My New-Old Nordic

[fasttrackdriver]

I recently purchased this 21 foot 1972 Nordic. I have not had much success finding out anything about it. If anyone can tell me anything about this boat, I would greatly appreciate it. Even a model name would be beneficial.

Some general information about Nordic, in that era, would also be helpful. This boat has a big block Mopar. From the dyno sheet and stickers on the dry sump pan, I believe it was built in 2007 by Speed-O-Motive. Did Nordic give you a choice of power plant? Is this an aftermarket/custom application? I bought the boat for the engine, but now that I have it, I want to get it back on the water. If there are issues with systems like the V-drive, will I be able to get parts?

"fasttrackdriver" is my YouTube channel name. The Fast Track Amphibian is sitting in my sister's garage, retired like me. The video from "The Gadget Show", a British production, is a good introduction to the FastTrack Amphibian and me. Search - "gadget show fasttrack amphibian" on YouTube.

 

[RiverDave]

Weirdly since Nordic has been around since the 60’s there doesn’t seem to be a ton of information out there on them.

RD

 

[fasttrackdriver]

I spoke to Nordic/Hallett boats. Nordic's former owner kept all the records from before the sale in 2005, so they were not much help. They recommended your members as the best resource for information on my boat.

 

[Gelcoater]

I spoke to Nordic/Hallett boats. Nordic's former owner kept all the records from before the sale in 2005, so they were not much help. They recommended your members as the best resource for information on my boat.

I don’t know anything about Nordics from that era.
I do know Chrysler had a marine division back then, and it’s entirely possible that engine could have been the original unit.
A 440 I’d guess? Unless there’s spark plug wires going into the valvecovers. In which case it’s worth more than the boat
@twocents might know more about the Nordic and the power package.

I don’t think Chrysler had a V drive? only an out drive but the v drive was pretty popular back then.
Wouldn’t be surprised if Nordic and many others married a v drive with a Chrysler as an option.
Good luck and post more pics!


“A dyno sheet and stickers on the dry sump pan” that caught my eye!
They weren’t dry sump back in the day. Sounds like someone put some time and money into it.

 

[fasttrackdriver]

Gelcoater,

I pulled up the floor and found that the V-Drive unit is missing. I really need to find someone that can look at the V-drive mounting brackets and tell me what goes there.

The engine is a 496-inch 440 Block connected to a reverse manual valve bodied 727 transmission. The way the motor is built I expect that the transmission has been built up as well.

From the Dyno sheet: The missing carburetor was a 1050 Holley with #96 jets in all four corners. Solid Roller lifters, Indy 440 Heads (Indy told me they had only sold Stage 1 heads to Speed-O-Motive in 2007, the year I believe the motor was built.) Horsepower peak 713 at 6100 RPM. Torque peak 683 at 4400 RPM.

It has Rewarder headers with what looks like MSD water injection controls.

The heads, intake manifold and valve train are definitely worth more than the boat, but I have other Mopar big blocks that I could stick in there, that aren't so radical. Assuming you were getting 600HP to the prop, it would be capable of more speed than I would be comfortable with.

I am wondering if the V-Drive failed. If it was original to the boat, 600 HP might have been too much.

In the next couple of days, I will get pictures and dimensions of the V-Drive compartment. It would be really nice to get this boat back in the water.

I hope @twocents can be of some help.

PS It would be nice to stumble on one of those engines that have the spark plug wire going to the valve cover.