SHOCKWAVE Blown Fuel Hydro Restoration

[Clank123]

Great nostalgia stories here love it.
Always thought Al Bush was one bad hombre…Crash while testing during the week then show up and win on the weekend. Before capsules and Flatbottoms ran nitro a different world.

He sure was.
I think he crashed 7 or 8 times and just kept coming back.
Like I said, I first met him in 1973 at Pfaff and Sowins shop.
I was there with Rich Thompson picking up the all aluminum injected Chevy for his Sanger “N’ Heat”.
He was the one that nicknamed me “Clank”! I was a big kid for 13 years old, already had a size 13 shoe, so I was a bit clumsy at times!
Raced with him for 2 years running the California races from Long Beach to Oakland.
He was a single guy, so boy did I get an education in both life and boat racing!

Anyway, Bush was a fireman as were Paul and Dave, so they did all of Al’s machining for his own boat “Iron Horse”.
The day I met him, he was over in the corner of the shop polishing pistons.
I was just a young kid, but I never forgot that.
When I started building my own engines from Jet Skiis to Blown Alcohol, I always hand polished the pistons.
Al was a mid pack contender in the “Iron Horse” but he sure showed his talent when he got the seat in the “Crazy Horse”!
Bush in the Iron Horse…

 

[Clank123]

Been a tough couple weeks being so close to being done.
Still waiting on polish and anodizing on the last parts that were used to get the motor and tank mounted.
Should have everything back at the end of the week.
The goal is to deliver the boat to the Museum on October 14th.
They are doing their Hall Of Fame induction dinner on the 8th of November and Gary Gabelich is going in to it.
His Wife will be there and the boat will be unveiled that night.
Should be a cool event.
Parts are laid out, engine is polished up,
Not a thing left to do.
I refurbished the original Snap-tite drain plugs for the sponsons and even the chute and cable are done.
Can’t wait to get it together for the last time!

 

[got wood]

Been a tough couple weeks being so close to being done.
Still waiting on polish and anodizing on the last parts that were used to get the motor and tank mounted.
Should have everything back at the end of the week.
The goal is to deliver the boat to the Museum on October 14th.
They are doing their Hall Of Fame induction dinner on the 8th of November and Gary Gabelich is going in to it.
His Wife will be there and the boat will be unveiled that night.
Should be a cool event.
Parts are laid out, engine is polished up,
Not a thing left to do.
I refurbished the original Snap-tite drain plugs for the sponsons and even the chute and cable are done.
Can’t wait to get it together for the last time! View attachment 1281693 View attachment 1281694

Awesome

 

[rrrr]

Been a tough couple weeks being so close to being done.
Still waiting on polish and anodizing on the last parts that were used to get the motor and tank mounted.
Should have everything back at the end of the week.
The goal is to deliver the boat to the Museum on October 14th.
They are doing their Hall Of Fame induction dinner on the 8th of November and Gary Gabelich is going in to it.
His Wife will be there and the boat will be unveiled that night.
Should be a cool event.
Parts are laid out, engine is polished up,
Not a thing left to do.
I refurbished the original Snap-tite drain plugs for the sponsons and even the chute and cable are done.
Can’t wait to get it together for the last time! View attachment 1281693
View attachment 1281694

It's really cool to see the details of your work. I also find it fascinating examining photos of the hull, seeing features of Hondo's attention to the little things.

The indentations on the sponsons for the drain plugs are a good example. They don't provide a competition advantage, yet the builders took the effort to recess the plugs probably just because it would eliminate snagging a crewmember and it looks cooler.

It's awesome to see the original chute mounted on the boat. The bag is faded from many days of sun and water, providing testimony of the countless passes made in anger.

Thanks for sharing the journey of Shockwave's restoration. This thread is one of my all time favorites. I hope we'll see more of them, documenting your skills and the passion to bring back memories of a great era in boating history.

 

[Clank123]

It's really cool to see the details of your work. I also find it fascinating examining photos of the hull, seeing features of Hondo's attention to the little things.

The indentations on the sponsons for the drain plugs are a good example. They don't provide a competition advantage, yet the builders took the effort to recess the plugs probably just because it would eliminate snagging a crewmember and it looks cooler.

It's awesome to see the original chute mounted on the boat. The bag is faded from many days of sun and water, providing testimony of the countless passes made in anger.

