Chris Craft possible collector’s boat?

[ATXastro]

I have acquired a 1975 Chris Craft Lancer 23 that I think might be the first one off the assembly line that year. I have attached a picture of the hull plate. The serial # is ORDZ-23-2001T.

It has the original Chris Craft Thermocon marine engine, “350 GLV” and the original Volvo Aquamatic 270 outdrive. (It’s the I/O, not the inboard)

It is in decent shape, although missing the original carb. It has fiberglass floors. I have the original owners manual that has diagrams of every part of the engine and outdrive, which is awesome!

My question is, can anyone confirm based on the plate that this would have been the first one off the line that year?

Also, is there a good market for such a boat ? I may want to sell it, as the engine and outdrive is quite different from the 87 & newer Mercruisers that I’m used to working on.

Thanks in advance !

 

[Scott Danforth]

call chris craft. however even if it was the first off the shop floor (boats are not build on assembly lines, they are build on the shop floor by hand) its still a 44 year old boat.

they are not collector boats.

the motor in the picture is not original. at least the ignition has been taken from a vehicle. it has no place on a boat..... that distributor = boom

 

[ATXastro]

Thank you for taking the time to reply sir. I hate to scrap it. Surely there must be some collector out there who would pay $1000 for it.

I did notice the intake and distributor were not correct. The rest of the engine & outdrive looks original, but I’m beginning to wonder. Thanks again.

 

[briangcc]

There's a saying...there's a captain for every chair (or something similar).

You may luck into someone who had one growing up and is willing to put forth a little effort to get a similar boat back to relive their dreams. Your best bet would be to get it cleaned up and in running order to sell it at the highest price possible. Otherwise it's a project with unknown issues and more than likely a power swap as the engine isn't usable in its current state.

As for scrapping it - it's your decision but I don't think Scott suggested that. More a matter of it being an old boat and unless garage kept for its entire lifetime, probably needs items such as stringers/floors/transom/engine/outdrive work to name a few. As I mentioned - long term project for someone.

 

[ATXastro]

Thank you for your thoughts. I'm with you...this boat has to be worth saving to someone.

It definitely doesn't need floors. Fiberglass and solid as a rock. It's such a cool boat, that a repower I feel would be worth it. Any idea what engine would hook up to this old 270 outdrive ? It has/had a Chris Craft 350 GLV.

Thanks again gentlemen.

 

[82rude]

Not to further rain on your parade I had a glass amf gypsy star that was as solid as a rock floor wise .I cut the floor up prior to taking it to the junkyard and there was rotted stringers and about 900 lbs of soaked foam.Thats not to say yours is just to let you know sometimes a solid floor doesn't mean a thing.

 

[briangcc]

Engine swap? No clue. Personally I'd be looking at a 5.0L MPI or better Merc with either Alpha or Bravo components which probably doesn't line up with your existing keyhole. See how that can of worms just exploded? At which point you're sinking a bunch of money into an older boat which you're not likely to get your money back on that investment. If its a boat you're going to use and enjoy, certainly worth the effort.

 

[Scott Danforth]

The motor was built by Crusader Marine, the Volvo Penta outdrive hole is rather large and it will take a new transom to put anything new in there for a driveline. If the boat was in good shape, and the motor was running, it may be worth $1k. However as a project, its a free boat

 

[shrew]

A 1938 Wooden Chris Craft is collectible.

A 1975 Fiberglass Chris Craft is NOT. It doesn't matter if it is verified Hull #1 with a valid CoA.

 

[444]

If you want to fix it for yourself as a cheap boat, go for it. If not, the value is probably in the trailer after the rest goes to the landfill.

 

[Ned L]

I pretty much agree with the others, though I do think there is some desirability in the boat, nothing close to collector value, but more than the average project boat of that age.

If the outdrive is good, a new 350 long block is cheap money.

 

[ATXastro]

Thanks for all of the comments. Very helpful. Love this site and always appreciative of responses.

 

[Lancer76]

I have a 76 Lancer 23 and I think it's a collector's item - I am the collector! It's a great boat though it would take a lot to get it into collector condition. A mid 70s Lancer overnighter was on Craig's list a few weeks ago in the Boston area for 25k. It was immaculate. It's no longer on CL so I assume it sold.

 

[ATXastro]

Hello Lancer 76, I just saw your reply. I agree. This is what they called a “Rally Package” special edition they were either orange or blue.

I do believe this to be the original engine. Amazingly, the ignition switch at the conn still works and I was able to turn the engine...it turns strong. I was further impressed when I did a compression test and got 125-150 across the board, except for one weak cylinder @ 105. Who cares !? This engine is a runner.

I threw a 1987 Mercarb on there and supplied fuel, hoping she would fire up. It wants to when I squirt fuel in the carb, but just won’t quite take off. I suspect either this carb is no good or I need to change the distributor. As Scott mentioned above, this isn’t the right one, which brings me to my question: What type of ignition is in your boat?

If if you haven’t seen these pages discussing the 70’s Lancers, get ready to be excited.

https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/CHRISCRAFTCOMMANDERFORUM/lancer-23-rally-package-t5672.html

https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/CHR...e-s-one-for-the-lancer-fans-lots-o-t1746.html

 

[Lancer76]

ATXastro, my lancer has a stock mercruiser 233 which is a ford 351. Not sure what you mean by ignition other than to say that I still use points and condenser - no electronic ignition. As long as the.points are clean and have the correct gap & dwell, it runs great.

Those are really nice photos of the brochures! Enjoy!

 

[72fj40]

23ft Lancers are great boats. It has hollow stringers, the only wood below the water line is about 2ft for motor mounts and transom. It's a Jim Wynn designed hull. A lot are neglected and cheap or have no value, others can be collected or have good value. I don't think it's #1 for that yr. I don't think their numbers work that way. Google the Maritime Museum, they might have info on your peticular boat for a fee. They have the old Chris Craft records. Ours has s a Mallory distributor.

 

[72fj40]

I need to make some corrections to my previous post. The Museum is the Mariners Museum and Park. Going thru some very vague research, it could be the 1st boat with the Rally Package. As for the #: O=Corsair Fiberglass, R=runabout, D=fourth series ?, Z=stern drive, 23ft T=produced in Chattanooga TN.

 

[Lancer76]

And my follow up is that I have a Prestolite distributor.

Lancer prices on CL in my area vary a lot. From free come take me to $23K. The "free to good home" lancer is an unusual layout. Being older, however, it doesn't have fiberglass floors like ours from the mid-70's.

 

[ATXastro]

Thanks for your replies. I picked up a proper distributor for it and I’m about to get this old gal running. If the outdrive and engine both run well, I’m fixing this thing up ! Should be pretty easy to do with the assistance of old stock photos. A nice running 23’ haus of a Lancer Rally Package with new seats and original “decor”?! I’m thinking it would take a really nice offer at that point to get her out of my driveway ! That’s a keep it forever boat.

 

[QBhoy]

Lovely looking boat...although many like me will admire such a boat, I’m not sure it could be in the collectors section quite yet. If it was an older wooden one...hell yeah...but I’d be holding onto a boat like this anyway. We all get attached to our boats, no matter what, but some are more special than others, haha. I’d never sell mine. Couldn’t even put a price on it. Nothing to compare it to...you may be the same soon enough.
All the best and keep her good !