1964 Starcraft Dart Restoration

[ZachofAllTrades]

I plan to restore the ole girl, which I acquired in August 2012. The hull and seating will probably end up being close as possible to original, not sure about paint scheme(s) yet. There seems to be very few of these little runabouts out there, at least on the web anyways, so getting it close to original is sure to be a challenge, so anyone who has good photos, especially of interiors, please feel free to share em with me here! Now, if only I could figure out how to resize these pics so they fill the whole frame......


Love at first sight!



With holey bimini top, side curtains and rear apron missing. Talked PO down to $500.

 

[ZachofAllTrades]

Re: 1964 Starcraft Dart Restoration

Some interior details

 

[ZachofAllTrades]

Re: 1964 Starcraft Dart Restoration

I almost like the sleek, racy look with windshield and top removed.

 

[ZachofAllTrades]

Re: 1964 Starcraft Dart Restoration

We wanna drive it Now Dad!

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1964 Starcraft Dart Restoration

Excellente!!!

Hey, the best method for posting photos is through photobucket

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: 1964 Starcraft Dart Restoration

Nice looking rig & crew...

Having the bimini frame should make it easier to get a replacement cover fitted, might even have enough existing cover to use as a pattern.

Open a photobucket acct & paste the pix here:

WoodOnGlass' pix thread may help & there is also the Photoposting tips @Don's helpful how to's

 

[kfa4303]

Re: 1964 Starcraft Dart Restoration

Lookin' good lil' Captain!!! The best part of all is that he/we/you never outgrow that feeling. Boats rule!

 

[InMotion]

Re: 1964 Starcraft Dart Restoration

Nice boat man!!! Kidds look like they are thrilled to be in it! Great little boats ---- looking forward to following along!

 

[heyyou325]

Re: 1964 Starcraft Dart Restoration

You're gonna have a nice set up there. And probably plenty of help getting it ready for a few years.

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: 1964 Starcraft Dart Restoration

I noticed in IM's new Jet thread that you were interested in his flagpole bow light...

EDIT: I don't think his bow light that matches your's had the hole for either the burgee pole or a flagpole, the other smaller 1 does.....

Anyway, I may have a bow light I have no plans for, or a lens that will work w/ the light you have now...... Give me a day or 2 to hunt it up, and PM your info to me. If I have a lens, it's yours.... My Jet has the same light as IM does, looks slightly different then the 1 in your pix, but they are not very close, so hard to tell...

Many vintage lights used similar lens, keep an eye out @evil-bay for a badly pitted light, but decent lenses....

If you can find a # anywhere on your light, it may help you find lenses, here's a set of Atwood lenses, this vendor has several sets for sale, maybe all different...

 

[lakelover]

Re: 1964 Starcraft Dart Restoration

You can still get the Perko bow lights, pretty reasonable if you really shop around. I got one for my Jet Star - not original equipment, but I like the look of them. I don't recall ever coming across any replacement lenses though. jbcurt is right, probably your best bet for lenses is an old cheap-o on ebay.

Looks like a fun project, looking forward to seeing your progress.

 

[ZachofAllTrades]

Re: 1964 Starcraft Dart Restoration

Thanks guys. I've looked at Perko lights at various sites and they're in the $40-$60 range. I'd love to have a light that's even older and funkier looking, but I don't think blue lenses are legal in NH.

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: 1964 Starcraft Dart Restoration

Thanks guys. I've looked at Perko lights at various sites and they're in the $40-$60 range. I'd love to have a light that's even older and funkier looking, but I don't think blue lenses are legal in NH.

If you use an amber bulb, a blue lens should shine green. But, yes, often, older is not always the best/easiest choice...

There's a swoop'd finned bow light on evil-bay:

Besides, most vintage lights are going to be pitted like this one is. And many are made of poor quality pot metal that many chrome & powder-coat places may or may not work with.

 

[lakelover]

Re: 1964 Starcraft Dart Restoration

My original SC bow light has a lens that looks blue, but when it's backlit with a regular 12v bulb, it looks green.