Re: Is this the oldest Mirrocraft?
I would like to join this discussion and will post restoration pictures ASAP.
Last spring (2009) I purchased a 1959 14' Sea King aluminum runabout (forward deck, not the more common open skiff). The gentleman I bought it from was in his late 80's and bought it about 10 years ago following it being stored by his friend in a shed for approx. 30+ years. He informed me that Sea King was the line of boats sold by Montgomery Ward and I started my research from there. Not a ton of Internet info out there but a few sources point to Mirrocraft as one of the manufacturers of aluminum boats for Wards.
The boat was a real find, in pristine condition other than a thick coat of brushed on blue paint. I bought it w/o a motor and since I intended to use it, had it repowered. Of course it had cable steering and an old Evinrude throttle/gearshift which were removed to allow for Teleflex steering with a new 20HP Merc 4 stroke. Now realizing the potential rarity of this boat, I kick myself for not saving the original steering hardware, especially the bezel on the wooden dashboard (had to install a new wheel to accomodate Teleflex).
So far, I haven't found anything like it, i.e., runabout rather than skiff. I was finally able to locate a 1965 Mirrocraft 14' open skiff and observed all hull hardwear to be absolutely identical to the Sea King.
Not the oldest Mirrocraft, but it is sure starting to look like a member of the family.
I'll get some pictures up, hope someone out there is still interested in this subject.