July 27th 1938,
the first 19' Custom is delivered from the Chris-Craft
plant. She is hull #48500 in a series that will span
to
48646 for the 1939 model year.
Hull Numbers
48500-48643
48646 exported as a 1939 model
Total 1939 production = 145
Engine and Model Data
We will
start our in depth look at the 19' Custom series with
the hardware for the model year. It is my intention
to dissect the boat
piece
by piece, topic by topic to reveal the true differences
between the model years of 1939-1942.
Hardware: Fairleader
This
unique piece seems to have picked up the nickname of
“Pig nose”. It was standard
equipment for the 1939. Screws to fasten should be
#8 oval head common. At this time finding an original
example is difficult but reproductions are available.
Lifting Rings
The
lifting rings are unique to the 1939 model year with
respect to the future model
years. When you look at the '39 and then look at
the '40 you might not catch the difference right
away—but look closely. The '39 model used “double-winged”
eyes with a wing on fore and aft. (See the picture below).
These eyes were used throughout
the 1939 production. It is very interesting to note
that in some factory photos there is a 1939 model
with the 1940 style lifting rings. We can only speculate
that some time Chris used different hardware during
a production without making a design change memo
on it.
Deck Horn
This
is a very “of the period” item.
The “turtle” horn as I like to call it was standard
equipment for the 19' Custom. It was used throughout
1940 production as well. This piece is not that difficult
to find these days. Chris-Craft used it
on many different boats in that era. You can find
them on Ebay or with some of the parts guys from
time to time. The bowl on top is typically cracked
and cannot be repaired. A big thanks to Jim Murdock
for solving this problem and creating a stamped replacement.
See the parts page for more detail or send
me an e-mail with your questions.
Bow Light
The bow light used on the 1939
model is the same for all the others. It is a standard
casting
that Chris-Craft used for many years. The jack staff
is vertical. While we are on the subject, there are several
places to get a new staff and pennant. The pennant should
be sewn cotton—not nylon. 
Cutwater The
cutwater is not the end of the world if you are missing
it or have one that is damaged
beyond use. Chris used these on many boats and there
are sources for reproductions. My only caution is
to make sure you have a pattern for the new one to
get the size correct. The very best method is to
get your new one custom fit to your hull. See the
parts page for link.
Fender Cleats
These
were standard equipment for all the 19' Customs. The
only exception is if the boat was special ordered without
them. Again there
are reproductions available from many sources. They
measure 2" in length and six were used. Two
on the bow, two amidships and two on the stern.
Bugatti
Windshield
You can’t help but fall head-over-heels
for the style of the period. Dare I say very Art-Deco?
The “Bugatti” style was standard equipment
for the 1939 and 1940 model years. We do know of one
1940 boat that was special ordered with a Sportsman windshield.
I think you will agree that the
unit is more form than function. It can be rotated to
any angle desired and fixed in that position with thumb
clamps. Often you will see the screens down over the
deck to get the full effect of the wind in your face.
It is actually two separate units and it would be extremely
rare to find an original if you were missing it. I know
of only one place to get a reproduction and you better
be sitting down when you look at the price. I think my
wife said it best when she described it as “The
boat with the cool sunglasses!” 
Step Pads
One
might think this item to be simple and straight forward
but think again.
Lets start
with the 1939 single-piece covering board model.
As you can see from the picture belowm the hideum is
interrupted
by the step pad frame on both cockpits. A decorative
trim piece covers the break. As we move into the
1939 two-piece covering board models the speculation
begins. The question arises about proper step pad
placement after the cover board change. We know for
sure that the 1941 model has the step pad moved down
so that the hideum is not interrupted. From my research
and looking at my own boat and original factory photos
I have come to the conclusion that the proper placement
for the frames on the '39 and '40 models should break
the hideum.
“Bear
Claw” vents These vents were standard on the
1939 and 1940 model years. Later they were changed to
four “cup” vents in mid 1941. I think they are some of
the best looking pieces of hardware that CC ever put
on. Originals are still out there but you will have to
look hard. Reproductions can be had from a number of
sources. 
Hatch Handles
Nothing
too unusual about the handles sometimes referred to
as “T” handles.
They certainly fit the period with regards to shape.
Take
note of the proper bolt that holds the handle.
Reproductions are available.
Stern flag pole base and flag pole
The stern pole base is a vented
one and reproductions are available. The flagpole uses
a “Bee Hive” glass fixture at the top. You
can pick up an entire pole ready to finish from several
sources. Note the location at which the flag is secured
to the pole. 
