RED ROVER is one a few very rare 1931 26 Foot Chris Craft Deluxe runabout, Model #212 with her A-120 825 cubic inch dual ignition V8 engine serial number #511, original to the hull. This model Chris Craft was called the “Custom Deluxe” model and she has the following unique features:
- Genuine leather Upholstery
- Armrests built into the sides of the front cockpits
- Streamlined hardware unique to this model with wind wings fitted to the windshield
- Original Dietrich Convertible Top
- Original A-120 V8 Engine Never been separated from the boat
RED ROVER was sold new to C.B. Morris of Les Cheneaux Islands in Northern Michigan. Delivered to E.J. Mertaugh Marina, in Hessel, Michigan in 1931 where she lived for many years. In the 1950’s & “60’s she changed hands and lived on Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. In the 1970’s, boat collectors from Michigan, Jim Brophy and Mark Mason acquired RED ROVER and made many upgrades and ran her extensively on the St. Clair River near Algonac. Around 1980 she was then sold to a member of the Walgreen Family near Chicago and renamed BIG ZIP. She has been at Lake Winnipesaukee for the past decade. These upswept Chris Crafts had on issue which had nagged many collectors. They had iron screws in the decks and coamings which eventually rusted and caused unsightly discoloration around the deck screws and eventually caused bungs to pop from the decks & coamings. No matter how nice one of these boats is, eventually they need to have major woodworking done to make them perfect again. Mr. Walgreen loved this boat enough that he undertook a major restoration with one of the master restorers at Lake Winnipesaukee. After the woodworking was completed the boat was set aside. For a variety of reasons she was stored away well protected and has never been completed.
She is now being offered for sale complete with her very nice A-120 engine, Dietrich Convertible Top, Genuine Green Leather upholstery. She is ready for a lucky owner to finish and reassemble, becoming one of the few survivors of these A-120 powered speedboats.
Price: $125,000.