1959 Lauterbach 'Miss Miami' Vintage Hydroplane

Your mode of transportation checklist: Learjet √; Helicopter √; Cars √; Trucks √; but what about a hydroplane?

We have the “hero boat” from the 1964 film, “Racing Fever.” This example is one of Henry Lauterbach's earlier creations, a 1959 Series 5L. It is just 18 feet from bow to stern and is currently powered by a Chevrolet 350-cubic-inch small-block V-8 engine with a carburetor and specially modified for marine duty.

It features a 266 Class hull that is fiberglass and wood construction and was discovered a few years back. It was apparent that this historic watercraft had quite a bit of racing history, for there were several layers of paint found that covered its original livery.

The hull was stripped down with the base layer preserved so it could be replicated in the restoration. Finished in red with hand applied gold trim, it carried the numbers F-3 and the name 'Miss Miami.' The boat's lone seat is finished in black vinyl and the wear on the right arm is testimony to the previous drivers' enjoyment of the craft. The boat includes a trailer to haul it with; no other vehicle is included.

Vintage hydroplane expert David Williams from the Hydroplane and Race Boat Museum in Kent, Washington inspected the craft and verified its authenticity. It was also revealed that this was the lead boat in the 1964 film 'Racing Fever,' a film of suspense and intrigue centered around the rough and tumble world of hydroplane racers. The boat and trailer do show signs of age but overall complete. We have a video of the boat starting and running but not on the water.

Since its restoration, it has competed in several vintage boat races on Lake Chelan in Washington state. Included in the sale is an original copy of the Racing Fever film's media kit and an original numbered movie theater poster featuring an illustration of the boat.

One of the legends of hydroplane boat building was the late Henry Lauterbach, who designed the 1967 World Champion Unlimited Hydroplane, Miss Chrysler Crew. Lauterbach started building race boats in the 1940s. No one ever complained about the quality of workmanship on a Lauterbach hull, which was always impeccable. He built more than 200 hydroplanes and all were hand-built with meticulous attention to detail. For sheer craftsmanship, Lauterbach was one of the all-time great “wood butchers.”

He will be remembered not only for his boat-building ability but also for his skill as a driver. During the 1950s, Henry was National High Point Champion in three different APBA inboard classes and was inducted into the APBA Hall of Fame in 1956. Henry retired from competition in 1963 and retired from full-time boat building in 2001, leaving his son, Larry Lauterbach, to continue with the family tradition as a driver and builder.

If you're looking for something to complete your transportation checklist, consider this vintage hydroplane from MotoeXotica Classic Cars. If you prefer your vehicles to be on water versus on land or if you collect eccentric vehicles, you should visit our showroom today.

VIN: WNZ6511DL767

This boat and trailer are currently located at our facility in St. Louis, Missouri. Current mileage on the odometer shows xx,xxx miles. It is sold as is, where is, on a clean and clear, mileage exempt title. GET OUT AND DRIVE!!!

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