 1960 Ted Jones 266 F Class hydroplane.
The F-333 Aqua Flyer, an original Ted Jones Gold Cup race boat with original 1955-56 Corvette 265 engine.
I hope you can understand the F-333 is a true work of art. It has been an honor to drive her especially with the folks who came along and crewed alongside.
The Aqua Flyer is a solid time tested hull and the motor is euphoric to say the least. I had the boat GPS 142mph on the Scioto River in Columbus, 2006. We have had the boat gone through by both Vance Whiteman and John Jenkins over the past three or four years and all hardware is in great shape. The second owner, Dave Nicholson is still the acting crew chief and knows EVERYTHING about the boat. He has been a super asset.
I will include the 1955-56 Corvette Hilborn fuel injected 265 all the spare parts I have including spare 265 heads, many original spare engine parts that are still in the original packaging, over a 1000 photographs, uniforms, hats, logo work, framed plans of the 266 hull, all the original engine notes, a HIGH J prop, contact with the original owner's son, a 19.5 Ted Jones 266 hull, new flat bed trailer with tool boxes, lifting slings and an original vintage life jacket.
The boat currently is located in Celina,Ohio.
In near-perfect condition, the Aqua Flyer is currently one of the most original of all vintage hydroplanes. The Aqua Flyer not only has a fascinating history, but can have exciting future as well.
A few cool tidbits:
• Originally from Huntsville, AL; owned by A.B. Treffer as Water Flyer F-33.
• Motor: 1955 Chevy 265 Corvette fuel injected alcohol engine, built for Durb King by Norm Berry, at Bob Schroeder’s engine shop in Buffalo, NY. Vic Edelbrock Sr. wrenched on this engine in the 1960s.
• Raced mid-sixties to 1971. Mothballed for over 35 years.
• Includes small museum of parts (including spare prop) in original boxes
and new trailer.
Here are a few more interesting points on the F-333. The original owner was Brough Treffer, a wingman to Pappy Boynton in the Baa Baa Black Sheep squadron in the South Pacific.
http://www.scuttlebuttsmallchow.com/winnia.html
He worked with Ted Jones upon returning and they built this boat in the late fifties. It was raced for about 5 years and I have many of those photos in my archives. Treffer worked for the CIA and was sent to Germany where he was involved in drafting the NATO Alliance agreement. If you notice all the European hydroplanes on my website, those came from David Treffer's collection from while the family tried to stay involved in the sport while abroad. David is very active in FEMA and have traveled to the Gold Cup with us in 2005. I have crates of information and original documentation from the boats past. Almost every piece of hardware still has the original packaging and marketing materials. The attached picture has the boat in a Thiokol Chemical Corp. ad. They are one of the companies the Treffer worked with and is still the company that make the bolster rockets for the current Space Shuttles.
The skid fin was drawn up Ron Jones Sr. in 2004 and is a key factor why this boat handles as good as she does. It was designed to have up to 20 degrees of inclination which is not necessary, but it's what Ron suggested. I will include the original blueprints.
In 2003, when I was looking for help with the boat, Ron Snyder offered to come out of retirement and drive again. This, coupled with the sound of a trailer fired alcohol motor, created a flurry of fans and video cameras whenever we ran. Ron is a close friend and have brought a great deal of interest in this boat. It's too bad we can't still race her as I would put up pinks on almost any vintage hydro.;)
The boat needs nothing and unfortunately, I will consider offers for this original beauty for much less than the cost a reproduction boat.
Boat motor trailer best offer.
Contact Kevin M. Klosterman kevink@columbus.com • 614-395-7547 |
