Description

MISS BARDAHL "GREEN DRAGON" (U-40) UNLIMITED HYDROPLANE

FULLY BUILT AND READY TO DISPLAY MUSEUM QUALITY SHIP MODEL

Dimension approx.: 26″ L x 11″ W x 5.5″ H
The model is already built. THIS IS NOT A MODEL KIT
Authentic gauges, dials and chrome steering wheel on dash
Authentic gauges, dials and chrome steering wheel on dash
Brass Propellers and rudders

The Green Dragon: Miss Bardahl’s Rise to Power

Before she became the Blonde Bombshell or the Checkerboard Comet, the Miss Bardahl first carved her legend into Unlimited Hydroplane history as the Green Dragon—a sleek, emerald‑painted predator that seemed to prowl the racecourse with purpose. In the early 1960s, when the sport was exploding in popularity and competition was fierce, the U‑40 emerged as a symbol of speed, innovation, and unshakable consistency.

Ole Bardahl, the charismatic oil‑additive magnate behind the team, had already tasted success with earlier boats. But it was the Green Dragon era—powered by the brilliant driving of Ron Musson—that transformed Miss Bardahl from a strong contender into a dynasty. Musson, already respected for his skill and calm precision, found in the U‑40 a machine that matched his temperament. Together, they became one of the most feared combinations in the sport.

The Green Dragon’s rise began in earnest in 1963, when Miss Thriftway—the dominant force of the previous years—scaled back its racing schedule. The opening left by Thriftway’s absence was all the opportunity Bardahl’s team needed. The U‑40 struck quickly, winning three races, including a defining victory at the Detroit Gold Cup, where the Dragon’s emerald hull flashed across the finish line as if announcing a new era. Fans recognized the moment instantly: the torch had passed.

From there, the Green Dragon only grew stronger. In 1964, she swept through the circuit with a mix of raw speed and mechanical reliability that few teams could match. Another Gold Cup, another Seafair Trophy, and another High Point Championship cemented her status as the boat to beat. By 1965, even missing the season opener couldn’t slow her down. Four more victories—including the Gold Cup in Seattle and the UIM World Championship at Lake Tahoe—gave the U‑40 her third straight national title.

On the water, the Green Dragon was unmistakable. Her deep green paint scheme shimmered under the sun, and her distinctive roar echoed across lakes and rivers from Detroit to Seattle. Fans lined the shores just to watch her lift onto plane, skimming across the surface with a confidence that bordered on arrogance. She wasn’t just fast—she was commanding.

But the Green Dragon was more than a boat. She was the foundation of a dynasty, the machine that turned Miss Bardahl into a household name among Baby Boomer race fans. She set the standard for excellence that later Bardahl hulls—the Blonde Bombshell and the Checkerboard Comet—would carry forward. And even after the tragedies and triumphs that followed, it was the Green Dragon that first made the U‑40 synonymous with dominance.

Today, decades after her last run, the Green Dragon still lives on. Among longtime fans, the name “Miss Bardahl” still conjures the image of that emerald hydroplane slicing through the spray—fearless, fast, and unforgettable.

The Green Dragon wasn’t just a boat. She was the beginning of a legend.