Gas Cap and trim ring
These were standard items used
on most pre-war boats. They differ from their post-war
sisters only in the fact that they are not perfectly
round. The correct one has scalloped indentations.
Special note; look at the location
of the pole in the picture. This is a 1939 one piece
covering board model. You will note that when the
design change went to a two piece the location of
the pole was moved aft closer to the gas cap. Reproductions
available.
Rear Chocks
Here
is another example of something you might think is
straight forward but is not. The chocks
used on most 1939 and '40’s are
5" CLOSED
chocks. Now what gets strange is that I have viewed
a factory photo of a '39 (in the 1940 catalog) and
it clearly has OPEN chocks. My best guess is that
most all of the boat have closed chocks with the
possible exception of a few that had open installed
at the factory. The guy on the line might have put
a few on one particular day while he was waiting
for the next batch of closed chocks to show up. It’s
possible!
Specifications and Styling
We
will start with the covering boards. Starting with the
first
hull #48500 Chris-Craft
used
a single piece of 16/4 board to form the curves you
know today as the “Barrelback”. To say
that the manufacture of these boats was challenging
has to be an understatement. Many have wondered,
over the years, how many of these were actually produced.
Thanks to Bud Besch of California, we know that
the cut off was around hull #48598. At that time Chris-Craft made the design change and went with a two-piece
covering board to finish out the 1939 model year. This
two-piece design continued throughout the 1940-42 years,
which we will get into later. It is easy to tell
the difference because of the white stripe that separates
the two piece model. It has become increasingly difficult
to find 4" thick
Phillipine mahogany. There seems to be no supply
in the country. Most restorers have resorted to using
Honduras
mahogany.
Dashboard and instrumentation Moving
on to the dash board style we can easily see the
distinctive features on
the
1939. Most apparent is the glove box on the left
and the instrument cluster set in its own frame. 
Steering Wheel
Moving
along to the steering wheel for the 1939 we have
a very attractive Banjo wheel. This wheel has 3 spokes
and each
spoke has a total
of 5 wires. In the past there has been some controversy
about the proper color. Research has revealed from
several sources that the original wheel is a 1937-38
Chevrolet. This special wheel had what we are calling
a speckled or marbleized look throughout the plastic.
There was a matching horn button for it and the
column
was painted black for '39. I have personally looked
at an original wheel and observed this speckle,
it is authentic. If you study the original factory photos
you can see the speckle even in black and white.
In years past this wheel has never been available
for restorers. Thanks to Al Schinnerer at California
Classic Boats, this
rare and authentic piece is now available. The
picture below is of
a 1940 model that
used the same speckle but only 4 wires per spoke.
Upholstery and interior
The
predominant color of the interior for 1939 seems to
be maroon leather. The
exact shade
is very speculative and there is no one standard
for judging. There were a few exceptions including
one special order red, white and blue exported to
Hawaii. Wouldn’t it be cool to find and document
that boat? Interior details consisted of box-spring
seat bases with Kapok filled cushions. Matching crash
pad with hideum lined the cockpits. The floor covering
of the period was black ribbed vinyl still available
from Classic
Boat Connection. One would assume that
the flooring would have been glued down originally,
but some owners have used Velcro to hold in place.
I’m sure it is much easier to clean out of the boat.
Speculation exists over the exact placement of the
crash pad seam. Most all agree that the seam is on
the sides near the step pad, but some wonder if it
should be in front of or behind the step pad. This
is a question I don’t think will ever be answered.
I’ll
bet that the upholstery worker that was doing it
originally did it the best way he saw fit. Whichever
way you choose to do it no points will de deducted
from the restoration. What is more important is the
quality of the installation. I would like to mention
a good source for leather hides is Steve Northuis
at Macatawa
Bay Boat Works in Michigan. Here is a picture
of the rear cockpit
showing
the back of the front seat. 
The acoustic panel behind
the rear cockpit seat was a new one on me until
I attended the Tahoe show in August 2001. The panel
is of the variety that can be purchased at many
of your hardware stores. Here is the scuttlebutt
from Tahoe. The panel should be painted with bilge
paint and can be one piece or three. See picture
below.
Stain Color
When I first
started researching my Barrelback restoration it
was brought to my attention that the stain color
for pre-war boats was not the same as post-war.
Probably the most common stain used for current restorations
is the Interlux #573 Chris-Craft matched stain.
