I was unable to run it up to temperature as the raw water pump (pump that draws the water from under the hull into the engine cooling) decided to seize. The boat fired right up with good oil pressure. I did a minor tune-up of ignition components (Distributer Cap, Points, Condenser, coil, etc), new battery, and put in fresh gas. I just pulled the boat out of storage for this season and to prep for sale. A fresh coat of varnish was last applied a few years ago. Since its restoration the boat has only been operated in fresh water and inside stored. This was done to improve the boat HP and to significantly improve reliability and maintenance part availability. The Engine, transmission, and professional installation was done at a cost of $4500. Additionally, the original Chris Craft drivetrain was replaced with a GM Marine 4.3L V6 and a Borg /Warner (same as a velvet drive) transmission was professionally installed by Southport Marine in NC. This is a must for a trailered boat that you only plan to put in the water as needed. This is no longer a soaker bottom as it has been sealed with the West 5200 paint system. Restoration included:- Surface prep, strip finish, repair cracks and scratches, Saint and fair, bleach blond areas, stain with correct Chris Craft stain colors, varnish 8-10 coats, caulk deck seams, reapply lettering and stripe the waterline.- Bottom was painted and sealed. I have the receipts and description of the project. Over $10,000 was spent in the restoration of the wood itself. The boat was fully restored in 2009 by Lowell Boats of NC (a well known wooden boat restorer). They are significantly more collectible than the open cockpit sportsman version. This is a much sought after runabout model. This is an opportunity to own a true classic. Hagarty values this boat at $26,000 in its current condition (see attached photo). It is hard to put a value on a boat like this. Unfortunately Military relocation is forcing me to sell. Will let Demand and interest set the final value** No ReserveI have owned this boat since 2014. Included in the sale is the trailer seen in the pictures.1957 Chris Craft 17 Runabout** Low starting Price. We are trying to preserve the history Jim Street has created with this boat. We also had the super charger rebuilt and the engine gone through. In the more recent years the boat has had the bottom refastened, interior redone and a new wiring harness installed. This is the boat seen in the iconic "Beach Photo" staged with the Golden Sahara and was the featured attraction at the 2nd annual Bakersfield Motor and Boat Show in 1959 alongside the Golden Sahara II. The Interior featured an array of added instruments, a port-side dash and a Batmobile-style twin-grip yoke steering control. The hull modifications included painting the hull sides and iconic fin gloss black, blonde-stained covering boards, eight Buick porthole ventilators and quad exhaust tips. Soon after, a blower was installed to make the boat even faster. This enabled him to install a Henry Meyer-built Cadillac V-8. Since even the top-option Cadillac V-8 was not powerful enough for Street, he ordered the boat without an engine. BR-21-010 custom from Chris-Craft through his local dealer. Prior to Street’s passing in 2017, he was known as the only original Cobra owner left, having purchased the boat new in 1955 at the age of 21. This boat is believed to come about as a collaboration between Jim Street and his friend, George Barris. This 1955 Chris-Craft 21’ Black Cobra is perhaps the first-and-only true vintage Hot Rod boat in the classic-boating hobby.
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