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SPIRIT OF ECSTACY

Printed From: BMPT Forum
Category: General Discussion
Forum Name: Where Are Those Boats Now
Forum Description: Tell everybody where those old boats are
URL: http://www.bmpt.co.uk/forum_posts.asp?TID=269
Printed Date: 26 March 2026 at 9:53pm


Topic: SPIRIT OF ECSTACY
Posted By: THUNDERBOLT
Subject: SPIRIT OF ECSTACY
Date Posted: 31 January 2007 at 2:20pm

Hi, Mike James new member.

Spotted Christians post about Spirit of Ecstacy ,I own THUNDERBOLT Tommy Sopwiths winning boat in the 1961 COWES TORQUAY she is currently about to undergo full restoration. SPIRIT was powered by 2 ROLLS ROYCE diesels and finished 2nd in the 66 race to GHOST RIDER

Steve Macey entered and usually finished every race from 61 to mid 70's. Spirit deserves to be saved she is a classic boat and one of the most handsome of Arthur Haggs designs.Please if anyone does take on this craft let us at the CLASSIC OFFSHORE POWERBOAT OWNERS CLUB know immediately.and if anyone knows of similar famous craft languishing in similar circumstances advise us, the clubs aim is to save and restore where possible these famous but forgotten craft.

Thanks for your time

Mike




Replies:
Posted By: Christian
Date Posted: 31 January 2007 at 2:53pm

Hi Mike

I imagine S of E is small enough to load on a flatbed and drive to the UK, any chance any of a rescue by one of your club members?

FYI, Gee 185, Gypsy Girl and Miss Embassy (or Uno Embassy?-the gas-turbine powered one with tail-fins) all ended up smuggling out of Gibraltar in the 80s.

Rgds, Christian.  



Posted By: THUNDERBOLT
Date Posted: 31 January 2007 at 3:22pm

Chris

are any of these still around now?



Posted By: Christian
Date Posted: 31 January 2007 at 3:43pm

Hi Mike

No, they all went when the law changed outlawing them. The subsequent law allowed 21ft speedboats with big outboards which then proliferated out of all control until these too were outlawed when our current Chief Minister came into power about 10 years ago. There is now no smuggling going on from Gibraltar by sea, probably an all-time first. Not many countries can boast that! We need to be whiter than white as we're under close scrutiny from Madrid every day so we can't afford to give them any amunition. Up until recently we stood accused of money-laundering on a massive scale, they then shut up when it was found that the entire mayor's office of Marbella was totally crooked!

B Rgds,Christian. 



Posted By: THUNDERBOLT
Date Posted: 31 January 2007 at 4:55pm

WHEN YOU SAY THEY ALL WENT DO YOU MEAN UP IN SMOKE?

DESTROYED IF THAT IS THE CASE IT IS DISATROUS, ESPECIALLY GIPSY GIRL....THAT WAS A BEAUTIFUL HUNT DESIGN?

DO YOU HAVE A FAX NO OR SITE FOR THE SoE COMPOUND?

 

mike



Posted By: THUNDERBOLT
Date Posted: 31 January 2007 at 5:31pm

Are there any old girls still there? that are in genuine ownership.or across the border?

thanks for your interest.

MIKE



Posted By: Christian
Date Posted: 31 January 2007 at 10:25pm

Hi Mike

The compound belongs to the Puerto, their telephone number is 0034 956 790 000, e-mail mailto:puertosotogrande@telefonica.net - puertosotogrande@telefonica.net contact Eli Ramos.English message OK.

I'll try to find out more about he fates of the others, I agree, Gipsy Girl was a real beauty.

Rgds,  Christian.




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