The "Blue" Blue Blaster - 1977 Atlas Van Lines

From the Hydroplane and Raceboat Museum's film and photo archive and the Jim Lucero Collection. The brand-new 1977 Atlas Van Lines unlimited hydroplane at its first test sessions on Lake Washington. The boat, in its original all blue paint scheme, is driven by Bill Muncey. Designer and crew chief Jim Lucero talks about the innovations used in the new space-age hull. You'll also see Lucero's test films of the Atlas during its initial runs.

[@newcarpathia9422]

OMG Jim Lucero! I haven't heard a peep out of him since the Woomer team was sold.

[@Ray-dz9fn]

Nice to see Muncey, Lucero, Harvey, and Walters in the beginning of this boat. IIRC, there are some aerodynamic testing videos too, with yarn tufts. Jim Lucero passed away on April 29th, 2023, per the Seattle Times.

[@williamphillips6247]

The first memorable cabover of my childhood!🏁😊🥲

[@chrispeterson735]

Legendary boat -- going against the norm at the time, and proving it's worth right away! I thought it fascinating that Jim Lucero worked with Boeing...thinking outside the box aerodynamically caused a paradigm shift that everyone else followed afterward! Great video!!

[@doccyclopz]

I remember seeing her at the Toronto International Boat Show around that time.

[@reddcocker64]

I remember seeing this boat at the 1977 President's Cup Regatta on the Potomac River. What a spectacular boat.

[@BlueLeader1]

Awesome!!! Great team, boat, driver, and crew chief. The Blue Blaster is immortal!

[@hikingmansteve]

Great video. Thanks for posting. That photo of the Blaster running without the engine cover is one of a kind. I've never seen it like that. And thanks for explaining why they painted the cowling white I always wondered about that. SR

[@kennyhuskisson2684]

Me also, I always liked the blue cowling over the white cowling myself, now we know the reason for the change, after all these years, cool video! Love it!👍✌️

[@THROTTLEPOWER]

Great vid!!!!!!!!!!!