GYRONAUT X-1:  World's Fastest Motorcycle
  • HOME/HISTORY
  • RESTORATION
  • SPONSORS
  • LIVE UPDATES
  • BIOGRAPHIES
    • ALEX TREMULIS
    • BOB LEPPAN
    • JIM BRUFLODT
  • EVENTS
  • GEAR STORE
  • CONTACT US

Mel Hoy's Bellytank Lakester

10/18/2012

0 Comments

 
c. 1965, this lakester, made from a surplus World War II belly tank, caught the eye of Alex Tremulis.  At the time, most bellytanks remained true to their original form with only some modification to enable a driver to get in and out and usually some openings for exhausts.  Not this one, however, with its squared-off top half and specially formed engine cover.  It's unique shape surely was a topic of aerodynamic discussion which prompted Tremulis to take a full complement of photos from each angle.  Not only looking fast standing still, this little racer evidently stood up to its critics with a top speed in the vicinity of 300 miles per hour, apparently urged on with the help of a supercharged Chrysler engine, and driven by Howard Johnson.
Picture

Picture

Picture

Picture

Picture


Fast forward 40 years or so and Mel Hoy's lakester shows up at a swap meet in Portland, Oregon, where it was photographed by land speed racer Mike Kelly.  It looks to be in amazingly good condition with most of its unique bodywork appearing intact and unblemished. 
Picture

Picture

Picture

These newest photos and the latest updates on Mel Hoy's creation can be found on the landracing.com website HERE.  Let's hope that this little lakester with a speedy past gets the restoration it deserves and maybe someday it will make a public re-appearance for all to enjoy...
0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

     

     

    Gyronaut X-1 
    LIVE Updates...

    For notifications on new posts, click "LIKE" on the Gyronaut's Facebook page, All "LIKEs" are immediately notified as they post...

    Picture

    Home of the Gyronaut restoration:
    Picture

    Archives

    March 2017
    January 2015
    September 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    March 2014
    July 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.