Fred Alter: Vintage Hydroplane Scrapbook Photos

"Fearless Freddie" Fred Alter's Scrapbook Photos

We're excited to present this collection of photos loaned to us by "Fearless Freddie!" Fred Alter. He is one of many distinguished powerboat racers from the Detroit area to be inducted into the Unlimited Hydroplane Hall of Fame.
All 78 pics are shown as thumbnail photos below, in order of general appeal. Click on any thumbnail to see the larger JPG version (they average 35K-65K bytes each).

A beautiful Miss America IX (downsized reproduction)
Miss America IX won the Harmsworth trophy with George Wood driving.
in Detroit, date unknown.

Dean Chenoweth and Bill Muncey
This is a fabulous photo of the friendly reception they received in Acapulco, 1981. One of the last photos of Bill.

Budweiser crew member Sandy Ross
Laughing with Roy Duby on the right.

Steve Reynolds at the back of Circus Circus
Looks like he's waiting to watch the next heat.

A great pic of Mariner Too and Fred Alter
This hull was the Miss Detroit driven by Chuck Thompson.
Probably in Detroit. 1967

Bob Maschmedt ready to go
Driver of Oh Boy Oberto (78) and Dr. Toyota (79).

I really like this pic of Bill Muncey
Coming back to the pits the casual way.
Propeller mag titled this photo "The African Queen".
Acapulco. 1981

A WONDERFUL pic of Dean Chenoweth
"Under 50" Age Division.
Likely early 80's?

Bill Cantrell on a Gale boat
The famous "Seven Sisters" in the distance behind Bill.
The Seven Sisters landmark was recently demolished.
Date unknown

Having a bad day in Washington D.C.
Fred Alter points to the shape above the boat and says "See, there's me" as casual as one would looking at a yearbook. Such Crust IV. 1961
Photo by Associated Press staff photographer.

Dean Chenoweth Does a Headstand in Smirnoff at Detroit (photo caption)
This hull nicknamed "The Lead Sled" became the 1st Atlas, and later a Roostertail.
1968

PAY n PAK and Miss Madison
A great shot!
San Diego. 1970

PAY n PAK
An early Les Staudacher "out-rigger" hull. Later pickle-forks by Les worked much better. Tommy "Tucker" Fults driving.
1969

U-5 Schwepps and Budweiser take the Roostertail turn
Fred Alter and Bill Sterret, respectively.
Detroit - 1969

Miss Schweppe's and Miss Budeiser
Bill Sterret Sr. spins out chasing Fred Alter in Schweppes.
Detroit - 1969

Spirit Of Detroit Trophy Stand
Scott Pierce and Bill Wurster (owner).
1987

An older Spirit Of Detroit Trophy Stand
Fred Alter at the microphone and Bernie Little in the brown shirt. Bill Muncey is just out of view behind Bernie. 1973

Fred Alter, Bob Shroeder, and J. Lee Shoenith
An old-timers reunion on Sindbads' Tug.
April 1985

Gale VI (the first one)
This hull was a Miss Roostertail. The building behind is the Roostertail restaurant before it's current day remodeling.

Gale VI (the second one, right?)
Fred Alter led 9 of the 10 laps before his boat expired.
Seattle. Date unknown
Photo by Bob Carver

The Martini & Rossi trophy
Fred Alter, Bernie Little, Stan Fitts (APBA), and Count Theo Rossi. Count Rossi is a winning Gold Cup owner & driver himself, in 1938 aboard ALAGI at a speed of 66.0 MPH (in Detroit).
Photo circa 1981

Fred Alter showing Such Crust III to Betty Skelton
Betty was a top-notch aerobatic pilot of the day, and a Michigander. The name of her airplane was Little Stinker.

Twin engine Such Crust under construction
At the shop.
May 12 1962

Miss Budweiser Hangs Over Water at Coeur d'Alene (photo caption)
Bill Muncey bringing in Miss U.S., the white boat is Harrah's Club(?).
1968?

