22' & 22' 6" Streamliner
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[edit] The Gar Wood Streamliner was intended to revolutionize the runabout industry
The non-traditional runabout design, featuring three cockpits, one in front of the other, had been rarely seen previously by other boat manufactures. The third (aft) cockpit featured an enlarged horse-shoe design and the boat initially had a seating capacity of eleven, which was unheard of for a 22' three-cockpit runabout. Built over a five year time period, beginning in 1938, and running through the beginning of WW-II production in 1942, the total production of the Streamliner totaled only 23 boats.
Introduced in 1938, the prototype Streamliner, #6205, feature canvas covered decks and a vertical fin running down the foredeck, terminating at the windshield. This boat was a standard 22' Custom Runabout (1936-1940) hull, re-decked with the Streamliner configuration and the new Chrysler V-drive Crown, producing 100hp was installed aft. Four production Model 915s were delivered in 1938 (totaling five with the prototype), these boats had a fresh hull-design with added tumblehome (the first three production boats had a fully barreled transom, similar to the Chris-Craft Barrelback) and additional beam. These four had traditional varnished decks like the rest of the Gar Wood fleet for 1938.
In 1939 eight Model 923s were delivered. Three of these boats were actually built for 1938 and had their model numbers updated to reflect a new 1939 model. The 1939 models were identical to the production 1938 models. In 1940 five Model 123s were delivered. One of these boats was actually built for 1938 and held over (probably due to lack of sales) and was sold as a new 1940 model on June 28th of 1940. The 1940 models were again identical to the 1938 and 1939 production, except for the last two, which introduced the walk-thru front seat, which would continue into 1941 production.
For 1941, three Model 23 Streamliners were produced along with the one and only Model 24 Landau Streamliner, which featured a sleek cabin top. The 1941 models were bigger, with an added 6" in length and 6" in beam. The added length came in the form of a raked aft barrel-transom which smoothly rolled into the aft deck.
In 1942, one final Streamliner was produced. This last boat was actually built in June of 1941 and held over and sold on August 17, 1945. It was entered into the Gar Wood sales ledger as a 1942 Model 215. All 23 of the Streamliners were delivered with the Chrysler Crown six-cylinder V-drive engine, ranging from 100-117hp. The initial sales price in 1938 was $2795 and by 1942 the sales price was up to $3600 for the regular Streamliner and $3900 for the Landau version. As of January 2009, only 7 of the original 23 have been accounted for existing.
