Many of the boats of the 1920's and 1930's were purchased by famous, or at least successful, people. Chris-Craft even touted their owners in the ads of the day. Chris-Craft boats were carried as tenders on many of the best yachts of the day, including those owned by Alfred Sloan, Frederick Fisher, Vincent Astor, Frank V. DuPont, William Randolph Hearst, Edsel Ford, and K. Lee Guinness.
In 1928, Colgate and Palmolive-Peet Corporations merged, and Charles S. Pearce was named President. In 1933, he was elevated to the title of Chairman of the Board. He also served as the President of International Cellucotton Company. A 1900 Graduate of the University of Wisconsin, he was an active alumnus, and served as a trustee of the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF), along with the President of the Pullman Corporation, and former Wisconsin Governor Walter J. Kohler. WARF provided funding to commercialize ideas developed through the University, including Warfarin, the most commonly prescribed oral anticoagulant drug in North America. Mr. Pearce officed on the 37th floor of the Palmolive Building in Chicago, one of the most prominent buildings in Chicago. Today, his former office is part of the triplex owned by Vince Vaughn.
Charles Pearce also enjoyed recreational time in northern Wisconsin, on Red Cedar Lake, near Birchwood, WI. On May 26, 1930, Chris-Craft Corporation shipped a Model 111 Runabout to Mr. Pearce, through the Wilson and Richardson Dealership in Chicago.
Hull number 10072, the 72nd 1930 26' runabout built, was equipped with a Chris-Craft A-120 V-8 engine of 824 cubic inches, and 250 horsepower, driving a 19" X 24" propeller . Green leather upholstery was specified, as well as a Loraine spotlight, and she carried the name "Muse" right from the factory.
Mr. Pearce enjoyed the boat for several years, but ended her "useful" life as a "yard boat" in southern Illinois. She was discovered there, moved to Minnesota, and passed through several owners. She was discovered by her current owner in 2004, and placed in the capable hands of Nelson Boatworks in Minnetrista, MN, where she underwent an extensive examination of restoration work which had already been completed (new bottom), and the addition of new decks and transom. The original hull sides were in remarkable condition, and were kept original. She was finished, prepped and detailed with an eye towards the show circuit. The original green leather upholstery was re-created by Rod Souza in California, the instruments were restored by Mark Clawson.
She sports a jaunty Dietrich convertible "roadster" top.
While her original A-120 engine was lost to history, she has been fitted with the A-120 engine originally installed in 1930 Chris-Craft hull number 10057. The engine was restored by Long Island Boat Shop in New York, an engine builder noted for the restoration of rare marine engines. The A-120 was later tuned by Jim Aamodt, a noted vintage marine engine expert in Minnesota. This A-120 carries the original, and desirable, twin carburetor fitment.
Included in the sale is a custom-built tandem axle trailer, and two full mooring covers.
She has been awarded "Best of Show" at Keels and Wheels, Seabrook, Texas; Where It All Began in Algonac, MI (held at the original Chris-Craft factory); The Les Cheneaux Antique Wooden Boat Show, Hessel, MI; and the BSLOL Rendezvous on Lake Minnetonka, MN.
Priced at $225,000.00
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