Ron Hill
01-11-2008, 11:57 AM
J. A. Lon Stevens by Rich Fuchlin
<HR style="COLOR: #000000" SIZE=1><!-- / icon and title --><!-- message -->J.A. Lon Stevens started racing alky outboards in the 1950's. In 1960 a racing accident seriously handicapped lon, forcing him to give up his truck-driving career. Needing a new career, Lon began to build a machine shop in his garage.
This machine shop served two purposes, rehabilitation for his hand, which was damaged in the 1960 crash, and his sole source of income. The fruits of countless hours spent in his shop working on racing outboards can be seen throught the record books.
Lon's first APBA achievement was in 1962 when he set the C Service Runabout record at 59.027 mph. From 1966 on the F Racing Runabout record book would be laden with the mark of Lon Stevens, known for his 60 and 66 cubic inch "Full House Six". The current 1100cc Runabout record stands at 102.705 mph.
Lon, essentially a self-taught man, continued the racing development of the cross-flow scavenged Mercury when O.F. Christener changed to the Quincy-Loop scavanged design. Those "Full House" engines were most recongizable by their removable heads and three additional carburetors to the side of the crankcase. There are many champions that have utilized Lon's engines to achieve success.
Aside from working on engines, Lon was also involved in local politics. Lon was the chairman of Region 11 and was responsible for initiating the 44 cubic inch Mercury Class in the PRO category, currently fun a Formula E in the Modified Division. Lon also had a good eye for hydroplane design. Working with his son, the late John F. Stevens as his driver, they were able to overcome the high center of gravity problems inherent to the in-line Mercury. The current kilo record for 1100CC Hydro is 122.376, set by John F. Stevens, twenty years ago, stands as a tribute to father and son...
Written by Rich Fuchlin July 8, 2001...Published without permission...I'm assuming he won't mid...
Lon and Rich go way back..Lon is a great guy, a real throw back to the OLD DAYS!!!!!
Jeff Akers supplied this image:
<!-- / message --><!-- attachments -->
<FIELDSET class=fieldset><LEGEND>Attached Images</LEGEND>http://www.boatracingfacts.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=1785&stc=1&d=1108422259
</FIELDSET>
I wanted to add these pictures... No one ever loved the Merc Inline Six "F" as much as Lon Steven did...Well, maybe Rich Fuchlin, but Lon is the one that made those motors "CRY"...Anyone that ever heard a Stevens Six "CRY" loved it...It wasn't noise, it was MUSIC to the ears.
Lon seems to be doing Ok down in Florida, hope he makes the APBA Honor Squadron this year (2008)... This color picture is of Lon and his wife Gladys with the Ernie Millot Trophy. Ernie was killed in a F Runabout. His widow, Misey, later married Bud Widget...Not why he got the trophy, but maybe someone will remind me what this trophy is all about.
ADD: In the 1969 picture, that is Rich Fuchlin to the right, but don't recall who is to the left. Marble???
<HR style="COLOR: #000000" SIZE=1><!-- / icon and title --><!-- message -->J.A. Lon Stevens started racing alky outboards in the 1950's. In 1960 a racing accident seriously handicapped lon, forcing him to give up his truck-driving career. Needing a new career, Lon began to build a machine shop in his garage.
This machine shop served two purposes, rehabilitation for his hand, which was damaged in the 1960 crash, and his sole source of income. The fruits of countless hours spent in his shop working on racing outboards can be seen throught the record books.
Lon's first APBA achievement was in 1962 when he set the C Service Runabout record at 59.027 mph. From 1966 on the F Racing Runabout record book would be laden with the mark of Lon Stevens, known for his 60 and 66 cubic inch "Full House Six". The current 1100cc Runabout record stands at 102.705 mph.
Lon, essentially a self-taught man, continued the racing development of the cross-flow scavenged Mercury when O.F. Christener changed to the Quincy-Loop scavanged design. Those "Full House" engines were most recongizable by their removable heads and three additional carburetors to the side of the crankcase. There are many champions that have utilized Lon's engines to achieve success.
Aside from working on engines, Lon was also involved in local politics. Lon was the chairman of Region 11 and was responsible for initiating the 44 cubic inch Mercury Class in the PRO category, currently fun a Formula E in the Modified Division. Lon also had a good eye for hydroplane design. Working with his son, the late John F. Stevens as his driver, they were able to overcome the high center of gravity problems inherent to the in-line Mercury. The current kilo record for 1100CC Hydro is 122.376, set by John F. Stevens, twenty years ago, stands as a tribute to father and son...
Written by Rich Fuchlin July 8, 2001...Published without permission...I'm assuming he won't mid...
Lon and Rich go way back..Lon is a great guy, a real throw back to the OLD DAYS!!!!!
Jeff Akers supplied this image:
<!-- / message --><!-- attachments -->
<FIELDSET class=fieldset><LEGEND>Attached Images</LEGEND>http://www.boatracingfacts.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=1785&stc=1&d=1108422259
</FIELDSET>
I wanted to add these pictures... No one ever loved the Merc Inline Six "F" as much as Lon Steven did...Well, maybe Rich Fuchlin, but Lon is the one that made those motors "CRY"...Anyone that ever heard a Stevens Six "CRY" loved it...It wasn't noise, it was MUSIC to the ears.
Lon seems to be doing Ok down in Florida, hope he makes the APBA Honor Squadron this year (2008)... This color picture is of Lon and his wife Gladys with the Ernie Millot Trophy. Ernie was killed in a F Runabout. His widow, Misey, later married Bud Widget...Not why he got the trophy, but maybe someone will remind me what this trophy is all about.
ADD: In the 1969 picture, that is Rich Fuchlin to the right, but don't recall who is to the left. Marble???