About 10 years ago I traded a Chevy Cheyenne Super p/u for a boat that needed a lot of work but still seemed worth it. I got it from a friend of mine who had aquired at auctioin, but never found the time to work on it. It was an inboard with a V-drive set-up and a big block Ford. The paperwork that came with it said the boat manufacturer was unknown and my friend didn't know anything about the motor except that it was a Ford. With a little research I discovered the hull was an old "K type" racing hull. I pulled the motor so I could clean it up and see what the inside looked like. One of the first things to catch my eye was a casting mark on the block that read 66-427. Now, I had heard that the Ford Motor Co. and Carroll Shelby had deleloped a legendary 427 back in the 60's sometime, but I figured there was no connection. One day, my father-in-law stopped by while I was working on it and said "Oh yeah, that's a 427 c.i. sideoiler. I had on just like that in my '61 Ford p/u. I used to get speeding tickets all the time." Eventually, I got the motor and boat put back together. It came with a Predator carb and I left it that way. The first time I put it in the water, I had a couple of 100 yards of "No Wake" zone to get through, but without a choke set-up I had to feather the throttle to keep it going. So much for the "No Wake" zone. By the time I got it outside, the motor was nice and warm. I stood on it and I thought I was driving a rocketship instead of a boat! There was no getting up on a plane or monkeying with trim tabs. It went from zero to too fast in a couple of seconds. I started thinking 'Am I going too fast?' as images of boats flipping over backwards came to mind; like you see on T.V. When I looked behind me, there was no wake; just a white stripe from the prop wash. Now, I grew up around boats and the water and I know it seems like you are going faster on water. But, I also got a ski boat that does a comfortable 55 mph. And this was a hell of a lot faster than 55 mph. The rudder and double skagg steering set-up made it turn on a dime with a flick of the wrist. I guess the thing that impressed me the most was when you stepped on it, it was there. No hesitation, no sluggishness. Just raw torque and horsepower on demand. I've never driven an AC Cobra, but I would imagine it is something like that, only on water. It made me a believer out of me. I have since then retired the hull, mostly because of age. But that sideoiler never let me down. I've come to the point where I have to part with the motor. So, I need to find someone who will enjoy it as much as I have over the years. I am not sure what the fair market value is, so if someone can help with that information, I would appriciate it. Hats off to Carroll Shelby! This one's a winner!! Sincerely, Leonard Olexsy Las Vegas, NV calglsmn@yahoo.com
