Restoring a Gar Wood 28-55 and need your help!

howitzers · 08-24-2013, 01:13 PM

I am restoring a famous old racing boat which raced on Winnipesaukee in the 1930's-40's & 50's. She is a Gar Wood model 28-55 and originally had a Liberty V12 aircraft engine from WWI. Her name was WILD CAT IV and she raced at the Weirs and in Alton Bay, driven by Vinnie Callahan, owner of Channel Marine.

She may have been owned by Stearns Marine in Lakeport, Dexter Sheppard and/or GlenRoy Scott, but she definitely was owned by the Ken Clarke family of Varney Point in the '40's and early '50's when raced. She was then renamed CORSAIR and owned by the Fox family near Ellacoya. Photos of the restoration can be found on my website at newenglandboatandmotor.com.

I am looking for people around the Lake who might have old scrap books or photo albums showing the old races in that time period or knew any of the families mentioned above.

Feel free to contact me at [email protected]

08-24-2013, 01:13 PM	#1
howitzers Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Laconia, NH Posts: 3 Thanks: 4 Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts	Restoring a Gar Wood 28-55 and need your help! I am restoring a famous old racing boat which raced on Winnipesaukee in the 1930's-40's & 50's. She is a Gar Wood model 28-55 and originally had a Liberty V12 aircraft engine from WWI. Her name was WILD CAT IV and she raced at the Weirs and in Alton Bay, driven by Vinnie Callahan, owner of Channel Marine. She may have been owned by Stearns Marine in Lakeport, Dexter Sheppard and/or GlenRoy Scott, but she definitely was owned by the Ken Clarke family of Varney Point in the '40's and early '50's when raced. She was then renamed CORSAIR and owned by the Fox family near Ellacoya. Photos of the restoration can be found on my website at newenglandboatandmotor.com. I am looking for people around the Lake who might have old scrap books or photo albums showing the old races in that time period or knew any of the families mentioned above. Feel free to contact me at [email protected] Last edited by howitzers; 08-24-2013 at 01:34 PM. Reason: Added Photo