|
Len Ellis has a side business making models of hydroplane racing boats. Hydroplane racing has long been one of Seattle's favorite sports, and a staple of the annual Seafair festivities. Len's car has been a regular feature at the Hydroplane Museum in Renton, along with the full-sized boats it's modeled on.
Hydro Mania is built on an old Honda Civic. In addition to racing scenes painted on the sides of the car, it features 3-D model boats racing across the hood and roof, and a rotating orange siren with attached hydroplane model going around and around. |
The rear of the car has a beautiful painting of the swirling wake as seen from directly behind one of the boats. On the roof is a plywood cutout of the boats' gigantic wakes, like a dorsal fin, shooting out the turbo ports of several model racers, along with a diorama of the spectator fleet tied up along the log booms, just like the real Seafair races every August on Lake Washington.Hydro Mania is one of the favorites at Seattle Art Car events and school visits, at which it is regularly featured. Hydromania is the little brother of a bigger art van Lenny is constructing for bigger impact! |