This
color is commonly accepted as the correct original
replacement. Not so for the pre-war boats, most
everyone knows that the pre-war stain was lighter and
more
brown that the post-war. The big problem is that
no one can be certain of the correct color. Every
professional restorer has their own idea and “Special
Stain” that they use. Some will tell you and
others will not. Here are a few ideas that some
have shared. One restorer uses Pettit brown mahogany.
Another uses their own custom mix of Pettit and
Minwax.
You get the same answer with regards to the covering
board stain. One thing that can be said is that
you should not have points deducted for a certain shade
verses another unless you are just blatantly wrong.
Search out other boats and compare the differences
and choice the shade and method that you think
looks
the best while being authentic as possible. This
theory should be used for the upholstery interior
shade, instrument face shade, bilge paint, engine
color etc.
boot stripe
The
waterline stripe is another thing you might think is
straightforward but some disagree
on the subject. In my research I have found some
that say it should be 1" wide and some that
say 1 1/8". I really don’t know what is exactly
correct. Again this subject may not have an exact
answer. I will continue to look for documentation
on the issue.
Chris-Craft Model “M” 130
hp with single-piece manifold
For the 1939 model year there
were many engine choices to satisfy the potential buyers.
We will focus on the option that was most predominant—the
“M” 130
HP. Of the total 145 boats produced, 73 were Model 931’s
with the “M” power
plant. The “M” was the Hercules industrial
block, reworked by Chris-Craft and fitted with marine
accessories. Specs are as follows:
6-Cylinders
4 in.
bore, 4 ¾" stroke
320.4 Cu. In.
Weight, 850 lbs. Without water and
oil
The
most obvious difference that is associated with "Pre-war" was
the use of a one-piece intake and exhaust manifold.
There were
actually two different castings of this item. The
early version of the manifold is casting #1725. This
first casting can be easily identified by its flat,
port (outer) side and was used into the late 1930’s.
The second version was casting #1935. It can be recognized
by its 45-degree bulge on the port side, half way
down. Both of these manifolds worked fine, but I
understand that they were prone to
rusting and
“blowing out” as well as freeze damage. Chris-Craft
must have heard about the problems because they discontinued
the one-piece version in early 1941. It has not been
clear until now when they switched to the separate
intake and exhaust manifolds. Through research I
found that the last “M” serial number
to use the single-piece manifold was #11461. At that
point it
was a simple matter to go back through the hull cards
to find the last 19' Custom with a “M” that
had a serial number closest to #11461.
The
answer turned out to be hull #48832, a 1941 Model 107
with “M” serial
#11449, January 3rd 1940. A big thanks
to fellow CCABC member Jim McLeod for helping me
out.
Jim lives just a few miles from the Mariners Museum
and volunteered to drop by and find the closest hull
card.
While
we are on the subject lets discuss the exhaust elbows
used. This has become
quite a
problem for people that are going for an authentic
restoration. It seems that Chris-Craft used a special
elbow for the 19' Custom when it was first developed.
This elbow comes out and turns to port like all the ones
we know but it also twists 45 degrees so it points
to the chine. This elbow (#1775) was only used with
the #1725 and #1935 single piece manifolds and is
almost impossible to find. No one has ever reproduced
this item because of the limited market and it was
originally cast iron not bronze. Once they switched
to the two-piece manifold a standard turn to port
elbow was utilized. (#1740).
The
reverse gear case on the pre-war “M” is
different as well as the water pump. The pump had
an exposed shaft and had the words Chris-Craft on
the side. I am told that the “M” was the
further refinement of the “LC” series.
I don’t have any data on that engine as of yet, but
I can tell you that 32 boats (Model 930) were delivered
that year with the “LC”. The “M” continued
to be refined and was used until the late 50’s. We
will go into some of those derivatives in the later
19' Custom model years.
It is
worth mentioning that the “K” engine
was used on more boats than one would think. 1939
Model 929’s left the factory with the 95 HP little brute
and three boats were special ordered with a Chrysler
Crown 95 HP. Every boat with an “M” throughout
the years had the same prop—a 13" X 16" X
1" #7974. That’s a lot of pitch!
Most
in the hobby agree
that the engine color for pre-war is a different
shade than post-war. Here again many claim to have
the exact match. I believe that Dale Tassel in Florida
has the best color codes for pre- and post-war Chris-Craft blue. You can contact him for the PPG color
codes.
That
wraps it up for the basics of the 1939 19' Custom.
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