Four Restoration Projects Underway

January 29, 2025 - 6:32pm

Miss Spokane about to undergo restoration.
Photographer unknown

By Craig Fjarlie

Currently, there are four vintage Unlimited hydroplanes undergoing restoration in the Pacific Northwest. Each boat has a unique history and brought excitement to fans during its racing days. The boats are the third Miss Thriftway, the second Miss Madison, Miss Circus Circus, and Miss Spokane.

The Hydroplane and Raceboat Museum, in Kent, Washington, is restoring Miss Madison and Miss Circus Circus. Randy Muller owns Miss Madison, but the work is being done at the Museum. “We’re five years into it and we’re not halfway done,” says Museum Director David Williams. He is reluctant to predict a completion date. As anyone who has worked on restoring a hydroplane knows, unanticipated problems can result in delays. The boat is the Miss Madison that won the 1971 APBA Gold Cup in front of its hometown crowd on the Ohio River, and was the subject of the movie, Madison. Accordingly, it is a sentimental favorite of many hydroplane fans.

The Museum owns Miss Circus Circus. Built by Norm Berg in 1979, it was driven by popular pilot Steve Reynolds. “We’re working as hard as we can,” says Williams, adding, “It’s a restoration, not a replica.” The boat was built with a honeycomb bottom, which has been saved, in addition to the strut and various pieces of hardware. Miss Circus Circus was a design twin to The Squire Shop, which was restored two years ago. Williams is looking forward to seeing them run together again, perhaps in 2026.

The third Miss Thriftway, designed and built in 1959 by Ted Jones, is currently owned by Steve Hayden. He also owns Tahoe Miss, which was restored in 2023. Larry Hanson, who helped with restoration of Tahoe Miss, is working on Miss Thriftway. In its racing days, it was driven by Bill Muncey and won the APBA Gold Cup in 1961 and ‘62. Both of those years, the boat carried the name Miss Century 21, to promote Seattle’s World’s Fair.

A surprise addition to the list of restorations is Miss Spokane. The boat was designed by Ted Jones and built by Les Staudacher in 1956. It was a backup for Bill Boeing’s Miss Wahoo and Bill Waggoner’s Shanty-I, but in 1958 the city of Spokane, Washington, acquired the craft and entered it in competition with Dallas Sartz in the cockpit. The boat originally had a mahogany deck, but later it was painted a lilac color and was given the nickname The Lilac Lady. Other drivers included Norm Evans and Rex Manchester. When the city of Spokane finished its involvement with the boat, it sat out a couple of seasons before returning to action as Miss Eagle Electric, sponsored by Dave Heerensperger who went on to campaign his own boats with the Pay ‘N Pak name. The former Miss Spokane was then purchased by Jim Herrington who named it Miss Lapeer. Its lone victory occurred in 1966 at Sacramento, California.

More photos of the Miss Spokane that is about to undergo restoration. Photographer unknown

The restoration of Miss Spokane is taking place in Spokane. Leading the project is Pancho Simonson, whose late father, Kent Simonson, was team manager when the boat was actively racing. “We’re just getting started,” Simonson says. The sponsons were bolted on and they have been removed. “We’re cutting the bottom off now. It’s going to have an all-new bottom. We hope to save the frames.” Simonson is receiving help from Mark and Mitch Evans, and Tim Donery. Mark Evans, in particular, hopes he will eventually have an opportunity to drive the boat his father once drove. Mitch Evans is helping prepare a Rolls-Merlin engine, but he is also busy with his own boat, the vintage Unlimited Blue Chip.

The fact there are four Unlimited hydroplanes currently being restored gives fans something to anticipate. When vintage boats put on exhibitions between heats of an Unlimited race, they always draw the attention of spectators. The roar of their V-12 aircraft engines reminds long-term fans of the sound they enjoyed while growing up.

Tony Steinhardt Remembered

Norbert Anthony “Tony” Steinhardt, Jr., of Madison, Indiana, passed away in the early hours of January 1. He was 81 years old. Steinhardt lived his entire life in the Ohio River town. He founded Steinhardt Heating and Cooling in 1977, and served in the Army National Guard for 34 years, retiring with the rank of Colonel. Steinhardt was on the crew of Miss Madison and was crew chief when it won the APBA Gold Cup in 1971. “He managed the team. He was the brains of the operation,” explains Jak McCormick, the grandson of Jim McCormick, who drove the boat to victory that July day. Steinhardt also served as President of Madison Regatta, and remained involved for most of his life. “He was an advisor to me when I was President,” McCormick says. At the 2024 Regatta, Steinhardt was presented with a plaque in appreciation for his years of service. Although he was in declining health, he clearly appreciated the honor and enjoyed attending the event. He was an integral part of hydroplane racing in Madison.