Wooden Boat Concours, Classic Pedal Cars (105)From their origins in the late 1910s to the 1970s Riva Aquarama, wooden boats have held an air of glamour and a touch of mystique. Big and powerful, these "gentleman’s runabouts" evolved from boats such as the 20s-style, 21-foot, 20 horsepower Kermath ($1,975) to the 1955 Chris-Craft Cobra with its 285 horsepower engine. In the mid-50s, fiberglass became the material of choice for runabouts, but today it is still possible to appreciate the beauty and the history of the wooden craft. Each year, the Tahoe Yacht Club hosts the Annual Concours D’Elegance at the Sierra Boat Company at Carnelian Bay, Calif. This two-day show draws in over 125 of the finest wooden boats from all around the world, and "Wooden Boat Week" follows.
Little folks first took the wheel in pedal cars in the 1890s, and more than a century later the pint-size cars have held their popularity – with the big folks. Not long ago, the National Automobile Museum in Reno, Nevada featured an entire exhibit on the history of pedal cars. Some of the most famous include Sadface station wagon and the Oscar Mayer Weinermobile. In more recent history, NASCAR has licensed pedal cars of their popular drivers like Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart and Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Adult collectors restore vintage pedal cars, and they’ve become so popular that even brand new custom pedal cars can cost more than $4,000.
Wooden Boat Concours Facts:
- In 2003, the Concours d’Elegance will be held August 9-10 at the Sierra Boat Company, Carnelain Bay, North Lake Tahoe.
- Only 161 Chris-Craft Cobras were built.
- The current cost of a Riva runs from $350,000 to over $1.3 million.
- The cost of an unrestored classic boat can be as low as $4000.
- Currently a 1940 Chris-Craft Racing 16’ Roundabout sells for $45,000.
- A 2001 replica of a 1936 Chris Craft 25’ has a base price of $76,500.
Resources:
The Book of Wooden Boats, Vol. II
by Bray Maynard
Wood, Water, and Light: Classic Wooden Boats
by Benjamin Medleowitz
Sierra Boat Company
www.sierraboat.com
Contains information about other events held with the company in addition to further information about wooden boats.
Vintage Marine
www.vintagemarine.com
Vintage Marine specializes in a full line of service for the classic boat enthusiasts.
SG&K's Classic Wooden Boats
www.angelifire.com
Information and links for classic wooden boat enthusiasts.
The Tahoe Yacht Club
P.O. Box 7620
Tahoe City, CA 96145-7620
530-581-4700
info@tahoeyc.com
www.tahoeyc.com
Pedal Cars Facts:
- Toy cars were in existence even before Henry Ford perfected the moving production line.
- Replica vintage pedal cars range in price from $400 to $1,000.
- Custom pedal cars can cost $4,000.
- Pedal car replicas of classics such as the Bentley and Bugatti cost approximately $8,900.
Contact Information:
Miracle Pedal Car
1460 Canal Avenue, Long Beach, CA 90813
562-437-7420
Resources:
Pedal Cars
by Larry Bloemaker, et al
Pedal Car Restoration & Price Guide
by Andrew Gurka
Blue Diamond Classics
www.bluediamindclassics.com
Information on various "toy related" pedal cars.
Popular Mechanics
www.popularmechanics.com
The history of pedal cars.
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