Gary Finlay "Sort Of" 1/16 Atlas...

[785boats]

That's a beautiful looking piece of work.
A build log would be a good thing to see.
So, will it be your favorite, the Latimer Lodge?

Cheers.
Paul.

[Pitts]

That's a beautiful looking piece of work.
A build log would be a good thing to see.
So, will it be your favorite, the Latimer Lodge?

Cheers.
Paul.

Thanks Paul.
I'll get pics as I go, and note to self - "use good quality paints" this time!!!
Not sure whether it will be Latimer Lodge or not??? I had given it a layer of epoxy and light cloth, and as you can see from the pic, it became the test dummie for different primers, so it will not have the nice wood-grain deck which I would like if it was Latimer Lodge. I could just paint it the wood-grain color I suppose????

[785boats]

So the Midnight Miss is now a prime candidate then. If you can find those colours.

[olwarbirds]

Now thats purty https://www.google.com/search?q=Midn...2F%3B736%3B552 Dont think you will have any probs copying those colors, some good pics available... DJ

[Pitts]

So the Midnight Miss is now a prime candidate then. If you can find those colours.

I thought about it, but might just go with the "Sudden Impact" scheme which was primarily red. Only problem is, I don't have any pics of Sudden Impact to get the lettering etc. I might try and contact John Diamante (past owner) and see if he has any pics. I'm surprised there is nothing on the net cos it was a pretty impressive boat at the time...

[Pitts]

Now thats purty https://www.google.com/search?q=Midn...2F%3B736%3B552 Dont think you will have any probs copying those colors, some good pics available... DJ

Yes, she is nice isn't she!!! If I cant get pics of when she was "Sudden Impact", I might give it a go.
The Diamante's workshop was less than a kilometer from where I lived, so I used to pass her every day. It's been a bit of a dream to model Latimer Lodge and Sudden Impact since I was 16 or so, so I need to get that out of my system first!!!

[Doug Smock]

Very nice work James all around!

[Pitts]

Very nice work James all around!

Thanks Doug, it's been an enjoyable project. Hopefully many more to come...

[olwarbirds]

I was researching Sudden Impact and came across a site that lists vintage race boats for sale, I found Midnight Miss. It's for sale only $68,000.00 break open the piggy banks guys... http://www.vintageraceboatshop.com/TradingDock.htm that boat sure has the racing history.... DJ

[Pitts]

I was researching Sudden Impact and came across a site that lists vintage race boats for sale, I found Midnight Miss. It's for sale only $68,000.00 break open the piggy banks guys... http://www.vintageraceboatshop.com/TradingDock.htm that boat sure has the racing history.... DJ

Yes, wouldn't that be nice sitting in the garage!!!
You can also see it in this video in it's blue (Bluebird) scheme when Gina Campbell drove it to a world record, only to be beaten again by the Latimer Lodge!!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nif-R0Us-NE

[olwarbirds]

I think we should do a joint effort Aus and US. Clean out the bank accounts boys lets buy a boat ! ... I would really like to feel what its like to do over 120mph on the water, I've done 115mph and believe me, its a bit of a butt clincher ! ... tks for posting that vid, really enjoyed it... have to say I like the Midnight Miss scheme the best .... I do see one of these hulls as another winter build... DJ

Send donations for boat purchase too [email protected]

[785boats]

Hey Pitts.
How small is this World.
We have a guy in our club that did a lot of fiberglass work on the Midnight Miss & is good friends with Graham Goddington.
I mentioned to him in passing, yesterday, that you were looking for some photos of the boat before it came to Australia. Unfortunately I couldn't remember the name you were looking for.
Anyway, Col said he would ask about it, because Graham is back in the country at the moment.
Well Col just rang me & Graham said he would look up some contacts in NZ & see what he could come up with for you.
He wanted to know which version you were after & mentioned Scorpio, Crazy Horse, East West Express & Bluebird. But Sudden Impact wasn't mentioned.
I'll send col an email & he'll get in contact with Graham. Then we'll see what comes up.

Cheers.
Paul.

[Pitts]

Hey Pitts.
How small is this World.
We have a guy in our club that did a lot of fiberglass work on the Midnight Miss & is good friends with Graham Goddington.
I mentioned to him in passing, yesterday, that you were looking for some photos of the boat before it came to Australia. Unfortunately I couldn't remember the name you were looking for.
Anyway, Col said he would ask about it, because Graham is back in the country at the moment.
Well Col just rang me & Graham said he would look up some contacts in NZ & see what he could come up with for you.
He wanted to know which version you were after & mentioned Scorpio, Crazy Horse, East West Express & Bluebird. But Sudden Impact wasn't mentioned.
I'll send col an email & he'll get in contact with Graham. Then we'll see what comes up.

Cheers.
Paul.

Wow, how good is that!!!! It's the "Sudden Impact" scheme, which if my memory serves me correct, was 1986 (?). This is when the boat was owned by John Diamanti (not 100% sure of spelling) in Blenheim New Zealand. He owned a Mechanic workshop in Main Street. I believe this was the scheme before the "Bluebird" scheme, but I stopped following the boat scene in the late 80's, then left the country early 1990, so didn't get to see the bluebird scheme. They should know John as he has been in the boat scene for many years over there. Actually, I remember it was 1986 because it was "Sudden Impact" at the event where Peter Knight senior set the world GP speed record in "The Boss" at Lake Ruataniwha. John blew an engine, and Peter Knight snr or jnr loaned him an engine to complete the weekend. I clearly remember watching the very quick engine change.
Any info you are able to dig up will be greatly appreciated, and I would owe you a beer or few!!!!

[Pitts]

Here's some compulsory viewing!!! There's a good looking specimen starting at 1min 48sec, with other guest appearances throughout!!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t24MNk1ccr8

[785boats]

Well Col got back to me late yesterday after speaking to Graham again about Sudden Impact
Unfortunately even after speaking to John Diamanti he couldn't get any images. Graham had pieced together a history of the boat & couldn't find anything on Sudden Impact.
Sorry buddy.
But if you do find anything. I'm sure Graham would love to hear from you. You can contact him on his facebook page anytime.

Here's the latest on the boat.
It's in winter storage over in the states at the moment.
Graham is back in Australia building a new engine to take over to the States & race the vintage circuits again next year.
The boat's not sold yet but there are a couple of interested parties.
One guy wants it but can't fit it in his "shed" because of the other dozen or so boats that he has collected. But they are going to build a bigger shed soon.