There are certain things in this world that will be cool until the sun explodes and swallows the Earth. Steve McQueen, Bigfoot 1, Ed Iskendarian, and Chris Craft boats. Even among that group of giants, certain things stand out. When it comes to Chris Craft boats, the 1955 Chris Craft Cobra is in elite company. With about 50 of them ever produced, they have a shape, a profile, and an overall appearance that are so right we can hardly stand it. Boat design, especially these boats borrowed heavily from automotive design in the 1950s. Just look at this thing.
The windshield, the fin, the interior, etc all have strong cues from the automotive world and we’re not saying that because we think Chris Craft ripped anyone off, we’re saying it because we think it is awesome. Hell, the car companies borrowed plenty back over the course of time as well. This boat is powered by a 131hp, triple carb equipped Hercules KBL flathead engine. Yes, one could opt for a 283ci Chevy small block in here but the KBL was a pretty strong second runner on the option sheet.
This boat is original, has the matching numbers engine in it and by all accounts is a spectacular barn find. It has been certified by the right people to take any worry away about accuracy or originality and the guy selling it has a load of photos on the ad. If you are someone who collects these boats we’re guessing that you’ve developed twitch already and if you are someone who has always wanted one of these boats, this could be your shot to hook a good one.
At this moment the bidding is at $33,000 and there is 4 days to go. This thing is going to be a big ticket!
Thanks for the tip Greg Hurlbutt!
eBay Link: 1955 Chris Craft Cobra for sale – original engine still where it belongs
I know you inadvertently omitted Snake from your list of all time cool. Anyway, I spent a few years of my youth (1957-1959) living on Big Cedar Lake, Wisconsin. The wooden Chris Crafts’ (honestly don’t recall this upscale version) were all over the lake in the summer (ice fishing huts in the winter). So cool to watch my fish older brother water ski for hours behind whoever would give him a pull.
Sweeeeet….
already over $40k.
I swear I remember seeing one of these fine mahogany master pieces on Lake Wawassee in Indiana back in the late 60\’s. Chris Crafts and Century and Donzis were the upper crust boats on the water as well as Thompson and Lyman wood boats. The sound of these gems burbling in the water was majestic.
Doooode. I love these so much. I may buy a Dumas R/C version for a holiday project. $45,200 is more than we have spent on both race cars. Well maybe not, but still.