Description
The U-62 Thriftway Too (on which the offered model is based) was a post-World War II unlimited hydroplane boat built in 1957 as a promotion for the Thriftway grocery stores. It was designed by Ted Jones and built by Les Staudacher and was known for its large, heavy “cabover” design with the driver sitting in front of the engine thereby giving greater visibility. It was 34 feet long and weighed around 7,800 pounds. The boat was designed to run on two engines but only ever used one Rolls-Royce Merlin V-12 aircraft engine. Despite being overshadowed by the more successful U-60 Miss Thriftway, the U-62 had a few memorable racing moments, most particularly at the 1957 Sahara Cup. In that tournament, the driver Brien Wygle beat the eventual winner, Hawaii Kai III, in the final heat. It later was painted white to match the scheme of the Miss Thriftway and continued to race in the late 1950s and early 1960s. It was destroyed in a racing accident when its rudder failed, causing it to hit a Coast Guard cutter and sink. Thriftway Too was salvaged but its hull was too badly damaged, so it was not restored.
Data and Statistics for the Original Boat:
1957
U-62 Thriftway Too (USA)
Thriftway Too, 1957 Apple Cup
Owner – Associated Grocers (Thriftway), Willard Rhodes (Seattle)
Designer – Ted Jones
Builder – Les Staudacher
Length – 34ft
Beam – 12ft 8in
Hull – cab-over
Detail – horizontal stabilizer on tail
Colours – mahogany, orange & cream
Power – V12-Rolls-Royce Merlin
Weight – 7,800
Drivers – Ted Jones & Brien Wygle
Best finish – 2
Condition: Generally good, with the usual wear, handling, oxidation, minor losses commensurate with use of a model boat. Its motor and mechanical parts are no longer fully functioning; thus it is sold just as a decorative and collectible object.
