BY THE NUMBERS-THE CONTINENTAL ERA

 

By Craig Magnusson

 

1955 -1961

 

1955 was the biggest year ever for Chris-Craft in terms of new models.  The CAPRI and  the COBRA runabouts were new, a number of new cruisers were introduced, and an entirely new line of utilities were introduced ranging in size from 18' through 25'. 

 

This new line, all called CONTINENTALS, replaced the HOLIDAY name as Chris-Craft’s top-of-the-line utilities.  For a few years, the HOLIDAY name remained, applied to stripper CONTINENTALS which were positioned in price between the least expensive 17' and 20' SPORTSMANS and most expensive CONTINENTALS.

 

Although available in lengths up to 26', the CONTINENTALS were low, sleek, bullnosed beauties.  Chris-Craft would be without a large open “utility” in the line until 1959 when the 24' SPORTSMAN was introduced.

 

All CONTINENTALS and derivatives were phased out during 1961, to be replaced by an entirely new line of “sport boats” designed after Chris-Craft moved to Pompano Beach, Florida and sold out to NAFI.

 

18' CONTINENTAL / HOLIDAY

 

The all new 18' CONTINENTAL was introduced in 1955 and continued in production through 1958.  The CONTINENTAL was equipped with a steeply sloped chrome framed windshield a la the 1951 23' HOLIDAY, and used blond highlights on the deck.  The hull sides and transom were all dark mahogany, eliminating the blond detailing of the earlier HOLIDAYS.  The vee windshield was used through 1956 (280 built) and a new 2 piece curved windshield used for 1957 and 1958 (204 built).  See Spindrift--a '56 18' Continental...

 

The 18' bullnose HOLIDAY used the same hull, but without the fancy windshields, blond highlighting, or interior ceiling boards.  Ironically, a “HOLIDAY” could be equipped with options and extras to nearly match a CONTINENTAL, much like car lines overlap.  208 HOLIDAYS were built for 1955 - 1956, and 115 for 1957 - 1958.  The HOLIDAY name was dropped after 1958.

 

The bullnose 18's were powered by versions of Chris-Craft’s “K” engine, with production totaling 808 boats.

 

18' - 19' CONTINENTAL

 

Chris-Craft redesigned the 18' bullnose for 1959 with a new “clipper bow” stem and foredeck design.  The windshield remained the same as the 1958 model, and the hull from the windshield back was essentially identical to the earlier 18's.  The Chris-Craft 283 V-8, first introduced in late 1958 for 1959 model boats, was offered as an option and most of the clipper bow 18's were so equipped.  498 were built for 1959 - 1960.

 

For 1961, the hull was stretched 9" to make a 19' and a painted white panel detail was added to the rear hull sides and side decks.  The 283 V-8 became the standard engine, and another 180 were built before production ended.  Altogether, 678 clipper bow CONTINENTALS were built.

 

20' CONTINENTAL / HOLIDAY

 

The 20' bullnose CONTINENTAL was introduced in 1955 and produced through 1957, along with a matching HOLIDAY.  The 20' was styled like the 18' and 22', but based on the previous 20' HOLIDAY.  Both “K” and “M” based engines were available, and a V-8 for 1957. 

 

 

221 CONTINENTALS were built, and 143 HOLIDAYS, for a total 20' production of 364 boats.  The 20' bullnose was replaced by the 21' tail fin CONTINENTAL during 1957.

 

22' - 23' CONTINENTAL / HOLIDAY

 

The 1955 22' CONTINENTAL was an all new boat, similar in appearance to the 20' CONTINENTAL, and intended to replace both the 22' SPORTSMAN and CUSTOM SEDAN which were retired in 1954.  An attractive hard top was offered as an option, similar in design to the open sided hard tops offered by Gar Wood in the late 1940s.  The 22' was stretched to a 23' for 1956, and produced through 1958.  The big “W” was available as an option.

 

102 CONTINENTALS were built in 1955, and 26 HOLIDAYS.  As a 23', 97 CONTINENTALS were built during 1956 and 28 HOLIDAYS.  Finally, equipped with a new 2 piece curved windshield, 73 CONTINENTALS were built for 1957 - 1958.  Altogether, 326 22' - 23's were built including hard tops, most equipped with “M” series engines.

 

 

 

25' CONTINENTAL

 

Considered by many to be the queen of the post-war fleet, the all new 25' CONTINENTAL was produced only during 1955.  Available either as a single powered by Chris-Craft’s large 200 hp “W,” or with twin “KLs” (105 hp each), the 25' was big, fast and expensive.  The 25' replaced the 23' - 24' HOLIDAY, but used all new patterns — the HOLIDAY had not been available with either the “W” or twins.  A 25' HOLIDAY was advertised, but none were produced. 

 

30 were built for 1955 — not bad for the most expensive boat in the line — making the 25' CONTINENTAL the rarest of all post-war Chris-Crafts.  The ACBS records show 3 survivors, all with single engines.

 

26' CONTINENTAL

 

The 25' was stretched to just over 26' for 1956, and offered with twin “M” series engines as an option.  The steeply raked, vee windshield from the 1955 continued through 1956, replaced by the 2 piece curved windshield during 1957.  In 1959, the last year of production, the blond highlights on the deck were redesigned and twin 283 V-8s were offered with an advertised top speed of 40 mph.  Although not quite as graceful or well-proportioned as the 25' CONTINENTAL, the 26' earned the distinction as the largest, most-expensive utility built by Chris-Craft.  80 were built from 1956 through 1959.

 

 

 

 

 

 

21' CONTINENTAL

 

Chris-Craft introduced an all new 21' highly styled CONTINENTAL during 1957 as a 1958 model, replacing the conventional appearing 20' CONTINENTAL.  With white tail fins and upper hull sides, optional sliding hard top, and a star emblazoned bullnose, the new 21' was a direct response to Century’s high style Coronado which had been introduced in 1955.

 

Introduced just before Chris-Craft’s Silver Arrow, the 21' CONTINENTAL demonstrated automotive styling concepts and details which would eventually spread to the entire Chris-Craft sport boat line during the 1960s.  190 of the original 21' tail fin CONTINENTALS were built from mid-1957 through 1959, powered first by “M”s, and then by various V-8s including the large Chris-Craft Lincoln 430.

 

For 1960 the tail fins and foredeck were redesigned, with smaller concave fins and a raised center panel on the foredeck.  A clipper bow replaced the bullnose.  Otherwise, the hull was the same and only V-8s were offered.  Unlike the original design, no large rear deck Capri was offered.  96 were built for the 1960/1961 model years.

 

Altogether, 286 21' “tail fin” CONTINENTALS were produced, along with 44 1958/1959 Capris.

 

By 1961, only the 19' and 21' CONTINENTALS were available.  An all new line of sport boats would be introduced for 1962.

 

To follow: sport boats and specials 1955 - 1961.

 

Craig Magnusson