Such Crust and Fred Alter
Behind the main grandstands in Detroit.
This is an all aluminum hull.
About 1964

Blue Chip, Mariner Too, and Gale's Roostertail
Fred Alter, Warner Gardner, and Bill Cantrell.
Detroit. 1965

Towne Club spinning out.
Terry Sterret in Atlas 2. Fred Alter in Towne Club.
Gold Cup 1971 in Madison.
Photo by Rich Ormbreck (Seattle).

Miss Madison
In Evansville? Date unknown

Miss Joe Ricci / Spirit Of Detroit
Detroit. Date unknown

PAY n PAK
The results of a blow-over in Tri-Cities.
1981

Atlas' Blue Blaster
Chip Hanauer getting in.
Detroit. 1982

Don Campbell's Food Service
A Bob Patterson boat.. said to be a fast one. Pretty paint job too.
1980

Scott Pierce
After a blow-over in Miss Pringles.
1989

Circus-Circus
A later Circus-Circus.

Mariner Too in pieces
Photo taken in Detroit.
About 1963

Miss Hawaiian Tropic
Now there's a MISS! :) Atlas boat in back.

Miss Dixi Cola in a spectacular spin
Fred Alter driving.
Sacramento(?). 1966?

The Squire Shop at Detroit
Chip Hanauer driving.
Detroit. 1978

John Kress - racing a Lauterbach hull hard
Other boat unidentified.
Detroit - Sep 1 1952 (date on photo)
Photo by Detroit News staff photographer.

Notre Dame team
Dr Fraser MacDonald, Bob Espland (Dave Cully behind him), Bill Sterret Jr(?), Mike Welch, Shirley Mendelson-MacDonald, and Chuck Hickling.
1972

Gilmore Special
Driver: Scott Pierce. Ex Circus-Circus hull.

A very serious looking V8
Twin quads and dual turbo-chargers, maybe N2O too.
One of Jimmy King's Grand Prix motors?
Detroit. Date unknown

Savairs Mist
This hull was the first(?) Miss Michigan, then Savair.
About 1965

Miss Hy-Per-Lube
Driven by Bob Gilliam.
1967

My Gypsy
Later run by Cantrell and Graham Heath as the Kentuckiana.
Date unknown

Mariner Too
An oil unit broke off the back of the motor, the oil ignited and burned through the aluminum firewall. Fred Alter was burned but escaped.
Seattle. 1963
Photo by Associated Press International

Miss Madison
Driver is Detroiter Ed O'Halloran.
In Madison? Date unknown

Gale's Miss Roostertail
Jerry Schoenith driving? This hull later Schweppes then Towne Club.
Probably Detroit. Date unknown

Well, it says Miss Owensboro
The name has been added to the photo for PR reasons. Original pic taken in 1967 with Mira Slovak at the helm. This hull was originally the Chrysler Crew!
Date unknown

Miss Schweppes
Fred Alter driving.
Probably Detroit. 1969
Photo by Ransier-Anderson Photography Inc.

Atlas 2 and Towne Club
Terry Sterret in Atlas 2. Fred Alter in Towne Club.
Probably Detroit. 1971

Bardahl, Miss U.S., and Miss Bud
Fred Alter, Bill Muncey, Bill Sterret Sr.
Fred mentions a trailer boat that made them all skip
a beat - see the nose-dive in progress by Miss U.S.
Seattle. 1969

Bardahl and Atlas
Fred Alter and Jim McCormick.
Seattle 1969

Oh Boy Oberto
Acapulco. 1981

Bill Cantrell Sr., Judy and Fred Alter
In Detroit. Date unknown

PAY n PAK and Miss Budweiser
In Evansville? 1974

Towne Club and Miss Budweiser
Fred Alter had spun out once and lost the tail.
1971

I'm guessing this pooch's name is BUD!
Six-pack would work too.

Miss Vernors coming into the pits
Fred Alter. This hull was the 67-69 Miss Bud.
Detroit. 1975?

Miss Towne Club
Graham Heath, Fred Alter and Wally Wrobrouck(sp?).

