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The Squire ShopUnlimited Hydroplane
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It all started back in 1978...Then President and CEO, Bob Steil, of a chain of clothing stores based in Seattle called The Squire Shop was looking to replace the two old hydroplanes currently racing under the company banner with a brand new hull to campaign during the 1979 racing season.
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A payment of $73,000 was paid to well known boat-builder Norm Berg for the new boat.
A sister hull was built at the same time, by Norm Berg, for William Bennett and William Pennington of the Nevada based Circus Circus Enterprises (of the hotels & casinos by the same name).
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A young powerboat racer by the name of Chip Hanauer, son of hydroplane legend Stan Hanauer, was tapped to drive this new boat with the unusual tail feathers - coined Cathedral Wings due to its special shape.
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Jumping ahead...In 2003 an ownership group, Brown-Glenn-Laws, managed to locate and purchase the original hull so that it could be restored to its 1979 The Squire Shop livery and donated to the Hydroplane & Raceboat Museum.
The story of how the new ownership group acquired the hull is and interesting one and can be found at www.79squireshop.weebly.com
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A few years later, I was commissioned to create a limited edition cloisonne collectors pin series to help with the fundraising effort and to commemorate the restoration with all proceeds going to the boat restoration fund.
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This is the series of collector pins to commemorate the restoration of the 1979 The Squire Shop unlimited hydroplane.
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AVAILABLE AFTER RESTORATION COMPLETE
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Hydroplane & Raceboat Museum
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The Hydroplane & Raceboat Museum is home to many restored raceboats and hydroplane memorabilia. Behind the museum is a restoration shop where you will find the current project(s) underway. The museum is located in the Kent Valley at 5917 S 196th St, Kent, WA 98032.
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If you would like to purchase official memorabilia or to donate to the museum here is the link:
www.hydromuseumstore.org
www.hydromuseumstore.org