Thanks for sharing the journey of Shockwave's restoration. This thread is one of my all time favorites. I hope we'll see more of them, documenting your skills and the passion to bring back memories of a great era in boating history.

Yeah, been pretty lucky to have been involved in some great period correct restorations over the years.
I’m hoping there are still a few raceboats left that we can preserve.
It’s really neat that one of the Porky Pigs has come back to life and Mike Dade has the Smoke on the Water TFH looking good.
I’ve seen Billy’s work on Mike Donnell’s Unblown Fuel Flatbottom “California Shaker”.
I assume it’s getting rigged now.
Of course Gordy Jr. still has the Freedom that he drove to dominance in that era.
I know one of the original Hot Damn Hondos and the straight deck Black Power blown gas flat is back east waiting for the right person to step up and bring it back.
Let hope a few turn up somehow!
I am restoring the Hondo K69 Freedom to original at the first of the year.
While not overly historical bringing back any old raceboat is a good thing!
Be cool to find a 60/70s drag or circle boat out there somewhere.
Who knows!

 

[Clank123]

She’s Done!!!
Moving day to the Museum tomorrow morning.

 

[cofooter]

She’s Done!!!
Moving day to the Museum tomorrow morning.
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Damn! She's a beauty!! Another fine job, Dave!!!! Are you tempted to take it to the Manor and fire it up???

 

[Vamodsquad]

She’s Done!!!
Moving day to the Museum tomorrow morning.
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That's alot of trust in a 2"x 2" !

 

[brianwhiteboy]

@Clank123 Unbelievably bad ass!!!! Congrats on a beautiful restoration.

 

[JJ McClure]

That's alot of trust in a 2"x 2" !

 

[Vamodsquad]

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I saw that. I was just trying to make a joke !

 

[Sharp Shooter]

Just stunning Dave! Great job to all involved!

 

[Clank123]

I saw that. I was just trying to make a joke !

And ya did. Funny stuff.

 

[Clank123]

Just stunning Dave! Great job to all involved!

Thank you Sir.
Of course Billy should take a bow too!
Just an outstanding job and by him and his guys as well.
My “Carlsbad Crew” as always, was a huge help for me. Kinda hard to on top of the boat and under it at the same time.
I’ll post a few pictures of the delivery tomorrow.

 

[Willie B]

…Un artiste…for sure… I hadn’t read your last post… But upon reading that… Several artists for sure…

 

[rrrr]

It's beautiful and nasty at the same time. The polishing has thrust it into another dimension, you and the "minions" ( ) have done a great job.

Congratulations, Dave.

 

[Clank123]

On the road!

 

[Clank123]

 

[Sharp Shooter]

Dino pic.

 

[Clank123]

She’s home!
Been a fun build!
Onward!

 

[zhandfull]

She’s Done!!!
Moving day to the Museum tomorrow morning.
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Turned out awesome.

 

[got wood]

Turned out awesome.

So glad I found this boat congratulations guys

 

[Wheeler]

So glad I found this boat congratulations guys

Sounds like a story that needs to be told. Where did you find it and how long before it went to Sammons inc.? Did you buy it and if so what were your intentions at the time? Inquiring minds need to know.

 

[got wood]

Sounds like a story that needs to be told. Where did you find it and how long before it went to Sammons inc.? Did you buy it and if so what were your intentions at the time? Inquiring minds need to know.

As you know I’ve had a lot of boats I like to chase the rare ones with history this was a barn find in Northern California I’m originally from San Francisco my cousins were into flats in the day out of Walnut Creek she took 2nd at the world’s water skiing husband raced salten sea in the day would go up every summer and vacation with them I’m a surfer but good memories of boating Shasta clear lake ect guess It’s why I enjoy this sport

 

[timstoy]

Jim Dunn was inducted into the Lions Museum Hall of Fame last night and Johnna Dunn posted pictures on her Instagram page and the Shockwave Hydro is on display in the background!

 

[Clank123]

Yeah me and Billy were there!
I guess this ends the build thread!
She’s in her new home and everyone involved up there is really pleased with the outcome.
Super cool night last night.
Here’s a couple pictures from the event(I’ll post more on the Lions Dragstrip thread.
Thanks to all for riding along with me on this build.
Really enjoyed the comments and some of the discussions we got into on this thread.
I will continue to post on the progress of the Marine Stadium Display in the Lions Dragstrip Museum thread so check in there every once in awhile.
Thanks again for all the support!
Dave

 

[Sharp Shooter]

Jim Dunn was inducted into the Lions Museum Hall of Fame last night and Johnna Dunn posted pictures on her Instagram page and the Shockwave Hydro is on display in the background!

