Any Thing Challenger

**vnemous** · 10-09-2009, 05:29 PM

Hank, why the left hand steering in some of these challengers? My friends was that way, an I/O boat, and he had it moved. Any idea how many I/O's were made? His is a maroon 1977.

**M75** · 10-09-2009, 06:26 PM

Originally Posted by vnemous

Hank, why the left hand steering in some of these challengers? My friends was that way, an I/O boat, and he had it moved. Any idea how many I/O's were made? His is a maroon 1977.

Hi Mike, Everything we built during the "original Challenger days" was by order and therefore it was totally up to the customers choice. I personally have allways prefered right side...see the Fusion boat I built (my albums) which shows my preference for right sided. To answer the inboard question, the first was a white one for Mercury marine and the second was for a customer in Canada. The first was built for Mercury marine for testing purposes and that had a 4 cylinder Mercruiser, I think it was designated as a 470 and I think it was rated at only 170hp. My memory is a little weak on that because to me it was very uninteresting, especially since I am truly an outboard guy...The second, a burgundy hull, was very special,but the motor and drive was customer rigged and therefore I only built the boat itself and I never drove or rode in it. I am pretty sure that it is the boat that you have posts on in an earlier part of this thread. It was Mercruiser powered with a 482/500hp and TRS #2 speedmaster that initially ran in the mid eighties. We never built tooling for an inboard during the original Challenger years, that would come during the Shadow era. I personally did the deck modifications and building of these boats the pictures of the second of which I will upload my pictures shortly. Again my "inboard memory" is a little weak , but I can only remember these two clearly. Hank, M75

**fast fun 2** · 10-09-2009, 06:59 PM

Friend of mine has an origianl i/o 21..black and cream. Can be seen on page 1 i think.

**RobF** · 10-09-2009, 07:29 PM

is that the same boat that suffolk has today?

**M75** · 10-09-2009, 07:54 PM

Originally Posted by RobF

is that the same boat that suffolk has today?

Good question Rob, It would be 32 years old if it was...Good maintainence?...Quality boat?...I really don't know. If you find out I would love to hear. Hank-M75

**M75** · 10-09-2009, 07:56 PM

Here are the 1977 Challenger I/O with 482 MSSM #2 pictures I promised...

**amt2007s** · 10-09-2009, 07:56 PM

Originally Posted by RobF

is that the same boat that suffolk has today?

I believe it is.

**M75** · 10-09-2009, 08:09 PM

Originally Posted by amt2007s

I believe it is.

WOW That is pretty amazing. I wish I was still running...after all those years

**joneill** · 10-09-2009, 08:15 PM

Originally Posted by RobF

is that the same boat that suffolk has today?

yes it is, i spoke with a cop driving it one day, theres a long story behind it, lots of different motors over the years, so he told me

**M75** · 10-09-2009, 08:28 PM

Originally Posted by joneill

yes it is, i spoke with a cop driving it one day, theres a long story behind it, lots of different motors over the years, so he told me

Hi Jon, When you can share anything more about the long story, I would love to hear it, and try for a picture someday if oppurtunity arises, Thanks, Hank

**vnemous** · 10-10-2009, 07:24 AM

There is a Challenger down here at Trixies' Marina that was used for clamming up in Long Island originally. I will get down there and get some pics. The deck was removed and it has a stand up center console. The owner was telling me the cops up there also had them cause that was the only thing that could catch them when the went out at night.

**M75** · 10-10-2009, 09:37 AM

Originally Posted by vnemous

There is a Challenger down here at Trixies' Marina that was used for clamming up in Long Island originally. I will get down there and get some pics. The deck was removed and it has a stand up center console. The owner was telling me the cops up there also had them cause that was the only thing that could catch them when the went out at night.

Hey Mike, That whole clam poaching thing was huge at the time, and interestingly I was friends with one of the "legendary characters" Tony LiBaire. He and I had met when I was still working for John at Superboats. Tony had splashed an 18 foot Donzi hull and was building them and using one at night, much to the dismay of the local PD. It gave "them" the advantage to be succesful in their clandestine ventures. The Challenger's helped to balance the playing field. Another point of interest: The beautiful ivy covered brick structure shown behind the blue tandem seat M75 raceboat picture in my earlier posts as well as my avatar is where he built those Donzi based clam boats. This structure was originally the riding stables, entirely buit and finished inside with Hondouran Mahoghany, that were part of the Oakdale, LI Vanderbilt Estate. They were converted into condominiums a short time later after he moved out. That building sure had an interesting history that few people know about. I have long lost track of Tony...I wonder if anyone knows what ever happened to him (Tony LiBaire) ? Anybody know anything out here? Hank-M75

**41hat** · 10-10-2009, 05:05 PM

hi hank,
The challenger i owned might be of interest, i bought it in 1981 and regretfully sold it in 1985. it was a 1978 hull rigged for twins. The cockpit was completelty upholstered over much like the m75, it had fuel tanks on either side on the floor and the driver navigator stood behind each other on the bottom of the boat where the gas tank would normally go. it had maroon sides and cream deck and bottom, team challenger was written in large letters down each side. I bought the hull only and put a interior in it and rigged it with a single 235 johnrude
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