FREEWAY, a Filam Ski Sport powered by a X2 spec 179 Holden has quite a history.She is believed to be originally owned by Geoff Robinson of Franklin caravans who eventually brought out the Filam Manufacturing Co. FREEWAY was named after Franklin's top of the range model of the era.Her identity was almost lost until a smart thinking previous owner noticed the faint remains of the old sign writing and had it replaced.Sadly FREEWAY is about to settle into a new home,skipper Andrew is moving on to something much louder and faster!!! Filam and Franklin owners and anyone interested in these boats are welcome to contact the Filam register at filamfranklinowners@gmail.com
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Franklin Caravans had a race boat in the 60's called "FRANKLIN" . She was one of the top three boats racing. Mandy-Venus-Franklin. All of these were timber.
ReplyDeleteDoc.
Wow,would love to see that FRANKLIN skiff.Filam also had race boats (fibreglass) called FILAM and FILAM II in the mid to late 60's.Very interested to hear anything about these three boats if anyone knows anything about them...Do have a great article about Keith "Crazy Horse"Hooper's MANDY VS144 from 1967 I'll be posting soon though you may have seen it Doc,it's titled "LIKE WHOOSH"
ReplyDeleteFranklin was a twin cockpit as was Mandy & Venus 1960--1962. The article "Like Whoosh" was in Australian Hot Rod magazine Fiat on the cover. There were quite a few Mandys ,Dorp Taps in Clayton - half the factory was set up for making Taps and the other half Race boats, i believe he always had two hulls at one time. One of the early Mandys twin cockpit all the hardware on the outer was gold plated . Why? i should imagine they were plated with a batch of taps. In the article you have, Mandy is a skiff hull.
ReplyDeleteFreeway Filam,
ReplyDeleteNotice in the photo of holden red motor , twin carbies are Holley xk Falcon [low line single throat] same carbies were used on Dodge Q motors. Strombergs use to sit 3" higher.
My girl KOMOTION is fitted with the same twin XK holley setup.Commonly used to fit inside the small Filam engine hatch without the cutting needed for strombergs as seen on the BELMONT and others....Yeah,was aware of other MANDYS ,and VENUS was beautiful wasnt she, but never seen FRANKLINS early boats unfortunately.There was a fella seeking info in the Herald Sun about a MANDY he owned about 2 years back,any info on which one it may have been???
ReplyDeleteGot a call a couple of years ago by a guy that bought a vintage racing boat. By coincidence a friend of his recognised the boat having seen as a kid in our driveway. It was one of the runabout Mandy's. I spoke to him a length about the racing history. Must go see the boat. I believe he spoke to Max Hooper as well. There were four Mandy's.
DeleteHi ASB,
ReplyDeleteMate of mine Marz owns her, Raced in NSW as "Hustler" . 1962 vintage - have quite alot photos plus 8mm movie of her racing. Will not steel Marzs' thunder! I'll leave it to him to get in contact, to share his baby with you.
Doc,Would the Dorp Taps you mention be related to Chadoak in Clayton by any chance?? I recall seeing some very interesting old stuff while there for work a few years back.
ReplyDeleteI think Chadoak might have done some work at Dorf when they were in Buckland st And also Whitelaw plumbing. Mainly Hindoff plumbing took care of the place
DeleteASB,
ReplyDeleteChadoak doesn't ring any bells.
Came across a boat racing photo ,[1963] 2 wooden skiffs "Hi-Fi" and "Franklin".
hi i think i have one of these boats its brown with white pin stripes, has a badge on the back that says franklin caravans made in ballarat victoria it had an old falcon motor in it and the old falcon stiring wheel. i was wondering what yr it is and what make it is if anyone could help out
ReplyDeletethankyou andrew
Hi mate do you still have the boat, please contact me on 0417340375 or at jbelsar@live.com.au I am the grandson of Geoff Robertson who raced "Franklin" and built caravans of the same name. Cheers
DeleteG'day Andrew,
ReplyDeleterapt to hear from you. Your boat is most definitely a Filam Ski Sport. We have an owners register & facebook page with plenty of info available about these Aussie gems. Please send us an Email and I'll point you in the right direction. Would need a few pics to get an age ballpark. Can usually roughly tell by how she was fitted out (dash, steering & cav gear, etc.). They were produced from the eary 60's until mid 70's. Please get in touch. Regards. Ron aussieskiboats@gmail.com