Note: Charles Mistele passed away in early March 2020. A few weeks before his passing, Charles mailed a handwritten story to the ACBS office, and this story was first published in memory of Charles and his life long commitment as the caretaker of Miss America IX. Now, we have recently learned of Diane Mistele’s passing on November 17, 2023. Diane was a driving force in the background behind Charles and Miss America IX, and we owe Diane our sincere gratitude for not only preserving this piece of race boating history but also for sharing it with the public for so many years. She jumped in the car from the very start and was there through it all!
by Charles H. Mistele member of Blue Ridge, Michigan and Sunnyland ACBS chapters
Gar Wood donated Miss America IX to the Algonac, Michigan, Lions Club in 1958. While passing thru Algonac in 1968, my dad and I saw her on a farm trailer with a sign advertising the Annual Pickeral Tournament. She was just a shell of her former racing days and the only thing left on her was the steering wheel, the bow rudder and the propeller struts. I found the Lions Club President and was told the boat would never be for sale. I left him with my business card in case that changed in the future.
The Lions Club called two years later as Chris-Craft had announced that the Algonac Factory would be closing and the storage space for the boat would be terminated. They also had contacted another buyer from New York that wanted to buy the boat. I was a former Olympic Class Sailor and knew a boat like this should not die this kind of death. I wanted to leave right away and drive the 70 miles to save Miss America IX, but my wife, Diane, had strong objections to this and reminded me that we had just moved and didn’t even have bedroom furniture. I had a strong feeling that I had to save this boat, and together with my wife and daughters left on a dangerous drive to Algonac in heavy fog. With Miss America IX now being protected by her third custodian, I with the help of my father Harold go to work preserving her as much as possible to original glory. The years had claimed her original engines and all but a few of her original fittings. I remember my father’s idea, that we knew a lot of people at GM and suggested they see if someone would donate a couple of Chevorlet racing engines to repower her. Harold promised “If you get the engines, I’ll pay to put them in.”
GM wasn’t officially involved in car racing at the time, so no engines were available for the restoration. I remember an unmarked van pulling up to the office and the driver coming in and saying, “I have something for you”. He backed into the repair garage, the overhead garage doors were closed, and he unloaded two 427 Chevrolet racing engines. He then said, “I was never here, you don’t know me, have fun.” Then he was gone.
As we worked on the preservation (not restoration) we were careful to only replace what was necessary. The original mahogany and gold leaf lettering, along with the dings and dents that were originally put there by GarWood and Orlin Johnson were not touched. A new exhaust system was fabricated to resemble the exhaust stacks from the original Packard V-12’s. The stacks stick straight up in the air and without a windshield, there is nothing between you and them excepts the wind. In the end, the boat weighs about 5000 pounds less than she did in 1930 and 1931.
What makes Miss America IX unique from the other surviving Harmsworh Race Boats (which are only a handful) from the Golden Age (1920 to 1933) is that she still is put in the water, creates a fine white spray, makes a lot of noise and goes fast. I and my wife Diane have spent the last 50 years traveling all over sharing the boat and its history with our DVD presentations. We have been to Canada, throughout the Midwest, Northwest, Florida, and the Southeast visiting boat shows, Concours, car shows and special events.
One thing we really enjoy is showing Miss America IX to children. The photo opportunities for parents are great and the children get to learn the history of the boat. With the parent’s permission not only do I allow the children on the boat but even allow them to start the engines. Imagine the excitement of being young, feeling and hearing 1,100 horsepower come to life! The thrill of doing that will always be remembered.
A memorable moment for me was a few years ago after putting the boat on her trailer at the Annual Sunnyland Show in Tavares, Florida. I was approached by one of the chapter volunteers who thanked me for bringing the boat again and wanted to say a final goodbye as he would not be there next year. As we spoke, I learned that the man had a stage four lung cancer and did not believe he would make it to the next show and regretted that he never had the opportunity to ride in the boat.
I looked him straight in the eye and said, “Next year at 9AM on Friday, I will take you for that bucket list ride. I will be here; you promise me you will be here too.” The following March the man was there to welcome myself and Miss America IX back. I kept my promise and we went for a thrilling high-speed ride. I later learned that the man passed away three months after that promised ride.
Pictured above, Charlie Mistele and Terry Fiest take a run in Miss America IX at Sunnyland Boat Show, Lake Dora Tavares, Florida. Denis Donohue was kind enough to send us a few pics from this year’s Sunnyland boat show in Tavares, Florida. On Friday night they announced that Charlie u and his Miss America IX would make some demonstration runs the following morning, 3/28/2015, at 7:00AM. Denis arrived at the docks at 6:30 to catch the action. One of the photos shows Charlie and Terry Fiest suiting up in original style garb over modern Life Vests and using the original helmets and goggles that Gar Wood and his mechanic used.
Wonderful article!
There is a professional quality video made @ 2014 Sunnyland event of riding in Miss America IX.
It is a tribute to the history of Gar Wood, the 1920’s, vintage footage of that era of racing for Harmsworth Trophy and 1st certified 100+ mph Boat, Miss America IX.
I had the good fortune to see Miss America IX in a Mistele Company storage building in the mid 70s. (along with Miss Canada). Then 40 years later see Miss America IX in water at Sunnyland.
In the early ‘80’s Harold lived in St. Clair MI and had a fine collection of boat along with Miss America. A week before the Gold Cup Races in Detroit a local TV station wanted to do a story on the Miss America. A news crew showed up and Harold said let me take you for a ride. The newsman was a little nervous but I helped put the camera on the front deck and with a dock line around his waist I crouched down between both engines and filmed the newsman on a thrilling ride of a100 mph. This was one of the most fun ride I had with Harold in Miss America. I went on to form Diamond Boat Works and still have a photo of Harold in my shop
Great story. That is what this hobby is all about.
In honor of the family’s preservation of ‘Miss America IX’, I read this reprint with a moment of silence to the memory of Diane. The September 1931 Popular Mechanics magazine issued race boat history facts in a story entitled “Burning Up the Water.” The mag’s cover page is priceless.
Kevin Bamerick, RBH, ACBS- Rudder
Great article! Hope the Miss America IX continues to be part of future boat shows, as well as her sistership, Miss America X.
Great story about Miss America IX and her caretaker. I always look forward to your updates on the hobby and the good stories, thanks, Larry B.😊
My connection with Harold and Charles goes way back to the late 70’s when they attended the Aiken’s wood boat gatherings in Algonac. These gatherings actually predated the Michigan ACBS Chapter and the Algonac Harbor Clubs existences. They eventually became active in the MI chapter. Our chapter has a very nice “Harold Mistele” trophy that Harold had made, with a replica of IX on the top, and dictated the criteria which a deserving member must have to receive it……..it is one of the most coveted awards in the MI Chapter each year.
I had the distinct pleasure of knowing Chuck and Diane for several years and was blessed by there dedication to each other and preserving the the history of Miss America IX. They will be truly missed by many.
Thank you for sharing this beautiful story. Diane will be missed by many. Deepest sympathy to her family and friends. Thank you for the photos also. What a treat to see. Nancy Bellamy ..Adirondack Chapter.
Had the opportunity to ride in Miss America IX while the boat was getting ready to be worked on at the Crusse’n Classic shop in Mooresville, NC. Still have a great picture of Charles Mistele standing next to the boat in 2020 at the Crusse’n Classic shop. Hopefully, the boat will have another chance to show people the wonderful history when the 100 mph number was reached!