Is this a good buy 1972 chris craft lancer

lancer6767

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Mar 23, 2014
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Hello everybody I am new to this forum, looks great so far. I have had boats my entire life, bass boats, bayliners and kayaks. I am looking to add a Chris craft Lancer to the fleet. I wanted your guys opinion on this boat. He wants $500 for the boat and trailer, It is a 1972 Chris Craft Lancer. it has solid floors and no soft spots. My concern is the motor, it looks nice but he never heard it run he bought it as a project,but never got around to starting it. Are these motors solid? Do they have problems from sitting? Here are pics.IMG_0633[1].jpgIMG_0631[1].jpgIMG_0629[1].jpgIMG_0627[1].jpg
 

1stgenbird

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Aug 5, 2009
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Re: Is this a good buy 1972 chris craft lancer

For $500 it's a steal.
 

lancer6767

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Re: Is this a good buy 1972 chris craft lancer

Even with having no idea what shape the motors in? It looks clean from what I can see, but he doesn't have battery's or a anything else needed to start it.
 

MikDee

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Re: Is this a good buy 1972 chris craft lancer

It's an old boat, it's in good shape for it's age,,, So am I :D But, you don't know if you can replacement parts for it? The engine looks like a marine small block chevy, but if it's seized, or needs to be redone, it's just a fancy 500lb anchor. If you got the time, silly money, and ambition, for $500 it's a bargain.
 

lancer6767

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Re: Is this a good buy 1972 chris craft lancer

Ya it's not the cosmetics that worry me it's the motor. The lifters look brand new from taking the little covers off but that doesn't say much. I'm gonna talk to him see if I could hear it crank if I bought a battery over.
 

greenbush future

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Aug 28, 2009
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Re: Is this a good buy 1972 chris craft lancer

Compression check, drop the oil in the pan and inspect, for $500 you can always part it out , trailer , other used stuff too.
 

Ned L

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Sep 17, 2008
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Re: Is this a good buy 1972 chris craft lancer

Fresh water cooled small block Chevy. ----- I'll put my money on it being a good running engine that will need less than $25 to get running nicely. Even if the engine is shot you can drop a brand new GM 350 crate engine in for less than $2000 (swap over all the marine parts) . That is a good boat that if taken care of will hold its value (and there is a definate market for them).
 

Scott Danforth

Grumpy Vintage Moderator still playing with boats
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Re: Is this a good buy 1972 chris craft lancer

The motor is an SBC painted crusaders blue, so I suspect a Crusaders. I would change oil, pull the plugs, do a compression test. then if that looks good, rebuild the carb, replace the fuel pump, install new plugs, points, condensor, cap and wires. Then change the fluid on the trans and splash it if everything else on the hull looks good.
 

lancer6767

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Re: Is this a good buy 1972 chris craft lancer

What would it be worth after it is fixed up and looks nice?
 

Scott Danforth

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Re: Is this a good buy 1972 chris craft lancer

only what the buyer would be willing to pay. a quick google search shows one in completely restored condition as $7900 However you will probably spend that much to get your boat in the same condition.

most people do not rebuild to flip, we rebuild because we like the boat.
 

zool

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Aug 19, 2012
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3,432
Re: Is this a good buy 1972 chris craft lancer

Apparently, some ask a premium for a restored Lancer

Theres currently a restored 74 for $69,000 and a clean one for $13,000+


1974


Search CC lancer on Yacht world and see some nice pics to help with your build...the links wont post here for some reason..
 
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