Looking For a Flatbottom

Guys,
As much as I love flatbottoms, I am surprised that this is my first time in this forum. I am looking for some help, if possible. I am rekindling my v-drive roots. I am looking for a VERY nice mid 80's Cole TR4 or TR7. Preferrably less motor. I really want to find one of the BGF's from that era. There are about three boats I have on my mind, that I would love to locate:
1. A boat called "California Thunder" a baby blue Cole with some nice candy's.
2. This boat is a TR4 That Baca painted ALL Candy orange. I think the installation is blue, not sure. I have seen it racing ME before at the IHBA.
3. Lastly, the TR2 "Ice Cole". I lost track of where this boat went, but the last time I saw it, the laquer was checking pretty bad. I guess I could restore it.
If anyone knows of the where abouts of these boats or another nice TR4/TR7 raised deck cole with ash floors, please let me know.
Thanks
Gary Taylor

try here for a fresh one
http://dragboats.com/classifieds/pic....php?AdID=2915

Thanks but I am looking for a boat with ash floors, and the thought of spending another 1000+ hours on the mill and lathe fabricating an installation makes me a bit sick. I really dont want to build a new one. There has to be one out there somewhere.

The big question is whats in the budget? I will help you look, if I have some Idea where to start
Here is a Dimarco this is a very good runnerbottom link below
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Chevy...3685QQssPageNa meZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
On the other end of the spectrum, buy this TR4 below and take it to Prime Marine. Have them do all the hardware, that way you will have to spend zero hours on the mill :). Then on to billy B's Krazy Kolors for some paint. It's as easy as 1-2-3. Good Luck!
Here are some more pics. Boat is still for sale.
http://www.***boat.com/image_center/...005_2_-med.jpg
http://www.***boat.com/image_center/...002_2_-med.jpg

Nuthin has a nice cole tr2 for sale w or w/o power .
has the old school style paint i am unsure as to the type floors.
i do know he is Anal about his toys and they are well kept.

Cole cash is a gorgeous boat. It also runs straight and fast. I used to spend a lot of time around that boat. Unfortunately its not what I am looking for.
Regarding a new boat. Dont get me wrong, I love fabricating, and I love making billet strut mounts milled motor rails, v-drive supports etc........Its just a bit time cinsuming these days, and it would be really tough for me to pay someone to do that for me. I would like to meet Billy B though and talk to him about a candy orange paint job. I have seen his work and its very nice. If I have to resort to building a new hull, I will go that route, but that would be the very last resort. Someone has to have an immaculate TR4 in their garage covered up that needs a good home? There were some very cool boats made in the mid-late 80's, and that is what I am really looking for. As far as the price goes: It just has to be fair. We all know what a good used flatbottom costs, and a nice one will be even more $. I wonder what happened to that all white TR4 that sat in the back of Coles shop for 8+ years. It was a heavy boat with an installation about 3/4 of the way done. It had a lot of potential. Keep me updated guys, if you hear of anything I am looking for. Thanks Gary Taylor (805)480-2693

Someone has to have an immaculate TR4 in their garage covered up that needs a good home? There were some very cool boats made in the mid-late 80's, and that is what I am really looking for.
I know this does not help you, but this one sold about a year ago, in like one day for 16k. I have not seen many TR4's for sale maybe two or three in the last five years. I wonder how many TR4's where made? That one that was in Coles shop I member him telling something about insurance would not let him manufacture anymore flatbottoms?
http://www.***boat.com/image_center/...79179585_1.jpg

Gary, I am working on Robert. He said $$ would influence his decison but doesn't it always?

Tony,
Can you e-mail me with any details?
Also, That one in the pic above is VERY nice.

Jim Cole sold that TR-4 about 6 months before he closed up shop, when we bought our TR-2 I towed it down to his shop to get some history on it and he had that TR-4 outside waiting for the new owner to pick it up

Thanks guys,
I have received a BUNCH of phone calls and assistance on this. I appreciate it.

Ice Cole was in Chatsworth as of a few years ago...the guy that bought it from Mike Bell lived out there.
I have tried to call him to see if he still had the boat.
The paint was ok, there was some checking of the clear on the deck.
i doubt it is for sale...but if it is, ill let you know

There is a nice tr-4 on Dragboats.com if your still looking.

