TOPIC: Barracuda SS Resto-Mod

Finally finished the 1966 Correct Craft Barracuda SS:

Outstanding as usual Jan!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bob

With my jaw on the floor it is hard to find words...All I can say is I am still shaking my head and will go back and stair a bit longer after I hit submit!

Doc...you're embarrassing me. It's just another Correct Craft that received the "Nautilus Treatment"...the kind of thing that drives the Correct Craft purists nuts. I always use my mantra of "understated elegance" when I re-do these boats and that's where the 1955 Lincoln Wisteria (lavender) color comes in. The original "adobe dirt" color was more than I could handle. To me, "stock" is boring. (I thought the Hurst shifter arms was a nice touch.) I'm also not a fan of the Chrysler 318 which was junk when I received the boat. They're a plumbing nightmare and because of all the hoses, there's nothing I can do to make them look pretty, hence the lavender 350 Chevy....which offers a lot more aftermarket improvements as well.

This boat had right around a zillion spider web cracks in the topsides and required copious epoxy filler and sanding but it's a real collectible and worth the effort. Here's the Restoration Photo Log of the whole process:

www.nautilusrestorations.com/1966CorrectCraftBarracudaSS.html

Covered all over with sweet violets.... With that boat you can get the young miss in back of the barn to giver her a ..... lecture.
After looking at your progress pictures you make me want to start another...noooooooooo

I see your point about the original 318...the plumbing on the unit appears like it belonged in a "boiler room" never to be seen by a public eye (yet likely dependable and functional). The "today" engine looks designed to be proudly displayed (or at least wear out the shroud hinges showing it off). I also have been told by cars guys and tv shows that a Chevy engine is easier to "play" with as parts and aftermarket are plentiful. I personally have come to enjoy and respect the "Nautilus Treatment". Thanks for sharing the build! Maybe one day when I grow up, I will find a baby Blue (1980ish) Martinique with the bowed one piece window. www.correctcraftfan.com/reference/1980_brochure/images/page05.jpg

Ya Jan that's really cool. Just beautiful work , ideas and execution. Always liked the console look on those early glass CC's. The shift and throttle with the cue balls is the bomb.
Chris Craft Chevy V8 motors also have have the ugly plumbing syndrome, not sure why some make conversions get so busy .
I'm really liking the rest mod theme I'll be doing my 83 Resorter and have been scheming to approach it with the same in mind then flop back to a stock resto ...now ya got me in resto mod mode again!
Nice work as always, I'll be looking over your spider crack treatment, I have a Super G in the wings that has an ugly deck to deal with.
Randy

We dunked her yesterday. Everything worked... the gauges, lights, pumps...everything. (Incredible!) The engine fired up right away and all I had to do was adjust the idle. She's mean and loud...excellent!

Sweet, If memory serves me right we used to call them Bacarudas.

Great work. Sure looks nice in the sun and clear water. I can almost hear it. This boat will stir some conversation wherever it goes. You certainly pay attention to details! Wow is my word for it.

wow. that is some gorgeous work, love the resto-mod approach. What model hurst shifters are those? The shaft looks suspiciously like the one in my '05 Mustang...

I used Hurst 5387201 / 2387201 Replacement Chrome Plated Steel Shifter Stick, 6-3/8" Long. It was necessary to extend the length to adapt them to the original Barracuda shifting mechanism so I welded extensions on them and drilled holes where needed.