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cobra bottom color

Posted: Wed Oct 07, 2009 8:17 am
by bmac
from what i can determine the orig color of a cobra bottom was black is this correct? was this a flat, semi gloss or gloss thanks bmac

Posted: Wed Oct 07, 2009 9:13 am
by maritimeclassics
The bottom color was black and bronze. The bronze was on the sides and up the stem to the waterline and the black was covering about 2/3 of the bottom in a V shape pointing to the bow, I do not know the exact measurements but could possible find out. There is a certain way to do this to be factory correct if that is your goal, I do not think it is just black paint. Is your boat an 18’ or a 21’? And are you in the bare wood state or just repainting? Also what’s the hull number?

Posted: Wed Oct 07, 2009 9:37 am
by Al Benton
Mike,

The Essential Guide lists "Gold" for the bottom color. Was this different than the typical "copper-bronze" that other runabouts received? Was this done to more closely match the bottom color to the hatch/fin color?

Al

Posted: Wed Oct 07, 2009 11:20 am
by maritimeclassics
I believe you are correct Al, now that I think about it the boat that I saw recently at the International show was gold on the bottom. Terry Feist did a excellent job on Hemi Under Glass!
Image

Posted: Thu Oct 08, 2009 8:47 am
by tph
My chris craft Essential guide says bottom color
copper bronze on the 18 and the 21.
tom
vintage marine

Posted: Thu Oct 08, 2009 8:52 am
by drrot
My failing memory says the running surface while on plane was black. What you would see above the water was gold.
Terry, time to chime in??

Posted: Thu Oct 08, 2009 11:19 am
by Al Benton
Tom, (tph)

I'm curious why your Essential Guide would list "copper-bronze" for the Cobras. Is it a different edition?, second printing? My copy clearly states "Bottom color: Gold" for both lengths.

Al

Posted: Thu Oct 08, 2009 4:05 pm
by rdapron
My failing memory says the running surface while on plane was black. What you would see above the water was gold.
Yep, but not just plain black paint, but graphite impregnated paint that was black in color.
rob

Posted: Fri Oct 09, 2009 8:26 am
by tph
Al,
I was on the waiting list for the Guide before it was
published so i would think that is a first edition.
Also signed by Jerry Conrod 2002. Here's a shot of
Cobra in my shop.
tom
vintage marine


Image

Re: cobra bottom color

Posted: Sun Jul 23, 2017 1:20 pm
by J. Corbin
On the subject of Cobra bottom colors. The bottom was finished in graphite on the running area, The rest of the bottom was finished in a gold similar to the tail below the boot line. (NOT BRONZ!) The V-8 boats had a 5/8ths wide boot line and the 6 cylinder boats had a 3/4" wide boot line. I do not know the reason for this. I have yet to find out. J.P.Corbin I have owned a Cadillac powered Cobra for over 20. years. Hull #BR-BR21044.

Re: cobra bottom color

Posted: Thu Jul 27, 2017 8:43 am
by Greg Wallace
My early "autographed" version of the "Guide" also calls out Copper Bronze as the bottom color. I agree that graphite and gold are correct, however, based on the originals I have seen. Hard Racing Gold was available off the shelf by multiple suppliers as I recall and was used on more applications than just Cobra. I can't, however, recall what they were.

The "guide" is an incredible resource but it does have numerous errors, so my advice has always been to "trust but verify" when it comes to making any significant decisions based on info presented therein.

Re: cobra bottom color

Posted: Fri Jul 28, 2017 9:17 am
by maritimeclassics
This is definitely an old post, we have learned a lot about Cobras since then thanks mostly to Terry Fiest. The bottom is gold paint very close to the color of the tail as stated above. J. P. Corbin I have a guy looking for a Cobra with the Cadillac motor if you interested in selling yours. Or if anyone knows where a correct Cadillac motor is for sale I would be interested in it.

Re: cobra bottom color

Posted: Sun Aug 06, 2017 10:59 am
by J. Corbin
With regard to the Chris Craft Cobra engine. I have seen very few Cobra Caddy engines that are correct and authentic! One of the easiest ways is to look at the transmission. A lot of them now have alloy trans cases withy only a four bolt cover! The Cobra had a Cast Iron trans with a six bolt cover and a bulge for the bigger clutches!. J.P.Corbin 21 foot Caddy Cobra # BR-21044. My boat still has the original hull tag on the back of the seat and is clearly stamped in the keel! behind the shaft. The BR was scratched in and the numbers were stamped! Also, the Caddy boats came with two temperature gauges one for each cylinder bank. These were NOT electric! They were the old bulb type gauges, I had my gauges re-built correctly! The boat did NOT have a gas gauge! It came with a calibrated stick to measure the gas in the tank! Hi Teck! Right? I' have the original delivery tickets for my boat from when it was delivered to Tahoe. They list the gas stick! Originally there were only 18 Caddy Cobras built by the factory. Mine came with two 6 volt Willard batteries. Linked to deliver 12 volts. My The original owner of my boat Mr. Charles Mapes. He owned a Casino and hotel in Reno. And that is all I have to say for now. Jim Corbin

Re: cobra bottom color

Posted: Mon Aug 07, 2017 8:58 am
by J. Corbin
One last Item. The Cobra transmission was a 4XE3. Just wanted to get that in. J.Corbin

Re: cobra bottom color

Posted: Wed Aug 09, 2017 11:43 am
by J. Corbin
I thought you guys might like to see a real live Chris Craft Cobra 4X-E3 transmission

Re: cobra bottom color

Posted: Thu Aug 10, 2017 7:14 am
by maritimeclassics
IMG_20140820_115941_985.jpg
IMG_6445.JPG
Here is a 18' Cobra we did for a customer, very correct and very original boat. Not really a cool transmission but a cool engine. I just love Cobra's !!!

Re: cobra bottom color

Posted: Fri Aug 11, 2017 8:34 am
by tph
what is everyone using for the gold bottom color? Have an 18 in the shop, just finished new bottom.
tph

Re: cobra bottom color

Posted: Fri Sep 01, 2017 9:24 am
by J. Corbin
Ok Guys, I am sorry that I gave anyone the impression that all I had was a Cobra 4XE3 transmission. I do have a beautiful 21foot Cadillac powered Cobra. Hull # BR-21044. It has the original hull tag on the back of the seat and the number is clearly stamped in the keel aft of the shaft. The BR WAS SCRATCHED IN AT THE FACTORY AND THE NUMBER WAS STAMPED! This is a number matching Cobra. I have the original delivery papers. It was certified by the Society Of Cobra Boat Owners in 1995.