Such Crust IV
This hull was the Gale IV, then the Yellowjacket/Hornet. In Washington D.C., September 1961

Miss Atlas Van Lines
This is the "Lead Sled" hull again, but without the twin-fin tail. Immediately after Bill Muncey won his 5th Gold Cup, tying Gar Wood's record!
Detroit. 1972

The last twin engine Gale boat
Named Gale VI but was really a VII.

Such Crust III and Tempo
Driver: Fred Alter(?). Danny Foster to the right.
About 1954

Fred Alter showing off Miss Bardahl
Notice the open exhaust pipes that give this away as a Rolls-Royce V12.

4 "Interceptor" engines installed in Moosomin
This isn't a raceboat, but an R.C.M.P. Patrol boat.

Miss U.S. 1
Fred Alter driving.
June 14, 1958
Photo by Detroit News Staff Photographer DENEAU.

The original Blue Chip
First it was Breathless II, then Blue Chip(?). Looks like this photo has been doctored for PR reasons. This hull is now the Hawaii Kai replica at the Seattle Hydroplane & Raceboat Museum.

Schweppes
On the move.
Detroit. 1969
Photo by Ransier-Anderson Photography Inc.

Such Crust IV
This is the boat that Fred Alter later broke up in Washington D.C. First this hull was Gale IV, then Yellowjacket, then Such Crust.
1962-1964
Photo by Bob Carver

Miss Cauffiel with Fred Alter driving
Detroit Yacht Club in the background.
1973

F-2 Miss Detroit and F-222 My Son
Bill Muncey in My Son, Fred Alter in Miss Detroit.
Detroit - 1951 perhaps?
Photo by J Higgins

Fancy Pants in Detroit
Fred Alter getting her started.
1951-1952

A nice shot with 4 boats
Not sure what boats, but the CF-2 is Canadian.
Buffalo - 1952 or 1953?
Photo by Bruce Hancock

A Such Crust and Barracuda
Fred Alter and Gibson Bradfield driving, respectively.
Detroit - The larger building to the left is the old Sindbad's. In the 50's.. maybe '54.

Such Crust III
Fred Alter taking Jack Schafer (owner) for a cruise.
Detroit - 1956
Photo by Creative Services Inc.

Fred Alter with trophies
Someone stole them all from his garage years ago. :(
About 1952
Photo by Louis J. Ramsey

