Archives West Finding Aid
Table of Contents
Stanley S. Sayres papers, 1950-2004
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Sayres, Stanley S
- Title
- Stanley S. Sayres papers
- Dates
- 1950-2004 (inclusive)19502004
- Quantity
- 1.63 cubic feet (3 boxes including 7 film reels and 1 CD)
- Collection Number
- 6139 (Accession No. 6139-001)
- Summary
- Clippings, reports, correspondence, and other papers related to Stanley Sayres and his involvement with the Slo-Mo-Shun hydroplane, which set a world speed record in 1950
- Repository
-
University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections
University of Washington Libraries
Box 352900
Seattle, WA
98195-2900
Telephone: 2065431929
Fax: 2065431931
speccoll@uw.edu - Access Restrictions
No restrictions on access.
- Languages
- English
Biographical NoteReturn to Top
Stanley S. Sayres (1896-1956), the owner and driver of the Slo-mo-shun hydroplanes, moved to King County in 1932. He was in the automobile business and headed the American Automobile Company, a Chrysler car dealership at 1001 Broadway in Seattle, and an auto parts store in the University District. Sayres also owned the Jen-Cel-Lite Corporation, a manufacturer of cold weather clothes.
He became interested in speedboat racing in 1926 in Oregon, and his interest continued after he moved to King County, Washington. In 1949, Sayres built a 17-room home on the east side of Hunts Point near the point's north end (4450 Hunts Point Road), along with a boathouse for his hydroplanes. Hunts Point is on the east side of Lake Washington.
Sayres had owned and raced smaller boats, but he wanted to try for a world record. With this in mind, he commissioned Ted Jones to design the Slo-mo-shun IV and Jensen Motor Boat Company, at the north end of Seattle's Lake Union, to construct it. Jensen Motor Boat Company launched the 28-foot-long, 4,750-pound hydroplane in October 1949.
Sayres established a world speed record (160.3235 mph) for hydroplanes while driving the Slo-mo-shun IV on June 26, 1950. The Slo-mo-shun IV was King County's own: the owner, designer, builder, mechanics, and crew were all Seattle and King County residents. The only parts of the hydroplane not constructed in Seattle were a surplus World War II airplane engine and the boat's propeller.
(Information retrieved from Pacific Coast Architectural Database and History Link)
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
Papers related to Stanley Sayres and his involvement with the Slo-Mo-Shun hydroplane. Includes newspaper and magazine clippings, reports and performance records, telegrams, memos and statements, records relating to publications about Slo-Mo-Shun and Stan Sayres, Unlimited Hydroplane Hall of Fame newsletter, achievement certificates, blueprint for the Slo-Mo-Shun IV, posters, correspondence, magazines featuring Slo-Mo-Shun or Stan Sayres, artifacts depicting Slo-Mo-Shun (matchbook, decorative pins, trading cards, wooden model, ceramic model, and tie), film reels with Slo-Mo-Shun footage, and CD with "Mr. Slo-Mo-Shun" footage.
Use of the CollectionReturn to Top
Restrictions on Use
Creator's copyrights transferred to the University of Washington Libraries Special Collections.
Administrative InformationReturn to Top
Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Box | ||
| 1 | Matchbook featuring Slo-Mo-Shun | undated |
| 1 | Decorative pins featuring Slo-Mo-Shun | undated |
| 1 | RD Sayres Department Store postcard | undated |
| 1 | Hydroplane trading cards | undated |
| 1 | Men's tie featuring Slo-Mo-Shun | undated |
| 1 | Newspaper and magazine clippings | 1950-2004 |
| 1 | Reports and performance records | 1950-1956 |
| 1 | Telegrams | 1950-1956 |
| 1 | Memos and statements | 1951-1955 |
| 1 | Records relating to publications about Slo-Mo-Shun and Stan Sayres | 1952 |
| 1 | Unlimited Hydroplane Hall of Fame newsletter | 1990 |
| 1 | "Exhibit-Originals" | 1950 |
| 1 | Certificates | 1950-1955 |
| 1 | Slo-Mo-Shun IV blueprint | 1952 |
| 1 | Posters | 1956 |
| 1 | Correspondence | 1951-2000 |
| 1 | Magazines featuring Slo-Mo-Shun or Stan Sayres | 1950-1980 |
| 2 | Award plaques | 1951 |
| 2 | CD (Mr. Slo-Mo-Shun) | undated |
| 2 | Film Reel (Torpedo Boat Explodes) | undated |
| 2 | Film Reel (World Record-Gold Cup) | 1949-1950 |
| 2 | Film Reel ( Slo-Mo-Shun 1950/1951 Gold Cup) | 1950-1951 |
| 2 | Film Reel ( Slo-Mo-Shun IV) | 1955 |
| 3 | Wooden model of Slo-Mo-Shun | undated |
| 3 | Ceramic model of Slo-Mo-Shun | undated |
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Hydroplanes--Washington (State)--Seattle
- Motorboat racing--Washington (State)--Seattle
Personal Names
- Sayres, Stanley S. 1896-1956--Archives
Form or Genre Terms
- Ephemera
- Records (Documents)
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Personal Papers/Corporate Records (University of Washington)
