1946 46 Ford Flathead V8 60-hp Vintage Hydro * Trailer Included

Description

1946 Carver Charles Carter Custom Made Hydroplane Wood Racing Boat 1946 Ford Flathead V8 60 Vintage Hydro This is a rare opportunity to own a piece of boating history and a real treasure for any serious boat collector. This boat was custom built in 1946 by Charles Carter, co-founder of Carver Boats, before he founded Carver Boats. Charlie was an airplane enthusiast who throughout his career built, fixed, flew, and sold airplanes. He started his career as a mechanic at Bell Aircraft in Buffalo, NY. From an early age Charlie also had a fascination with boats, and he loved to race a wide variety of watercraft as a hobby. These experiences no doubt played a role in the design and construction of this racing boat that he engineered. In the ‘40s he ran a Chris Craft agency, and he built two marinas in Green Bay and the Fox Valley. In 1953 Charles Carter and George Verhaven started Carver Boat Company (now Marquis Yachts of Pulaski, WI), which specialized in building high quality mahogany-planked high-speed runabouts. Charlie is alive and well at 101 years-old, and I had the good fortune to talk to him about this boat. His recollection was vivid, and he filled me in on a lot of details. The engineering on this 70 year-old wood boat is intriguing and a learning experience. It retains its original Ford Flathead V8-60, vintage Edelbrock dual intake, and finned aluminum heads. The motor was installed in reverse so that the drive shaft is running off the “front” of the engine and in a direct line from the drive shaft to the propeller. There is a hand air pump on the cowl to pressurize the tank to supply fuel to the carburetors. It has a sophisticated water cooling system consisting of a separate pump run by a sprocket and chain. The hand-formed gas tank is clean and in working order. Interestingly, “Boeing” is inscribed on the gas tank’s filler neck. The engine runs perfectly and emits a beautiful sound. You hate to shut it off; it’s so pleasing to listen to. The interior is in excellent serviceable condition with no rips or tears in the upholstery. All the gauges are original to the boat when built and appear to be in excellent condition. It also retains the original wood accelerator pedal. The trailer has early Ford wire wheels, and the fenders appear to be Indian motorcycle. In the water, Charlie said it goes over 80 mph. Please see pictures. There is no hull identification number or title associated with this boat. Sold on bill of sale only. Sold as is. No warranty. We will consider trades for classic cars. If you have any questions, please email or call Larry at 920-360-3595** Important ** If you have a feedback rating of 2 or less, please contact us prior to bidding. Otherwise we reserve the right to cancel your bid.