WILGOLD II was built in 1924 at John Hacker’s plant in Mt Clemens Michigan for brothers Jack & Reggie Williams, to race in the 1924 Gold Cup. In 1926 a bizarre event caused her to be gifted to a friend, Roy Keys, the President of the Curtiss Airplane & Engine company. She was repowered with a Curtiss engine , renamed CURTISS WILGOLD III and raced by Keys for many years, covering herself with trophies and honors across the country.
Mark Mason went on a search for CURTISS WILGOLD III in the 1970’s and discovered that she had been destroyed decades before. Along the way, Mason learned that she shared her Hacker lines with EL LAGARTO, who’s lines Mason eventually acquired. This placed her high on his list of important racers that should be built again one day.
Now 85 years later, she is still a legend in the Buffalo area. The original families have come out to see the ghost of their grandfathers prized racer. She is truly mesmerizing to all who see her.
Accurate to her lines, this historic reconstruction has the strength of hull, massive outboard rudder and powerful modern V8 offshore racing engine to give breathtaking performance and the durability to last a lifetime. Every trip across the Lake will leave all feeling like Gold Cup Champions.
| SPECIFICATIONS | |
| Designer /year: | John L. Hacker, 1923 |
| Original Builder: | John L. Hacker, 1923 |
| Hull Style: | Gold Cup Racer – Multiple Step Hydroplane |
| Colors: | Mahogany with Gold Leaf Graphics |
| Length: | 26 Ft |
| Beam: | 6 Ft |
| Weight: | 3400 Lbs. |
| Engine: | 604 Cubic Inch GM V8 Offshore Racing Engine |
| Performance: | Cruises @ 50 MPH, Top speed 70++ MPH |
| Materials: | Ribbon Stripe African Mahogany |
| Construction Details: | Vacuum Bag Triple planked Epoxy Cold Molded |
| Hardware: | Nickel Plated Cast Bronze |
| Dashboard: | Ribbon Mahogany & Vintage WWI Air corps Gauges |
| Instrumentation: | Nickel Cased Bevelled Glass Lenses |
| Steering Wheel: | Vintage Period Walnut Hacker Wheel |
| Upholstery: | Genuine Green Leather |
| Price: | $400,000. |
For more information, Mark Mason at 603-369-0042 or email info@newenglandboatandmotor.com.