Just picked this beast up this weekend way up in NorCal.

GRAND ILLUSION! I am the 3rd owner. Guy I bought it from had it for about a year. The guy before him was an old man who originally had it built in 76.
Boats crazy clean, original paint, interior, etc etc.. After I dumped it in the water Sunday I drove around Redding to get something decent to eat, after finally finding a place, I walk into this random restaurant way down a weird road, and this guy says "Hey, nice boat!" I said thanks, he said "I've had a lot of fun in that thing, My pops bought that boat brand new in 1977 and did all the motor work himself".  I said shit man thats so rad. "Have fun and be careful, we clocked it 107mph!"  And off he went!! Was it good or bad luck? 
On the drive back down to LA, I had a blow out on the rear 50miles south of Redding.  Fast forward to 1am and 450 miles later.. BOOM!!! trailer drops going about 65mph. I slowed down (staying  straight) and pull over VERY carefully. Luckily the pickle forks hit the bumper of the car very lightly and evenly leaving minor damage to the car only. That was some scary shit!! The safety clip came out the Pin holding the hitch into the receiver!! (NO IDEA HOW)... Already bought one with a LOCK..
here's a little info on it. 

1977 Eliminator Daytona
481 CI BBC Gen IV
2- Holley 660 Center Squirter Carbs
4Bolt Main
GM 7/16" Dimple Rods
Arias 13.5:1 Forged Pistons
Cross Drilled and Nitrited Steel Crankshaft
Solid Lifter Camshaft
Roller Rockers
Stud Girdles
10 qt chrom oil pan w/ windage tray and baffles
GM L-88 Rectangle Port Aluminum Heads
MLS Gaskets
Satinless Valves
Weiand Chrome Plated Tunnel Ram
Holley Electric Fuel Pump to 2 Holley Regulators
NOS 250 Shot Wet Fogger -(I disconnected!)
Geared Timing Set
CanyonScoot
MSD dist
MSD 6AL Ignition box w/ Rev limiter
12JG Berkley pumk
Split Bowl
Loader Grate
Intake Shoe
Ride Plate
Drop Snoot
Place Diverter
2- Russel Stainless 10 Gal fuel tanks.

107? Holy chit man!!!

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That's a damn nice. Boat. I wouldn't worry too much about the string of luck. And like W&R says,,,, towels will be your friend.

Thanks guys!! Hopefully I'll see some of you sometime this summer in Havasu, Parker, or Nacimiento!

My trailer came off on the 95 leaving Martinez a few years back. Boat hit bumper then passed me up and stopped on shoulder. Boat was okay and never trust a friend hooking up the trailer...which he still denies to this day. Nice float

When I hook up.  I drive ten feet ....stop.   Check it again.......and I STILL worry.

I think it was because I saw a very nice Cole come unhitched on hwy 62 almost to Earp and go out into the desert...it came off the trailer.... It stayed upright, but it was a v-drive and a mess.

Nice boat, we've got a '78. Take some towels cause those seats are gonna get hot !
Glad to hear everything turned out as good as it did. 

Towels for sure!!

Question, With all the info on the motor, The guy I got it from said to run about 25% Race fuel or 105octane and above if Im going to hammer it.  91 is fine if im cruising.. What do you think?  Ever see those Octane booster ball things you drop in tanks?

This is one of the best original Daytona's I think I have seen in awhile, I wouldn't change a thing on it. As far as the fuel, with that much comp I wouldn't risk running 91 even with octane booster.

This is one of the best original Daytona's I think I have seen in awhile, I wouldn't change a thing on it. As far as the fuel, with that much comp I wouldn't risk running 91 even with octane booster.

Thanks JMS! Definitely not changing a thing! I love this thing. Gonna go to Elsinore sunday before a big trip to Lake Powell in a few weeks.
Im gonna get some AV gas on the way out in Corona..

With that much compression I believe you're gonna have to run race gas. I wouldn't put
91 in it for anything, cruising or otherwise.
I'm sure there are people here to let you how many points of octane you'll need.
I think you could run C-12 but not sure how much less.

I would definitely find out before you try to GPS it !    Nice Daytona 

13.5:1 !!!! 
Whats C-12.  Iv got little less than 1/2 Tank left on 91 octane, and gonna fill the rest with Straight Race Fuel..  I talked to previous owner today, and said 25% - 50% Race fuel and the rest 91 is what he ran, and since then he's pulled the heads and said they were in perfect condition.. and he said he hit it hard a few times..