"New" 68 Firebird from East Coast of Florida

[Speedster]

Hey -

Just wanted to introduce myself. The car is a 1968 Firebird which is in the process of receiving a major Pro-Touring/G-Machine redo that I hope is worthy of your pages here. :hail:

Have been lurking on this site for quite some time and have picked up a lot of the ideas from the Member's Rides section as well as using some of the vendors that are supported here.

Have emailed Scott back and forth and he has already posted the ride page. :D
"Bruce Hanson's 1968 Firebird"

Note: These are "historical" photos. New ones will be posted as the project progresses.

I look forward to meeting many of you as time goes on.

-Bruce :)

P.S. Also, if you like "G" boats too, I can show you some cool photos of a twin turbine boat we play with.

[TravisB]

Welcome :)

[907rs]

Welcome aboard, Bruce! You've got quite the parts list there. Keep us posted on your progress.

On the topic of boats; I love 'em, so post those pics up when you get a chance.

[ProdigyCustoms]

Welcome from Orlando, Florida

ProdigyCustoms ( ProdigyCustoms.com)

[Speedster]

Here you go...

[XcYZ]

Glad to have you on board, Bruce. :thumbsup:

Wow, now that's a boat. :D

[Speedster]

Hey Prodigy -
Thanks and if you are going to be at PRI in Orlando, I may see you.
Sounds like you were up at Turkey Rod run.
I was up there Saturday talking to Kyle and Stacey at Detroit Speed.
I think I walked right by you near Chris McDonald's '69.
Were you under the white sunshade ?
-Bruce

[Ricochet]

Here you go...

Welcome aboard Bruce. Good luck with the Bird. That is one kick ass boat. The rear shot is awesome!!

[Speedster]

I always remember the cover photo of your car.
I think it was Popular Hot Rodding and it had an Australia article too.
Nice !
...and thanks for the welcome. :)

[Speedster]

... and you were the first one to reply. Thanks.

[jonny51]

Welcome Bruce,that is one bad ass boat you have there.There is a guy local to me that has some pretty crazy boats like that.He had(not sure if he still holds them)a few world records.I think his boat last I heard did 175+ mph.

[Speedster]

I wish it was my boat, but it is owned by a friend of mine and it is fun.
We took it to a race called Lake Of The Ozarks this year and all runs over a measured mile from a standing start were 200+ mph

Horsepower in any form is addictive.
Looking forward to the quickness of a car again. :)

[jonny51]

Damn 200mph thats insane!!
This boat is 46ft 4500 HP,I think is can crusie at these high speeds.http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-11/1102940/IMG_0173_edited.jpg

[Speedster]

Sweet boat. Very nice.

[907rs]

200+ in a boat? Bruce, my friend, you have bigger cajones than I......... :D

[Blown353]

Damn 200mph thats insane!!
This boat is 46ft 4500 HP,I think is can crusie at these high speeds.

Say, is that Mr. Arneson's boat?

Speaking of boats, here's myself a couple years back (LOL) in the blown alcohol hydro my Dad used to race, parked in front of the house. 200mph, on the water... in an open cockpit with an open faced helmet. :willy:

http://home.comcast.net/~swedish_chef/stuff/ForumStuff/me_in_boat.jpg

Our "family boat" was a Sanger flatbottom, 472 BBC with a tunnel ram, that would trap in the 124-126mph range. Good ski boat. :D

Boats are fun. I've had an urge to build a boat powered by a small turbine (Allison T63 would be a reasonable way to get started) but there's no place around my area anymore where the waterways are deserted enough to really have fun with it-- I don't just want to idle through 5mph zones with it.

Troy

[awr68]

Welcome!! Another 68, sweet!! :thumbsup:

My cousin races a flat bottom Cole T2 (I beleive) with a 500+ inch injected alcohol Merlin motor. His best time thus far is 130mph in the 1/4...he's thinking of strapping on a blower next year!

Again welcome!! Yep Speed's addicting!!

[jonny51]

Yeah Troy it is one of Arneson's boat's.I have seen it run on the bay and out on the Delta.It sounds like a 747 and needless to say it hauls ass!

[907rs]

Your folks neighbor had a nice El Camino.

Wow, did this thread get off topic!

[Kendall Burleson]

Welcome Bruce I'm a new member also these guys will help you out with info and help locating parts. :unibrow:

Kendall

[Speedster]

I appreciate the warm welcome and look forward to discussing ideas with you and at meeting you at future events. :thumbsup:
-Bruce

[jy211]

welcome...what part of Florida you in? Besides east... :D

[Speedster]

Melbourne, Florida. I am watching a boat running down the Intracoastal Waterway right now...but it's a little cloudy this morning.
Thanks for the welcome. :)

[jy211]

cool.... :thumbsup:

[TravisB]

We took it to a race called Lake Of The Ozarks this year and all runs over a measured mile from a standing start were 200+ mph


I am not too far from the lake of the ozarks...never knew they had a race like that though.....you are talking about the lake of the ozarks here in the midwest right?????

[Speedster]

Yes, it's the Lake Of The Ozarks, west of St. Louis.
The location is Shooters 21 in Osage Beach.
It's held the last weekend in August each year.
If you like horsepower, there are lots of engine combinations to check out :yes:
You should go next year.
-Bruce
Don't want to get too far off topic, so here is a link http://www.lakeshootout.com/

[Rybar]

Welcome Bruce, your friends boat is insane. I always thought Hydro's were the only boats to have turbine engines..... that my friend is sweet!

[Speedster]

Thanks for the welcome.
I REALLY like the paint job on your car. Your car is the one I had been looking at all along as the color template for mine. I compliment you on your choice. :)

As far as the insane boat, I will attach this last little photo. The other boat is definately the fastest. This one is the biggest. It is 55' long, 38,000 lbs, could run 130 mph, and when we put in the large fuel controllers, put out 4,200hp per engine for a total of 8,400 hp. In this shot is was going 112 mph, but we had on too small a prop and were hitting the rev limiters.
Oh, and it uses over 120 gallons per hour at idle and about 800 gph at full throttle :eek:
-Bruce

[Rybar]

I went on that website you posted, it must have been cool to have those boats competing against the Miss Bud Hydroplane. Do you have any pics of Miss Bud? I always loved that boat...

BTW: thanks

[Speedster]

Don't want to chew up space on this thread.
If you could, email me with your address and I can send you a video clip of Miss Bud making its final run at LOTO last year (2004)
-Bruce

[TravisB]

Yes, it's the Lake Of The Ozarks, west of St. Louis.
The location is Shooters 21 in Osage Beach.
It's held the last weekend in August each year.
If you like horsepower, there are lots of engine combinations to check out :yes:
You should go next year.
-Bruce
Don't want to get too far off topic, so here is a link http://www.lakeshootout.com/

cool...thanks :thumbsup:

[69MyWay]

Hey Prodigy -
Thanks and if you are going to be at PRI in Orlando, I may see you.
Sounds like you were up at Turkey Rod run.
I was up there Saturday talking to Kyle and Stacey at Detroit Speed.
I think I walked right by you near Chris McDonald's '69.
Were you under the white sunshade ?
-Bruce


Yep, they white sunshade housed Frank and the guys off and on all day.

Maybe next year your car will be ready to roll!

[Speedster]

...and I just wanted to say that your two cars are awesome.
I really enjoyed the story of the Camaro on your website and read it to my 6 year old gearhead son while sitting on my lap. I would love to have something special with him, like you had with your father doing the car. :thumbsup:
-Bruce