Panic Mouse Restoration

[Dave Sammons]

Should have the Panic Mouse back from Billy by the end of the month and I can begin my part on the restoration.
Thought I would post a few pictures of what the boat looked like back in the day. This is the boat that Caselli ran from 1969 to 1972. He set the Blown Fuel Flatbottom record at over 158mph with this boat. It was the only one that he didn't flip.
The boat was sold to Bob Morgan in Kansas who raced it for a a year or so in BFF and then it was retired.
The current owner Mike Faulconer lives in Missouri and bought the boat from Morgan.

 

[Dave Sammons]

When the boat first came to me...first thing I did was check to be sure we had the real thing...gave me goosebumps after I got little of the paint off!

 

[Dave Sammons]

OH...forgot these 2 pictures...
Bob Morgan bought the boat complete.
Casell switched to a 426 style engine in the next boat.

 

[Dave Sammons]

Then it was sent to Kevin at KMG for new floors and stripping...

 

[Dave Sammons]

And here is what she looks like today...
As usual, Mr B. did an outstanding job.
Much time and effort went into matching everything from original including the lettering and sponsors....

 

[Dave Sammons]

While it's been at Billy's I have been building the 392 for it.
It will run on 85% nitro.
Here's a shot of the 1971 version of the engine and what it looks like now.
My goal of course is to match everything right down to the nuts/bolts and clamps that were used originally.
quick plug for the guys at the Blower Shop...I don't know who any of you use , but these guys are just awesome to deal with...next time you need anything to do with a blower, give them the business...yo won't be disappointed!!

 

[Dave Sammons]

V-Drive is also restored to original...

 

[DtB]

Very cool thanks for posting saw it run in Oakland

 

[Flyinbowtie]

Damn Dave that paint work came out very nice. This is going to be one sweet resto when all done. Really looks awesome, love the thread.

 

[Kachina26]

Nice, thanks for sharing. :thumbsup

 

[AJDEAN955]

And here is what she looks like today...
As usual, Mr B. did an outstanding job.
Much time and effort went into matching everything from original including the lettering and sponsors....

i must say that is a very appropriate amount of flake!:bowdown:

 

[Dave Sammons]

Got the tank mounted.
The Moon mounts no longer come in anything but full circles, so these needed to be halved.
Caselli had a very unique way of doing it.
He used 2 Stainless Steel T bolt clamps, cut the nut off one and the T bolt off the other, machined the ends to fit over the 5/16 mounts and bolted them through.
Seen alot of Moon Tanks mounted...think this is about the stoutest, cleanest way I've seen!

 

[TBI]

Awesome work Big Dave! :thumbsup


......that Bling guy does OK too

 

[mbrown2]

Wow...:thumbsup

 

[KENDOG689]

Saw that boat run a couple of times in Long Beach.Bitchen resto.:thumbsup

 

[V.O.R.F]

this boat has made me interested in classic's and V drives all at once.

what a cool machine.

 

[Dave Sammons]

Awesome work Big Dave! :thumbsup


......that Bling guy does OK too

Hey Bilgie, my brother.
Yeah, I guess he's OK...
Hope all is with you...read somewhere you going through a procedure...Praying that all goes well my friend!
Dave

 

[kiwi77]

Wow...

Very nice restoration. Used to watch Ray run that boat as a kid at Long Beach marine stadium. What a treasure you'll have when completed.

JR

 

[westair]

Very nice!:thumbsup ... hard to believe someone would have painted over the original gel, but that must be another story .... never will there be any drag boats as exciting as these BFF's were to watch!

 

[Dave Sammons]

Got the boat back last week...AWAAAY we go!!!!!
-All underwater gear installed except for the strut.
-All hardware will be Grade 8 as original(except for stainless thru hull stuff).
-Steering wheel assy installed, was able to restore original flange bearing, steering gear,safety collar and wheel hub. Steering post is Nicson as original, donated by Steve Whitney(Roaddogg)
-Rails are new but sized and installed exactly as original. Stringer Backing Plates are original. Was able to utilize original holes in stringer.
-Up/Down pedal completely rebuilt. Interesting that the whole assembly is built from an old 1inch propshaft. The gears to sync the pedals are 392 Hemi Crank timing chain gears.
-Nicson Steering freshly rebuilt and returned to "as cast" finish. Note...Never seen any from that era with 3/8ths bolts for the pulleys to rotate on, usually 5/16ths. Musta been custom?

 

[Dave Sammons]

Very nice!:thumbsup ... hard to believe someone would have painted over the original gel, but that must be another story .... never will there be any drag boats as exciting as these BFF's were to watch!

Boat was actually painted twice, with plans to turn it into a Lake boat.
Sure is great to see it coming back to life as a part of Drag Boat history!:thumbsup:thumbsup

 

[Dave Sammons]

Next up...Plate Assembly!!

 

[racerden]

God Dave, congrats! In 1974 I campaigned my XH511 in NDBA's UGF and admired Caselli, Brendell and crew to the hilt. Great job bruddah, totally top shelf stuff!

