1956 Chris Craft "Continental"

[Barry Wolk]

I've noticed in some bios that some of you are wood boat fans. About 6 years ago I acquired a 1956 18-foot Chris Craft Continental to tow behind my 1956 18-foot Continental Mark II. I bought it purely as a prop, as I am not a boater.

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg18/barry2952/CC%20Continental%20restoration/IMG_1745.jpg

However, a Google search of the word "Continental" led me to a series of mahogany utility boats that one could call luxurious, ranging from 18 to 23 feet and from 6-cylinder to twin engined V-8s. The distinctive bullnose bow went so well with the style of the Mark II that I had to get one.

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg18/barry2952/CC%20Continental%20restoration/Jul2902.jpg

I searched for awhile. They were available as pattern boats or fully restored gems that are only in the water long enough to get judged. I wanted something in-between, but ended up with a gem, none the less.

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg18/barry2952/CC%20Continental%20restoration/Picture0006-1.jpg

I found a boat in Canada that the owner said was a near perfect example that had never been sanded. I found that hard to believe until I saw the required Canadian evaluation. It no longer had the original 130hp KFL engine, replaced with a 165hp Crusader V-6, the only outward sign being the 3" addition to the bottom of the motor housing. The only other hidden change is that the boat has been converted to 12-volt.

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg18/barry2952/CC%20Continental%20restoration/IMG_1729.jpg

Everything else is original, the chrome gleams like new, the black alligator upholstery still supple and 98% of the bilge paint intact. It's an absolute time capsule. The story I got, backed up by factory records, was that the boat was ordered by a New York dentist that had a summer place in Northern Canada where the boating season is what, two weeks long? I'm told that that's what explains the black interior, the fact that they want as much heat on the seat as they can get. I'm told that the boat was taken out of the water every time it was used, accounting for the original anti-foul paint and waterline mark. While yellowed to a honey color you can tell that the caulking under the varnish has never seen sandpaper.

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg18/barry2952/CC%20Continental%20restoration/IMG_2032.jpg

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg18/barry2952/CC%20Continental%20restoration/IMG_2037.jpg

Show me your wood toys.

[Shelly Harris]

Boat looks gorgious.... what year?

[Keith W Colonna]

Like Barry, I bought my Chris Craft as an accessory and prop.
Photos of my 42' 1956 Chris Craft Corvette 3 cabin fly bridge cruiser is attached. This is the world's most rare CC according to the CC archivist Jerry Conrad at the Newport News, VA Mariners Museum, where the CC archives were donated. It took two years to build...I have the factory drawings with all of the custom changes. After the boat was built, it was determined to be an impractical design and in its place the 36 Corvette was put into production for just two years. The modeling rights were sold to Sterling and a 4 foot radio controlled pond boat model kit was sold in the 1950's. I've got one. The 42 foot is a "planing hull" design....goes 27 mph with the two Chrysler Hemis. It has only an 11 foot beam...narrow and fast, but with only 8" walkways. Because of the interior layout one must climb stairs every 4 steps to get from the rear cockpit through the captains quarters up to the bridge deck and then down to the salon and again down to the galley and forward berths. But, because of the unique "car doors" cut into the bridge deck...I can handle and dock this boat...all by myself!..no crew required.
This boat, and the other 17 in my fleet have given me some "wooden boat" credibility within the Antique and Classic Boat Society where I was shunned as Ambassador of the Glasspar G-3 Owners Club. I am really an outboard finned fiberglass runabout guy at heart...now president emeritus Tidewater chapter Antique and Classic Boat Society.
Barry, you should join the ACBS and also the Chris Craft Antique Boat Club...just for the tech support and magazine alone.

[Barry Wolk]

I found the ACBS even less friendly to newcomers than the old LCOC, if that's possible.:rolleyes:

[Hal W May]

Barry: this was my initial restoration-finished in '02-I,m currently in the middle of a 1959 18' chris continental. The triple is quietly my P and J. Eyeballs and conversation whereever we go. Frisco, Colo this summer. Any questions-I'm happy to share. Hal

[Barry Wolk]

Show a picture of the '59 Chrissy. Does it have the hard top?

[Hal W May]

The '59 ain't ready to have it's pictur took yet-no top. What it's most proud of is it's freshly overhauled 283 ci chev-cc engine.

[Barry Wolk]

283's were an optional engine in '56, but most got fitted with I6 engines.