Edward Noble, William Randolph Hearst, John Dodge, Col. The performance of this Baby Gar was so impressive that some of America’s wealthiest sportsmen appealed to Gar Wood to build one for them. It was a comfortable, safe runabout with 3 cockpits and a bottom that incorporated all of the characteristics of his previous Miss Americas. The result was the legendary 33′ “Baby Gar” Runabout. It was clear the rules were designed to limit and frustrate Gar Wood.Īlways up for a challenge, Gar Wood and chief designer Nap Lisee developed an entirely new boat as their version of the Gentleman’s Runabout. However, the intended target of these changes was Gar Wood whose advanced technology and use of aircraft engines had totally dominated the Gold Cup since 1917. The rules committee said that they wished to encourage “Gentlemen’s Runabouts” that could be used for family recreation as well as racing. The changes limited engine size, length and configuration of hulls. “Baby Gar” Eraĭuring the winter of 1921-22 the rules governing the Gold Cup Races were changed dramatically by the American Power Boat Association. With Gar Wood driving and Smith building the boats, they won 5 straight Gold Cups from 1917-1921 and 2 Harmsworth trophies in 19. For the next six years Chris Smith built racing boats under the direction of Gar Wood. While he was there he also bought the yard that built her – the Chris Smith and Sons Boat Company. After he agreed to purchase Miss Detroit I he left for Algonac to see her. The man that stood up and volunteered was Gar Wood. Purchases Chris Smith Boat Co.Īt the noonday meeting of the Detroit Exchange Club in 1916, Lee Barrett, secretary of the Miss Detroit Powerboat Association made a plea for some local Detroiter to help out the syndicate and purchase Miss Detroit I. Along side other emerging giants like Ford, Dodge and Chalmers, Wood’s fortunes grew allowing him the opportunity to participate in his first love – speedboat racing. Gar’s eight brothers soon joined in on his venture and they moved everything to Detroit where they established the Wood Hoist Co. The demand for the hydraulic lift was so high that Gar built an industrial empire around it. When Gar dumped them in the street with the pull of a lever, they knew he had a marketable product. He had attracted several potential investors who insisted on getting in the truck bed to see how it worked. With Murlen by his side, and their life savings invested, Gar demonstrated his hydraulic lift. He convinced a local coal company to lend him a truck to try out his new invention. Coal was a common fuel for home and industrial use, yet the only way to unload trucks was slow and difficult. In 1911 at age 31 Gar focused his creative skills on a mechanical device that would unload coal trucks. Despite the rapid industrial growth surrounding him, Gar was still on the outer edge and had not begun to prosper from it. Paul where he was involved in a number of enterprises including a traveling repair shop to service machines and early automobiles. Invents Hydraulic Liftīy the turn of the century Gar and his wife Murlen lived in St. However, one invention and patent would create a personal fortune and make him a racing legend. These skills would continue to develop within him and result in hundreds of patents in his lifetime. Working with his father, Gar also developed unusual mechanical skills far beyond his years, most notably an aptitude for inventing devices to solve mechanical problems. Young Gar Wood learned early that speed on water meant recognition and fame. It was good for business to have a reputation for speed, so races were often taken seriously. Frequently a race between ferry boat operators would emerge. Gar’s father was a ferryboat operator on Lake Osakis in Minnesota and often him along to help crew on the ferries. His father had run away to join the Union Army as a drummer boy when he was younger, so it was only natural that he would name his first son after America’s leaders. He was named after both the nation’s President and Vice President, James Garfield and Chester Arthur. Garfield Arthur Wood was born in l880, the oldest of l3 brothers and sisters. The fascinating events that led to the development and production of Gar Wood boats is one of the most interesting stories in boating history. Today Gar Wood boats are among the most sought-after classic boats in the world. However, as he set forth to achieve these goals, he was influenced by colleagues and friends and as a result built one of the world’s finest line of production recreational sport boats. His goal was to personally set every speed record on water and be recognized as the world’s speedboat king. Garfield Wood never intended to go into the boat building business.
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