Classifi eds

Bambi is a 1929 Chris-Craft Model 14 Hull No. 3021 Triple Cockpit Runabout. The boat is powered by its original engine, a 1929 Chris-Craft A70 V8 850-cubicinch 225-hp, with serial number 146. She was one of 169 28-foot custom runabouts made by Chris-Craft between 1929 and 1931.

She was delivered to Fish Creek, Wisconsin, on May 28, 1929. The name Bambi was on the transom and the Federal Number W-1505 was on the bow. These were reproduced at the time of refi nishing in 23-karat gold leaf.

If you look closely on both sides of the windshield, you will see one of the boat’s unique features: A triangularshaped wood frame window. This was a special feature that not all of the boats had.

I bought Bambi in 2016 and, at that point, the hull had been redone but there were no seats, engine, gauges or hardware. My goal in restoring Bambi was to keep her to the highest standards and as original as possible. The original engine was at a shop in Detroit being rebuilt and, because the A70 engines were so rare, the rebuilder had to make a lot of the parts.

When the boat was fi nished, we launched her in Lakeside Marblehead, Ohio. We fi nished the boat a week before she won a Platinum Award at the 2019 ACBS International Show in Alexandria Bay, New York.

I truly believe we are just caretakers of these old boats. How long could that boat of mine last if it’s taken care of and not left to sit out in the weather? Could it last another 100 years? Maybe, I don’t know. With proper care, they could last a very long time. After all, she’s already 90 years old.

The way I see it is that we are preserving history and saving literal works of art. It’s a service to society, if you will. I am honored to be able to do that to the degree than I can. —Bill Mack, Marblehead, OH ADD YOUR BOAT!

Email KBUSH@LAKELANDBOATING.COM if you have Classic Craft with a great story to share!