MISS THRIFTWAY — Queen of the Thriftway Dynasty

MISS THRIFTWAY arrived on the Unlimited scene in 1955 like a shot across the bow. Backed by Associated Grocers president Willard Rhodes and guided by the engineering instincts of Ted Jones, she was more than a racing boat — she was a statement. And at her helm was Bill Muncey, a young, sharp‑witted driver whose blend of talent and charisma would soon make him the face of the sport. Together, they formed a team that didn’t just win races; they reshaped expectations.

From the beginning, MISS THRIFTWAY carried herself with a kind of inevitability. The first U‑60 was fast, balanced, and unnervingly consistent. Rivals learned quickly that if she showed up, she was a threat. Her early triumphs — including back‑to‑back Gold Cups in 1956 and 1957 — announced the arrival of a new powerhouse. Muncey’s marketing savvy only amplified the effect, turning the boat into a floating ambassador for both innovation and the Thriftway brand.

But it was the third MISS THRIFTWAY, launched in 1959, that became the legend. Cream‑colored with bold persimmon stripes, powered by a Rolls‑Royce Merlin, she was often compared to a P‑51 Mustang skimming the water. She came heartbreakingly close to winning the 1959 Gold Cup, then roared into the next season with a vengeance — capturing the 1960 National Championship and setting a World Water Speed Record. Her reliability bordered on myth: 55 consecutive heats without a mechanical failure, a feat that spoke volumes about Jones’ design and Jack Ramsey’s meticulous crew.

Her dominance only grew. Rebranded as MISS CENTURY 21 for the 1961 Seattle World’s Fair, she swept the Gold Cup and National Championship as if the new name had been hers all along. In 1962, she delivered one of the most commanding seasons in hydroplane history, winning five of six races and securing yet another Gold Cup and National Championship. By then, she wasn’t just winning — she was defining the standard every other team chased.

Across nearly three thousand days of competition, MISS THRIFTWAY became more than a boat. She was a symbol of precision engineering, fearless driving, and the power of smart promotion. Muncey became the sport’s winningest driver; Rhodes proved a grocery chain could become a cultural icon; and the Thriftway team etched itself into the sport’s mythology.

When she retired after the 1963 Seafair Race, her story didn’t end. Today, restored and preserved at the Hydroplane and Raceboat Museum in Seattle, MISS THRIFTWAY still runs exhibition laps that echo the thunder of her prime. For fans, she remains a reminder of a golden era — when beauty, speed, and unshakable reliability came together in one unforgettable hydroplane.