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Regards, Paul
The CC Commander series began many years before 1964, using traditional wood construction, and they are very fine boats (too).
However, the focus of this site, is the Chris Craft "fiberglass" Commander, which began in 1964 and lasted essentialy in the same general form until 1972.
These boats are bulletproof, and generally retain their value so well, they are often the candidate for a hundred-thousand-dollar refurbishing.
Here are a few photos of what a Chris Craft Commander looks like.
These photos are by Alarik von Hofsten, and they can be seen on his web site;
http://www.alarik.com/cc/Feature/Bradenton/Start.htm
Depending on power, these boats can really get up and run. This one is powered with modern replacement big block Chevys. The original boats were offered with small block Chevrolet, big block Lincoln power (the MEL 430 and 431 at a power rating of 275-hp), the Ford FE 427 at a power rating of 300, the Chrysler 413 and 426-B perhaps only during 1966 labor strikes that caused a scramble of engines to be offered that particular year.
Hopefully these few shots will give you an idea of why this boat is still so hotly sought after. Look at those classic lines, and then also remember those hulls are designed to withstand 3-times the stress of running full speed in a six foot sea
All of these photos are of the original 38-foot design that caused such a stir at the 1964 New York Boat Show. The design was done under secrecy, the boat was shipped under wraps, and nobody, even the dealers, had a clue about it before the sheets were pulled off at the boat show. This model became the muscle-cruiser of the era, especially when powered by those big blocks.
regards, Paul