Antique Boat Sales & Restoration
Katz's Marina, 2 Thompson Lane, Andover, NJ 07821 ~ 973.663.3214 ~ info@katzsmarina.com
This 1955 Chris-Craft 21’ Black Cobra is perhaps the first-and-only true vintage Hot Rod boat in the classic-boating hobby. This boat is believed to come about as a collaboration between Jim Street and his friend, George Barris. Prior to Street’s passing in 2017, he was known as the only original Cobra owner left, having purchased the boat new in 1955 at the age of 21. Street special-ordered Hull No. BR-21-010 custom from Chris-Craft through his local dealer. Since even the top-option Cadillac V-8 was not powerful enough for Street, he ordered the boat without an engine. This enabled him to install a Henry Meyer-built Cadillac V-8. He took delivery in February 1955. Soon after, a blower was installed to make the boat even faster. The hull modifications included painting the hull sides and iconic fin gloss black, blonde-stained covering boards, eight Buick porthole ventilators and quad exhaust tips. The Interior featured an array of added instruments, a port-side dash and a Batmobile-style twin-grip yoke steering control. This is the boat seen in the iconic "Beach Photo" staged with the Golden Sahara and was the featured attraction at the 2nd annual Bakersfield Motor and Boat Show in 1959 alongside the Golden Sahara II. In the more recent years the boat has had the bottom refastened, interior redone and a new wiring harness installed. We also had the super charger rebuilt and the engine gone through. We are trying to preserve the history Jim Street has created with this boat. Included in the sale is the trailer seen in the pictures.
Call our office at (973) 663-3214 or send an email to info@katzsmarina.com for more information. Visit us at Katz's Marina LLC, 2 Thompson Lane, Andover, NJ 07821.
1955 21' Chris Craft Cobra
Henry Meyer-built Cadillac V-8
Hull # BR-21-010