 

[Dave Sammons]

God Dave, congrats! In 1974 I campaigned my XH511 in NDBA's UGF and admired Caselli, Brendell and crew to the hilt. Great job bruddah, totally top shelf stuff!

What was the name of your boat?

 

[fmo24]

Not sure if it was same boat but when he ski raced a flatty it was
"passing gas"

 

[rioracr]

great looking redo, use to watch Ray and Black and at the time many others run at the beach, got me into the love of flats back in 72 to this day, thanks for the pics....:thumbsup

 

[shawngr]

Like I said over on PB, Hands down one of the best restorations I've ever seen. :thumbup:

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[Dave Sammons]

 

[Dave Sammons]

Well...you guys know me...tryin to get everything right...
Someone had told me he used a Phisohex soap bottle for the primer bottle.
The brand hasn't been available for a long time, but in it's day it was the go to anti-bacterial soap for doctors and surgeons.
It is only available by prescription now...well...don't ask me how, but we'll be primin' her with a Phisohex bottle.
Also changed out the pour top to the period correct item.
You can clearly see it next to the tank when Bob Morgan bought the boat.

 

[racerden]

What was the name of your boat?

Boat's name was Pass'n Gas. Campaigned it out of Sundown Marine in Huntington Beach with Bob Long's crew. It only ran in the 107-110MPH range in UGF whilst others were pushing the 130 mark. I was slow but had fun & lucky to say hung out with some of the true NDBA Godfather's.
Again, great job Dave!
Denny

 

[Dave Sammons]

Makin' Progress!!
Most all the rigging is in.
Still need to run the steering cables.
Tank is mounted exactly as original. Will have base plate anodized black. Need to have a holder made for Squirt Bottle.
Throttle pedal won't be mounted until the seat gets back from the upholsterer.
Time to get some IRON mounted between the stringers!!

 

[Dave Sammons]

 

[westair]

:thumbsup ... any plans to have this boat on display somewhere before it leaves ca for good, or what are the plans for it?

 

[Flyinbowtie]

This is a concours level restoration on a historic boat....it looks fantastic. Dave I hope when it is done a full on professional photographer does a shoot on it. It is truly worthy.

 

[RogerThat99]

Fabulous work Dave & Billy B.

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[Sharp Shooter]

This is a concours level restoration on a historic boat....it looks fantastic. Dave I hope when it is done a full on professional photographer does a shoot on it. It is truly worthy.

Dave, what he means to say is your pictures suck! lol!!!

Just joking Dave!

Looks great even if the tank is a little high...:champagne:

 

[KENDOG689]

I would take that boat over anything I,ve seen so far.What a find and a real nice restoration.Can,t wait to see this thing done!:thumbsup

 

[Dave Sammons]

:thumbsup ... any plans to have this boat on display somewhere before it leaves ca for good, or what are the plans for it?

I think it'll be back quite often...
I have been contacted by the Grand National Roadster Show to have it there(I did a 1963 TF dragster that won best in class and best engine awards a few years back) next year in the main building as well as the Hot Rod Reunion in Bakersfield. I have not talked with the owner about his plans but the boat will be more appreciated here on the West Coast so I hope he plans a few trips!

 

[Dave Sammons]

Dave, what he means to say is your pictures suck! lol!!!

Just joking Dave!

Looks great even if the tank is a little high...:champagne:

You and the "Counselor"...separated at birth!!

 

[Dave Sammons]

Couple more out in the Carlsbad sun yesterday...

 

[460]

Dave,

You Are doing an amazing job on this boat. It looks great.

 

[theKID]

Dave the restoration looks awesome. Can't wait to see this thing with some power in it.

 

[COCA COLA COWBOY]

So is the owner going to put some fuel in it and let Scarlatta take it down the track at least once? Would be pretty cool to see....

 

[Dave Sammons]

So is the owner going to put some fuel in it and let Scarlatta take it down the track at least once? Would be pretty cool to see....

Yes and No

 

[Dave Sammons]

Well, my master machinist finally showed up, so I could do the motor plates once he set the mill up for me...
He does keep a close eye on me though!!!

Engine is in at 35 1/2 inches...I was able to calculate the placement based on the holes on the original rails(of which there were many).
I am figuring that he had to keep moving the engine forward as he made more power and ran harder on the big end.
Over the course of this boats history Caselli bumped the record a number of times from the mid 130's up to 158mph.

 

[Wheeler]

Looks Great! :thumbsup:thumbsup
I watched Caselli race on many occasions, wish I would have taken pix then.

 

[Dave Sammons]

Looks Great! :thumbsup:thumbsup
I watched Caselli race on many occasions, wish I would have taken pix then.

Thank you sir...if ya get down Marina Manor way stop in and see me this coming weekend....we need to talk drywall!!

OBTW...checked out the 25 footer...nice piece!
Told Ted we need to make it a Whaler!! I'll pay for the upholstery!!!

 

[fmo24]

In picture two he does not look too impressed with your technique

 

[Dave Sammons]

Happy Labor Day!

 

[RogerThat99]

OMG...(Oh My God for the older folks) . That thing is absolutely gorgeous with the engine in it. Nice work Dave!!!!!!

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