Nov 1, 2017
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Hydroplane racing has long been a summertime tradition in Detroit. In 1915, the MISS DETROIT, built by Chris Smith, won the Gold Cup race in New York, bringing the following year’s race to the boat home water as was then tradition. Over much of the next decade, Detroit’s own Gar Wood emerged as one of the first superstars of motorsports to help keep the Gold Cup on the Detroit River.
Wood, along with his boat the MISS AMERICA IX, appears these recently discovered amateur films which span 1930 to 1938. The reel includes footage of the 1930 Harmsworth Trophy Race on the Detroit River, summer days on Lake Orion, the 1931 Harmsworth race, and the 1938 Gold Cup Race.
Explore more objects related to hydroplane racing in Detroit through our online collection.
We're all hard at work here; the house is practically a book factory. Warnie’s deep in the life of Gramont (dashing 17th century bloke), I’m putting Mme. M. together, and Jack has started a new fantasy — for grownups.
-Joy, March 1955
More screenshots from part two of the Warnie mini series.