If you ever get tired of buying classic cars, either in reality or in your imagination, you might try bidding on a wooden boat. Collector cars and boats have more in common than you might think. Engines, for example. They both need one (or two in the case of some boats) and in fact they often share the same basic powerplant as automobile engines are often modified for pleasure craft. And then there's the use of wood. You'll find plenty of it in the frames of old cars, in interior trim, and on the exteriors in the case of woodies. Classic boats, of course, are constructed with beautiful wooden hulls and decks.
Even design has its crossovers. "Boattail" cars like the famed Auburn Speedster were styled after the hulls on racing runabouts from the early part of the last century. Wraparound windshields on 50s and 60s sport boats were lifted directly from automobile design, along with instrument gauges and steering wheels. Indeed the fun of driving a classic boat and classic car is not too different, although the boat, if it's large enough, can be used for socialising, as a place to sleep, and as a substitute for a summer cottage. So if I've piqued your interest with this comparison, let me draw your attention to a couple of upcoming classic boat auctions. Note: be prepared to pay prices similar to classic cars, especially if the boat is rare, in excellent restored condition, or has an interesting history.
The elegant 1964 cruiser at the top of this blog is appropriately named the Motor Yacht Elegante. A one-of-a-kind creation of the Whiticar company it was commissioned by John Hay "Jock" Whitney, a multimillionaire sportsman whose multifaceted career included roles as a publisher, financier, philanthropist, and horse breeder. 63' long, the Elegante is said to exhibit exceptional stability in rough seas while enjoying a top speed of 24 knots. It can sleep four people in comfort and host up to 25 for day cruises and parties. Needless to say, as a millionaire's yacht, it features luxury appointments. You can bid on the Elegante at Mecum's auction during the Ft. Lauderdale International Boat Show on October 30, 2010. Bring money.
Coming down a bit, though not much, is Mecum's Wooden Boat Auction, near Minneapolis/St. Paul, on October 15-16. Mecum's lists an astounding 106 entries at this writing, including such historic makes as Hacker, Chris-Craft, Greavette, Ditchburn, Garwood, and many others. Most of the craft in this sale are open runabouts or classic cruisers from the Warner Collection though I notice that at the bottom of the list are three duck boats, a Pabst Racing Boat, and a Peel canoe. That last one might just fit my budget. Oh… and did I say there's a strong association between vintage boats and cars? Check the above poster, for a Dodge Watercar.
Horace and John Dodge, those of automobile fame, built the first Watercar in Detroit in 1924. Horace E. Dodge , Jr. then became obsessed with power boat racing, for racing successes were a sure way to advertise the product. He spent an estimated $1,000,000 pursuing fame and promoting the Dodge name and won the all-important 1932 and 1936 Gold Cups. The Dodge boat factory in Newport News, Virginia, was the largest and most modern of its kind in the world, turning out hundreds of craft each year. Sadly, economic woes from the depression led to the plant closing in 1936, but you can still own a Dodge Watercar by bidding on one of the three from this Warner Collection auction.