The first boat you described sounds alot like this one. I met the guy and took a ride in it last weekend at Elsinore. He actually said he lived in Chatsworth too, it said XXXXX Thunder 472 or something on the deck too. He loves the boat and said he had it since 99 or so.
http://www.dmontzsta.com/MiscStuff/M...ats/LECole.jpg

The boat that GT is buying makes all of these other ones posted look like serious chump change (or the SS 80).

Guys,
As much as I love flatbottoms, I am surprised that this is my first time in this forum. I am looking for some help, if possible. I am rekindling my v-drive roots. I am looking for a VERY nice mid 80's Cole TR4 or TR7. Preferrably less motor. I really want to find one of the BGF's from that era. There are about three boats I have on my mind, that I would love to locate:
1. A boat called "California Thunder" a baby blue Cole with some nice candy's.
2. This boat is a TR4 That Baca painted ALL Candy orange. I think the installation is blue, not sure. I have seen it racing ME before at the IHBA.
3. Lastly, the TR2 "Ice Cole". I lost track of where this boat went, but the last time I saw it, the laquer was checking pretty bad. I guess I could restore it.
If anyone knows of the where abouts of these boats or another nice TR4/TR7 raised deck cole with ash floors, please let me know.
Thanks
Gary Taylor
Hey Gary, the candy orange TR4 sounds like my "NiCole n Dimed" boat number 510. I sold it to Rick Tatlow who raced it in ME. He lived in Lake Elsinore last I talked to him. I think he may have sold the boat to someone in Illinois. I would love to see you purchase and restore that boat! It was truely a neat deal!! Les

Anybody know of an experimental hull that Cole did ?? I was told it was a tr4 tr5 combo. Ran IHBA bgf i think the guy who owened it was Norega. Black with a wing.................

Anybody know of an experimental hull that Cole did ?? I was told it was a tr4 tr5 combo. Ran IHBA bgf i think the guy who owened it was Norega. Black with a wing.................
The boat was "Quick Draw" and the owner/driver was Chuck Noriega. The hull was not experimental. Cole mated the 4 top with a 2 bottom and called it a TR6. A 3 bottom and a 4 top was a TR5.

The boat was "Quick Draw" and the owner/driver was Chuck Noriega. The hull was not experimental. Cole mated the 4 top with a 2 bottom and called it a TR6. A 3 bottom and a 4 top was a TR5.
Thanks for the info. That is the name on the boat. Did the boat run good ? I'm trying to figure out if the boat would make a good river boat.

Thanks for the info. That is the name on the boat. Did the boat run good ? I'm trying to figure out if the boat would make a good river boat.
"Quick Draw" ran an Arias and was in the 140 + mph range. It's a race boat lay up and may not be suitable for lake use.

Gary, did Gene sell the mold (7/8's) that he got from Howard? That boat is directly off of a Cole. I know you want to save time/ money, but does it ever work the way you want it to? I'll be moving a mill into my workshop soon. (just in case) Do you ever talk to Roddy?

I thought Gene sold the flatbottom mold to Ron Braaksma, not sure. I do talk to Roddy occassionally. I think I found the flattbottom I wanted. Thanks for the help.

I think I found the flattbottom I wanted. Thanks for the help.
When you going to post some pics?

Gimme a couple weeks to get caught up. There is a long story that goes with it too. You guys will like it, but I have a few things to do before I can play with the flatbottom. Seriously, I received a bunch of input from this thread, and it was very cool. Thanks again.

Gimme a couple weeks to get caught up. There is a long story that goes with it too. You guys will like it, but I have a few things to do before I can play with the flatbottom. Seriously, I received a bunch of input from this thread, and it was very cool. Thanks again.
Good luck with the possible acquisition..:)

