High Bid: $ 10,000

1968 Mercury Molinari Racing Tunnel Boat Hydroplane Angelo Molinari and his son Renato hand built these boats from hand laid mahogany plywood, exclusively for Tunnel boat racing under contract with Mercury. Molinari dominated tunnel boat racing in the 60’s and 70’s. Mercury 1000 Tiger Thunderbolt BP engine and lower units. Original unrestored racing boat in exceptional condition perfect for vintage events. Complete with period correct ballast tank. Original Balbi trailer with Angelo Molinari Cantiere stencil. Serial # 2399783 Most of the boats, if not all, of this period of racing suffered serious damage and repairs. This is an exceptional example as built by Molinari, free of damage. Matching numbers untouched factory BP engine and lower unit. Original tag from factory on cylinder head bolt, original set of spark plugs, original Thunderbolt wires, extremely rare BP lower unit with shifting gear case. Very few survive at all, none in this superb of condition, Engine has never been disassembled. Number 60 out of 99 ever produced. 6200-6500 rpm operating range In the hands of a club racer, these boats went 60-70 mph, a professional could take it up to 80 mph. Renato himself was frequently clocked at 90 mph in this same model. From a private collection held for many years. 18’ Hull. An unbelievable time capsule.