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Frank Mcleod 7 litre Hydroplane

Posted: 21 Oct 2019, 15:34
by Wildwoody1
The Hull shown in the picture is probably the only Frank Mcleod Hydroplane built by the NZ guru on Australian soil:
It was constructed in Heyfield for Bob Graham and at the time was fitted out with an injected BBC.

The question for all you Collectors looking for an uncommon Boat is "Where is it now? "

Re: Frank Mcleod 7 litre Hydroplane

Posted: 23 Oct 2019, 11:47
by coddo
Hi all, this boat was called Bambi.
Frank wanted to build it wider like the GPs of the day, but Frank told me that Bob didn't want it to be on a tilt trailer. Bruce Ringer purchased it, and called it "The Wench". Ringer ran it with two four barrels on a tunnel ram, but it was never fast. Fast forward a few years, and Ian Dobbie and i bought it from Ringer, but never did anything with it. Then my brother Fish Coddington bought it and fitted a blown small block to it. Unfortunately Fish had a terrible accident in it when the right sponson tore off while going down the back straight at Yeronga. It was never repaired, and sold to a gentleman racer for one stubbie. I believe that all of the hardware was saved, and the wreck was dumped? Coddo.

Re: Frank Mcleod 7 litre Hydroplane

Posted: 23 Oct 2019, 14:30
by Wildwoody1
Thanks for the detailed response, Coddo I thought someone would know what happened to this Hydroplane.
The change in the Hull width may have been a reason for the hull failing to gain enough lift to perform as anticipated.
Another one has become nothing more than a memory.