Owner of the Towne Club boat
Taking a pleasure cruise.
About 1975

	A beautiful Miss America IX (downsized reproduction) Miss America IX won the Harmsworth trophy with George Wood driving. in Detroit, date unknown.
	Dean Chenoweth and Bill Muncey This is a fabulous photo of the friendly reception they received in Acapulco, 1981. One of the last photos of Bill.
	Budweiser crew member Sandy Ross Laughing with Roy Duby on the right.
	Steve Reynolds at the back of Circus Circus Looks like he's waiting to watch the next heat.
	A great pic of Mariner Too and Fred Alter This hull was the Miss Detroit driven by Chuck Thompson. Probably in Detroit. 1967
	Bob Maschmedt ready to go Driver of Oh Boy Oberto (78) and Dr. Toyota (79).
	I really like this pic of Bill Muncey Coming back to the pits the casual way. Propeller mag titled this photo "The African Queen". Acapulco. 1981
	A WONDERFUL pic of Dean Chenoweth "Under 50" Age Division. Likely early 80's?
	Bill Cantrell on a Gale boat The famous "Seven Sisters" in the distance behind Bill. The Seven Sisters landmark was recently demolished. Date unknown
	Having a bad day in Washington D.C. Fred Alter points to the shape above the boat and says "See, there's me" as casual as one would looking at a yearbook. Such Crust IV. 1961 Photo by Associated Press staff photographer.
	Dean Chenoweth Does a Headstand in Smirnoff at Detroit (photo caption) This hull nicknamed "The Lead Sled" became the 1st Atlas, and later a Roostertail. 1968
	PAY n PAK and Miss Madison A great shot! San Diego. 1970
	PAY n PAK An early Les Staudacher "out-rigger" hull. Later pickle-forks by Les worked much better. Tommy "Tucker" Fults driving. 1969
	U-5 Schwepps and Budweiser take the Roostertail turn Fred Alter and Bill Sterret, respectively. Detroit - 1969
	Miss Schweppe's and Miss Budeiser Bill Sterret Sr. spins out chasing Fred Alter in Schweppes. Detroit - 1969
	Spirit Of Detroit Trophy Stand Scott Pierce and Bill Wurster (owner). 1987
	An older Spirit Of Detroit Trophy Stand Fred Alter at the microphone and Bernie Little in the brown shirt. Bill Muncey is just out of view behind Bernie. 1973
	Fred Alter, Bob Shroeder, and J. Lee Shoenith An old-timers reunion on Sindbads' Tug. April 1985
	Gale VI (the first one) This hull was a Miss Roostertail. The building behind is the Roostertail restaurant before it's current day remodeling.
	Gale VI (the second one, right?) Fred Alter led 9 of the 10 laps before his boat expired. Seattle. Date unknown Photo by Bob Carver
	The Martini & Rossi trophy Fred Alter, Bernie Little, Stan Fitts (APBA), and Count Theo Rossi. Count Rossi is a winning Gold Cup owner & driver himself, in 1938 aboard ALAGI at a speed of 66.0 MPH (in Detroit). Photo circa 1981
	Fred Alter showing Such Crust III to Betty Skelton Betty was a top-notch aerobatic pilot of the day, and a Michigander. The name of her airplane was Little Stinker.
	Twin engine Such Crust under construction At the shop. May 12 1962
	Miss Budweiser Hangs Over Water at Coeur d'Alene (photo caption) Bill Muncey bringing in Miss U.S., the white boat is Harrah's Club(?). 1968?
	Such Crust and Fred Alter Behind the main grandstands in Detroit. This is an all aluminum hull. About 1964
	Blue Chip, Mariner Too, and Gale's Roostertail Fred Alter, Warner Gardner, and Bill Cantrell. Detroit. 1965
	Towne Club spinning out. Terry Sterret in Atlas 2. Fred Alter in Towne Club. Gold Cup 1971 in Madison. Photo by Rich Ormbreck (Seattle).
	Miss Madison In Evansville? Date unknown
	Miss Joe Ricci / Spirit Of Detroit Detroit. Date unknown
	PAY n PAK The results of a blow-over in Tri-Cities. 1981
	Atlas' Blue Blaster Chip Hanauer getting in. Detroit. 1982
	Don Campbell's Food Service A Bob Patterson boat.. said to be a fast one. Pretty paint job too. 1980
	Scott Pierce After a blow-over in Miss Pringles. 1989
	Circus-Circus A later Circus-Circus.
	Mariner Too in pieces Photo taken in Detroit. About 1963
	Miss Hawaiian Tropic Now there's a MISS! :) Atlas boat in back.
	Miss Dixi Cola in a spectacular spin Fred Alter driving. Sacramento(?). 1966?
	The Squire Shop at Detroit Chip Hanauer driving. Detroit. 1978
	John Kress - racing a Lauterbach hull hard Other boat unidentified. Detroit - Sep 1 1952 (date on photo) Photo by Detroit News staff photographer.
