Old NOA Roostertails and IOA Propwash

[MarkD]

An old freind was in town this weekend and he loves to go to second hand and antique stores so I took him around to a few places. We were in the basement of one store in the back corner and there in a display case I see the corner of of pile of small paper items, is something that looks like a propeller. I look closer and it appers to be a bunch of old NOA "The Rooster Tail" newsletters. I can't imagine what they are doing there and figure I probably know whose they were as the address was usually stamped on these with one of those old dog tag like stamping type address machines. I have them open the case and to my astonishment, there are 5 Rooster Tails from the late 60's and early 70's - and one IOA Prop Wash (Indiana Outboard Assn) all addressed to Leonard Keller. As some of you have seen from other posts on this forum, my brother and I worked for Leonard in the late 60's and early 70's so its possible my brother even brought these in from the mail box to him. Leonard always ran little ads in these club newsletters advertising hardware and speedos so he had a lot of them. What are the odds ? Someone must have found these at some garage or estate sale. Lots of cool old news, race results and records - British Anzani ads from Bill Tenney, Quincy Welding ads, Gentex life jacket ads, Seebold and Hopkins prop ads - just like old times.

I will take shots of these and post them this week.

Mark

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e4/markdemaray/102_2804.jpg

[Danny Pigott]

We all know Johnny Cash, (center). Jerry Peterson an his 6 banger Merc. and Marchetti (right). Who 1s 66. The IOA pic looks like Hedland but who? I would Love to have some pre 1970 Roster Tails even copies

[Mark75H]

Danny, I have a dozen or two issues. Some are scanned and I can post them when I get time. I have that one with Johnny Cash on the cover.

[F-12]

Jimmy Aderholt.

[MarkD]

F-66 is indeed Jimmy Aderholdt of Jacksonville, Alabama - got his pic on the cover for going 100 mph at the North-South Championships in Burlington, NC June 17-18, 1972. The other cover photo of the June 1969 issue says Hales Boatel - Claytor Lake - site of the North-South Pleasure Boat Championshps. The IOA cover says its Floyd Leach from Owensboro, KY in action - looks like a Champ Hot Rod and a Hedlund-like copy. No year noted but it talks about running record race on Saturday May 15 - so would likely make it 1971.

The Johnny Cash issue is September 1969 and says its Marshall Grant and his fellow members of the Johnny Cash show that played the Governors Cup race in Lexington, TN.

Mark

[Danny Pigott]

I did not read the fine print. I remember Floyd, from around 1971 he ran Hot Rod's, an if I remember right get this, He pulled his race boat trailer with a Pink Cadillac Hurst. If this was ever done before or after I have never seen it. I have pic of just part of the Hurst at Knoxville Tn somewhere.

[Smokin' Joe]

I did not read the fine print. I remember Floyd, from around 1971 he ran Hot Rod's, an if I remember right get this, He pulled his race boat trailer with a Pink Cadillac Hurst. If this was ever done before or after I have never seen it. I have pic of just part of the Hurst at Knoxville Tn somewhere.

There's a picture in The Jan 2010, issue of The Antique Outboarder of someone running the 'Ring of Fire' runabout/Quincy 4 cyl. at an AOMCI meet.

[Master Oil Racing Team]

The Roostertail with Jimmy on the cover may the the very last one with a picture and more than just a couple of pages. They deleted the color to save money.

[Gene East]

There's a picture in The Jan 2010, issue of The Antique Outboarder of someone running the 'Ring of Fire' runabout/Quincy 4 cyl. at an AOMCI meet.

That would be Artie Neadeck from Quincy, IL. Artie never worked at Quincy Welding, but he spent a lot of time there as the neighborhood kid with a dream of someday growing up to be a boat racer.

Artie was a successful MOD driver and he has some of the finest Quincy Welding history on display in his mobile museum.

Marshall Grant was very impressed when he saw the "Ring of Fire" replica that Artie built.

[MarkD]

He pulled his race boat trailer with a Pink Cadillac Hurst. If this was ever done before or after I have never seen it.

We had a black hearse that we used to pull the Craig Craft trailer and boats with in the mid 1970's - we used it for most all of the local races. It had all of the curtains and decorum still in place - and in fact, first came with the cast aluminum funeral home name in the window. We got it from Morrie Shuman - whose kids ran J's and we did all of the work on their stuff - and he ran a chain of funeral homes at that time. He made us take the funeral home name out of the window - but we had a great time with that hearse. Sure raised a lot of eyebrows. Plus, it could double as a second ambulance in case the need arose - although, mercifully it never did.

Mark

[Gene East]

We had a black hearse that we used to pull the Craig Craft trailer and boats with in the mid 1970's - we used it for most all of the local races. It had all of the curtains and decorum still in place - and in fact, first came with the cast aluminum funeral home name in the window. We got it from Morrie Shuman - whose kids ran J's and we did all of the work on their stuff - and he ran a chain of funeral homes at that time. He made us take the funeral home name out of the window - but we had a great time with that hearse. Sure raised a lot of eyebrows. Plus, it could double as a second ambulance in case the need arose - although, mercifully it never did.

Mark

Louis Williams from Beaumont, TX was the fastest mortician I ever knew.

Don't know if he ever drove his hearse to a race or not, but it's rumored he used to visit friends in the hearse.

He was considerate enough not to back into the driveway.

Louis was very competitive in A-B Runabout during the 60's and 70's. He is still living in the Beaumont area.

Joe Rome occasionally posts updates on Louis here on BRF

[Master Oil Racing Team]

Louis was competitive from the 50's to the 80's Gene.:cool: Now that you mention the story of Louis visiting friends in the hearse Gene...I will tell one that Joe Rome told me that is posted somewhere else, but deserves retelling.

Papa Smith made Louis' props and one day Louis called R. Allen to tell him he would be coming to Shreveport. I don't remember whether he was bringing props to be reworked, picking up a prop, or both of the above. Anyway....Mama Smith got on the line and asked..."Could you bring your hearse and park it in the driveway? I want the old biddies to have something to talk about.":D

[jrome]

Wayne told the story right ,SHE ALWAYS TOLD LOUIS TO BACK IT IN. She loved for him to do it.

[Gene East]

I stand corrected. That is too funny!

Thanks Wayne and Joe. You've just listed three TRUE "Legends of Boat Racing" in one short posting

[Gene East]

I doubt if anyone who is a regular reader or contributor to this web site knows Louis Williams better than Joe Rome.

Perhaps he will share some of his favorite stories with us.

Louis is retired now, but I never thought him to be typical of the perceived undertaker personna.

I'm sure he was very professional in his dealings with his clients, but Louis loved to have fun.

I remember a weekend race near Beaumont, Louis invited Chris to have the QW team check out of the hotel before coming to the race site on Sunday and after the race come to his ambulance service facility to take a shower before heading back to Quincy.

In those days it was common for funeral homes to also provide ambulance service and Williams Ambulance Service was top notch.

Louis had a separate 24/7 facility for his ambulance drivers with all the amenities of a fire department with kitchen, bunk room, rec room, showers etc.

After we had showered and changed clothes, Louis gave us a tour of the funeral home including the embalming room.

After the tour Louis said, "Almost makes you want to die doesn't it"?

No, Louis not quite.

Joe, next time you talk to Louis, say hi from all his old boat racing friends.

[geodavid]

One of the greatest runabout drivers. Wayne, I thought he had a converted hearse as the ambulance at a Beaumont race? Hey Joe, how about some stories about Louis's frugality? He is legend. You used to tell a pretty funny one about spark plugs? Hope Louis is in good spirits? Please tell him that we all miss him!