Pre restoration photos of Chris Craft Cobra18'
Hull # BR-18-038
In 1956 the first year of use. This boat was bought new and shipped May 1, 1956. The boat was originally shipped May 9, 1955. It remained at the dealership until May 9 of 1956. The original owner Tom O'Brian liked the Cobra in 1955. He decided to wait until 1956, well Chris Craft discontinued the model. He then contacted Chris Craft and they found him three that were still at dealerships. He decided on this 18' model from Milam Bros. Marine Service Inc. Lake Hamilton, Hot Springs Arkansas. Shipment was by rail via Rock Island RR from Hot Springs to St Louis, MO then transferred to the Pennsylvania RR to Altoona, Pennsylvania. The boat was used on Raistown River near Altoona, PA. It was used from 1956 to 1966, not used in 1967 and then used one more year in 1968. The boat was used a total of 12 years.
Factory hull card, note the ship date 5-9-55. The boat was shipped from the dealer on 5-1-56 almost one year from original shipping date. (Note: You can get hull cards for any Chris Craft from the Mariners Museum, Newport News, VA.
In storage 1990 sitting on the original shipping cradel on a four wheel dolly.
As picked up in 1993.
The original decal from the dealership.
The hull plate from the boat.
Storage location chang in 1995.
The original shipping cradel.
The last registration sticker 1968, you can read the 1966 but the 68 is scrached off. The boat was not used in 1967. This boat has been out of the water since 1968 spent only one night outside.
October 2004 the boat being moved for the first time in 7 years. It is sitting on the original shipping cradel.
Being lifted on to a trailer.
Outside for the first time in 7 years. The boat spent one night outside. This was only the second night outside in almost 35 years. The restoration is started in October 2004.
Click here to go to the restoration page on this boat