	Notre Dame team Dr Fraser MacDonald, Bob Espland (Dave Cully behind him), Bill Sterret Jr(?), Mike Welch, Shirley Mendelson-MacDonald, and Chuck Hickling. 1972
	Gilmore Special Driver: Scott Pierce. Ex Circus-Circus hull.
	A very serious looking V8 Twin quads and dual turbo-chargers, maybe N2O too. One of Jimmy King's Grand Prix motors? Detroit. Date unknown
	Savairs Mist This hull was the first(?) Miss Michigan, then Savair. About 1965
	Miss Hy-Per-Lube Driven by Bob Gilliam. 1967
	My Gypsy Later run by Cantrell and Graham Heath as the Kentuckiana. Date unknown
	Mariner Too An oil unit broke off the back of the motor, the oil ignited and burned through the aluminum firewall. Fred Alter was burned but escaped. Seattle. 1963 Photo by Associated Press International
	Miss Madison Driver is Detroiter Ed O'Halloran. In Madison? Date unknown
	Gale's Miss Roostertail Jerry Schoenith driving? This hull later Schweppes then Towne Club. Probably Detroit. Date unknown
	Well, it says Miss Owensboro The name has been added to the photo for PR reasons. Original pic taken in 1967 with Mira Slovak at the helm. This hull was originally the Chrysler Crew! Date unknown
	Miss Schweppes Fred Alter driving. Probably Detroit. 1969 Photo by Ransier-Anderson Photography Inc.
	Atlas 2 and Towne Club Terry Sterret in Atlas 2. Fred Alter in Towne Club. Probably Detroit. 1971
	Bardahl, Miss U.S., and Miss Bud Fred Alter, Bill Muncey, Bill Sterret Sr. Fred mentions a trailer boat that made them all skip a beat - see the nose-dive in progress by Miss U.S. Seattle. 1969
	Bardahl and Atlas Fred Alter and Jim McCormick. Seattle 1969
	Oh Boy Oberto Acapulco. 1981
	Bill Cantrell Sr., Judy and Fred Alter In Detroit. Date unknown
	PAY n PAK and Miss Budweiser In Evansville? 1974
	Towne Club and Miss Budweiser Fred Alter had spun out once and lost the tail. 1971
	I'm guessing this pooch's name is BUD! Six-pack would work too.
	Miss Vernors coming into the pits Fred Alter. This hull was the 67-69 Miss Bud. Detroit. 1975?
	Miss Towne Club Graham Heath, Fred Alter and Wally Wrobrouck(sp?).
	Such Crust IV This hull was the Gale IV, then the Yellowjacket/Hornet. In Washington D.C., September 1961
	Miss Atlas Van Lines This is the "Lead Sled" hull again, but without the twin-fin tail. Immediately after Bill Muncey won his 5th Gold Cup, tying Gar Wood's record! Detroit. 1972
	The last twin engine Gale boat Named Gale VI but was really a VII.
	Such Crust III and Tempo Driver: Fred Alter(?). Danny Foster to the right. About 1954
	Fred Alter showing off Miss Bardahl Notice the open exhaust pipes that give this away as a Rolls-Royce V12.
	4 "Interceptor" engines installed in Moosomin This isn't a raceboat, but an R.C.M.P. Patrol boat.
	Miss U.S. 1 Fred Alter driving. June 14, 1958 Photo by Detroit News Staff Photographer DENEAU.
	The original Blue Chip First it was Breathless II, then Blue Chip(?). Looks like this photo has been doctored for PR reasons. This hull is now the Hawaii Kai replica at the Seattle Hydroplane & Raceboat Museum.
	Schweppes On the move. Detroit. 1969 Photo by Ransier-Anderson Photography Inc.
	Such Crust IV This is the boat that Fred Alter later broke up in Washington D.C. First this hull was Gale IV, then Yellowjacket, then Such Crust. 1962-1964 Photo by Bob Carver
	Miss Cauffiel with Fred Alter driving Detroit Yacht Club in the background. 1973
	F-2 Miss Detroit and F-222 My Son Bill Muncey in My Son, Fred Alter in Miss Detroit. Detroit - 1951 perhaps? Photo by J Higgins
	Fancy Pants in Detroit Fred Alter getting her started. 1951-1952
	A nice shot with 4 boats Not sure what boats, but the CF-2 is Canadian. Buffalo - 1952 or 1953? Photo by Bruce Hancock
	A Such Crust and Barracuda Fred Alter and Gibson Bradfield driving, respectively. Detroit - The larger building to the left is the old Sindbad's. In the 50's.. maybe '54.
	Such Crust III Fred Alter taking Jack Schafer (owner) for a cruise. Detroit - 1956 Photo by Creative Services Inc.
	Fred Alter with trophies Someone stole them all from his garage years ago. :( About 1952 Photo by Louis J. Ramsey
	Owner of the Towne Club boat Taking a pleasure cruise. About 1975