I caught him Saturday at the Nitro Revival

 

[timstoy]

Yeah me and Billy were there!
I guess this ends the build thread!
She’s in her new home and everyone involved up there is really pleased with the outcome.
Super cool night last night.
Here’s a couple pictures from the event(I’ll post more on the Lions Dragstrip thread.
Thanks to all for riding along with me on this build.
Really enjoyed the comments and some of the discussions we got into on this thread.
I will continue to post on the progress of the Marine Stadium Display in the Lions Dragstrip Museum thread so check in there every once in awhile.
Thanks again for all the support!
Dave View attachment 1300559 View attachment 1300560 View attachment 1300566

Yeah me and Billy were there!
I guess this ends the build thread!
She’s in her new home and everyone involved up there is really pleased with the outcome.
Super cool night last night.
Here’s a couple pictures from the event(I’ll post more on the Lions Dragstrip thread.
Thanks to all for riding along with me on this build.
Really enjoyed the comments and some of the discussions we got into on this thread.
I will continue to post on the progress of the Marine Stadium Display in the Lions Dragstrip Museum thread so check in there every once in awhile.
Thanks again for all the support!
Dave View attachment 1300559 View attachment 1300560 View attachment 1300566

Hope you and Billy got some recognition for all your hard work on the Shockwave! Lots of talent in that room. Dave, did Billy beat you in a arm wrestling contest!

 

[timstoy]

I caught him Saturday at the Nitro Revival

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Jim Dunn is a legend and very deserving of the Lifetime Achievement Awards he has earned. Jim is all business on race day and can be a little grumpy at times but he has a heart of gold. After the races are done Jim has a great sense of humor and tell stories for days! Jim has helped a lot of smaller teams with parts and advice that you won’t hear about.So honored to get to know Jim and the Dunn family on a personal level when my son was part of the crew.

 

[Wombat]

Great restoration, thanks for the photos and again, thank you for sharing.

 

[cofooter]

So KOOOOOOL!!!!!

 

[rrrr]

Jim Dunn is a legend and very deserving of the Lifetime Achievement Awards he has earned. Jim is all business on race day and can be a little grumpy at times but he has a heart of gold. After the races are done Jim has a great sense of humor and tell stories for days! Jim has helped a lot of smaller teams with parts and advice that you won’t hear about.So honored to get to know Jim and the Dunn family on a personal level when my son was part of the crew.

I hope you'll enjoy these shots I took at Albuquerque Dragway in 1970 or 1971. My Mom started driving me to the track on Sunday morning when I was 13, I stayed all day and she retrieved me around 5 PM. Check out the duct tape on the blower hat. The wind was blowing hard that day, and the track was surrounded by desert sand. Jim was racing Gene Snow (third photo below), one of the many match races I saw during those summers.

I have these photos because Mom collected my shots at the track and made a photo album that I still have. She did things like that just because she loved her kids. I can't begin to describe how much she did for me, and I miss her terribly.

 

[Clank123]

Hope you and Billy got some recognition for all your hard work on the Shockwave! Lots of talent in that room. Dave, did Billy beat you in an arm wrestling contest!

Haha!
Ni but we did about 3 hours of 16oz curls at a placed called Curlys Cafe in Long Beach right before the event!
I had a shredded Bicep tendon that needed to be attended to.
The doc also repaired a slight tear in my rotator cuff and took out a couple bone spurs and some arthritis.
Figured I’d get it done between projects.
So far so good!

 

[Clank123]

Jim Dunn is a legend and very deserving of the Lifetime Achievement Awards he has earned. Jim is all business on race day and can be a little grumpy at times but he has a heart of gold. After the races are done Jim has a great sense of humor and tell stories for days! Jim has helped a lot of smaller teams with parts and advice that you won’t hear about.So honored to get to know Jim and the Dunn family on a personal level when my son was part of the crew.

Of all the inductees the other night, he was pretty entertaining.
Jack Beckman, who was MCing the event said he’s still afraid of him!
I was talking to Carl Olson (Kuhl and Olson top fueler) and he said, back in the day, that Dunn got so mad at him once he drew back his fist, fortunately he didn’t follow through! Carl is not a big guy!