BF Auction: 1956 Chris Craft Capri 19′

• Seller: Jonas D ethman
• Location: Eagle, Idaho
• Mileage: 0 Shown
• Chassis #: CP-19-436
• Title Status: Missing
• Engine: Chris Craft V8

Chris Craft was among the most prestigious brands in the boating world, with a history dating back to 1874. They built everything from small fiberglass boats to yachts, but their most iconic are the mahogany pleasure boats they built during the 1950. Their boats were popular with celebrities like Elvis Presley, Dean Martin, and Frank Sinatra. It’s easy to see why, they are works of beauty that were also very fun for a day out on the lake. They are still very sought after by those who collect and appreciate wooden boats. This example is a 1956 Capri 19′ with the V8 engine. We are helping the owner find new homes for their Porsches and this boat! It’s located in Eagle, Idaho, and is being offered here as a Barn Finds Auction.

The seller purchased this boat nearly 20 years ago from a garage in McCall, Idaho. Situated on the south shore of Payette Lake, McCall has long been a popular vacation destination for residents of the Boise area, and during the summer months, boating is one of its top attractions. Given the area’s affluence, you still see vintage wooden boats on the water, and each year, the community hosts a wooden boat show. While the seller doesn’t have documentation detailing the boat’s history, it looks to be quite original throughout and would back up their claim that it was stored indoors for most of its life.

We were truly impressed by the condition of the boat’s interior. We’ve seen cheaper boats from this era, and their upholstery is usually in a sad state. This one isn’t perfect, but it could be cleaned, conditioned, and used as is. All of the gauges and controls are present and in good condition.

Under the engine cover, you’ll find a Chris Craft-branded V8. It appears to be a Chevrolet V8, and given the year, we would assume it’s a 283. Our research shows that just 768 Capris were built between 1955 and 1958, but it isn’t certain how many received this engine. Most were equipped with a flathead inline-6, but they also equipped some with Cadillac and Chrysler V8s. Since there’s no documentation, it’s hard to say if this one started life with the V8 or was upgraded later, but it wears the correct shade of Chris Craft blue and all the correct stickers. While not the most powerful option, this one is a great balance of performance and durability.

Restoring a wooden boat isn’t a small task, but this one looks like a great place to start. Its hull hasn’t been coated in fiberglass, which is a cheap fix for a leaky boat, but it tends to seal in moisture and cause further damage. There are modern repair options that don’t require replacing the wood, and that might be a good option with this one. These boats are rare, especially unrestored examples, so hopefully it can be put back on the water without needing a complete restoration. Be sure to take a closer look at the photos below. And if you have any questions for the seller, please leave them in the comments. So, will you be hitting the lake in this Capri?

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