Guys,
As much as I love flatbottoms, I am surprised that this is my first time in this forum. I am looking for some help, if possible. I am rekindling my v-drive roots. I am looking for a VERY nice mid 80's Cole TR4 or TR7. Preferrably less motor. I really want to find one of the BGF's from that era. There are about three boats I have on my mind, that I would love to locate:
1. A boat called "California Thunder" a baby blue Cole with some nice candy's.
2. This boat is a TR4 That Baca painted ALL Candy orange. I think the installation is blue, not sure. I have seen it racing ME before at the IHBA.
3. Lastly, the TR2 "Ice Cole". I lost track of where this boat went, but the last time I saw it, the laquer was checking pretty bad. I guess I could restore it.
If anyone knows of the where abouts of these boats or another nice TR4/TR7 raised deck cole with ash floors, please let me know.
Thanks
Gary Taylor
Gary,
Your search sounds similar to mine a few years ago. I was on a mission to find the original IceCole. I did a lot of searching and finally tracked down the guy who owns it. In My Humble Opinion, what a sketchy guy. He had this giant BS story about how he was chosen by Mike Bell and all Jim Cole's BFF drivers to carry on the Cole BFF legacy. The BS was long and thick and the guy was kinda creepy. I mean there was a lot of plain ol' fabrication that might pass muster at a bar to someone who knows nothing of drab boats but geez. He now uses the boat on his personal web site to promote his dream of being a a Top Fuel land dragster racer. He has a picture of Mike driving it and passes it off as himself. He stuck a mild unblown BBC in the boat and tried to learn the drive it. He even went to Jerry who drove Cole's spooky to get "a lesson". But the guy had a fuel fire in the boat there near Jerry's place near Needles or Laughlin. I'm not certain how badly the boat was damaged. It is a sad end to that boat.

Gary... Please don't take this the wrong way but, I am supprised that you aren't going to build a new boat. After seeing your engines and how "sweet" they are, I wouldn't think that you would never be happy with someone elses installation.:D :D But, what the hell do I know anyway. Good luck with your find and please post pictures...
I am sure it will come out great either way
Steve

Guys,
As much as I love flatbottoms, I am surprised that this is my first time in this forum. I am looking for some help, if possible. I am rekindling my v-drive roots. I am looking for a VERY nice mid 80's Cole TR4 or TR7. Preferrably less motor. I really want to find one of the BGF's from that era. There are about three boats I have on my mind, that I would love to locate:
1. A boat called "California Thunder" a baby blue Cole with some nice candy's.
2. This boat is a TR4 That Baca painted ALL Candy orange. I think the installation is blue, not sure. I have seen it racing ME before at the IHBA.
3. Lastly, the TR2 "Ice Cole". I lost track of where this boat went, but the last time I saw it, the laquer was checking pretty bad. I guess I could restore it.
If anyone knows of the where abouts of these boats or another nice TR4/TR7 raised deck cole with ash floors, please let me know.
Thanks
Gary Taylor
GARY,
WE COULD MAKE YOU ONE WITH OAK FLOORS!!! 8 -10 WEEKS
AROUND 12,000.00 FLOORS WOULD BE REALLY NICE!!! ( LIKE THE 2ND PICTURE) OR WE HAVE THE WHITE ONE WITH BLASA FLOORS. $8500.00 IF YOU ARE GOING TO MAKE IT NICE , YOUR GOING TO SPEND THE BIG BUCKS MAKING A OLDER BOAT BITCHEN JUST BY MAKING EVERYTHING NEW!!! TRUST ME I'VE BEEN THERE!!
http://www.***boat.com/image_center/...ole_005_2_.jpg
http://www.***boat.com/image_center/...TIE_002_2_.jpg

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bite the Bullet

Guys,
As much as I love flatbottoms, I am surprised that this is my first time in this forum. I am looking for some help, if possible. I am rekindling my v-drive roots. I am looking for a VERY nice mid 80's Cole TR4 or TR7. Preferrably less motor. I really want to find one of the BGF's from that era. There are about three boats I have on my mind, that I would love to locate:
1. A boat called "California Thunder" a baby blue Cole with some nice candy's.
2. This boat is a TR4 That Baca painted ALL Candy orange. I think the installation is blue, not sure. I have seen it racing ME before at the IHBA.
3. Lastly, the TR2 "Ice Cole". I lost track of where this boat went, but the last time I saw it, the laquer was checking pretty bad. I guess I could restore it.
If anyone knows of the where abouts of these boats or another nice TR4/TR7 raised deck cole with ash floors, please let me know.
Thanks
Gary Taylor
Hey Gary, the candy orange TR4 sounds like my "NiCole n Dimed" boat number 510. I sold it to Rick Tatlow who raced it in ME. He lived in Lake Elsinore last I talked to him. I think he may have sold the boat to someone in Illinois. I would love to see you purchase and restore that boat! It was truely a neat deal!! Les

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The baby blue boat Cole Tr-6 that is called California Thunder has the number on the side of 559 which was painted by Billy B
I owned the boat for about 6 years and was built in 86 and was blown
very nice boat with a lot of custom parts
I have a Facebook full of pics
Boat sold in 2004 or 2005 to guy in Florida with IHBA