In 1965, Bert Everingham built a raceboat for himself which he called ‘Flea’. Driven by Tony Ryan for the Everinghams, the boat competed successfully and won most everything in local and Victorian races for the 155 cubic inch Class.
The boat was probably one of the first of a new sleeker design from the Everingham stable - it certainly had appealing lines and attracted attention wherever it appeared. One of those who found the boat desirable was Bob Hayter who had known the family for some 20 years and, in 1967, he ordered a new Everingham and asked that it be made like ‘Flea’.
The new boat was duly constructed and Bob went along to take delivery, only to find that it was not like ‘Flea’ as he'd expected.