Arkansas Traveler 1959
Recruit
- Joined
- Jul 16, 2014
- Messages
- 1
Ok this is going to sound like total $ fairy tale, but here it is.
In 1959 my buddy's grandfather had a motor and boat dealership here in Harrison AR. A customer purchased in 1959 an Arkansas Traveler Fiberglass boat (Runabout) Turquoise over cream, Evinrude Lark outboard on a yellow Gator trailer from them and it remained a single owner boat until both his and his wife's death in 1989. It passed to the daughter who kept it in the garage and never used it who sold it today to my buddy, the grandson of the original seller.
We have the documentation to prove the provenance of this craft in hand. Uniquely, the seller's sticker is still partially legible saying the name of the dealer on both sides of the outboard motor cowling, (My buddy's family).
This boat has been kept extremely well, (Daughter said her father kept it inside in basement when not in use and it shows!) with maintenance done regularly. The last time she floated was 1988 (+/-). EVERYTHING is original, no alterations.
This evening we brought it over to my place to begin clean up and restoration (I am familiar with artifact restoration as I operate a USMC museum the Marine Corps Legacy Museum).
As I am familiar with the issues of provenance and restoration, my buddy and I are looking at a careful restoration to stock. But, this is a whole new area for he and I and we request some real world advise.
We pulled one of the chromed cleats off the starboard gunnel (I am a Career Marine and familiar with things nautical) and noted that although the TOP cockpit is a very attractive almost emerald green, that the material below the cleat was a bright Turquoise. (Kinda like the stock paint on my '65 Chevy II Nova back in high school.) it is evident that the color of the top part of the craft is integral to the fiberglass as opposed to a "paint" or treatment and has just faded over the years. (The hull is an off cream white. and the trailer a "Coke Truck" yellow!) Original seats, painted Evinrude gas can etc are all there.
Other than some cleanup and work on the outboard she is about as clean and "stock" as it gets in a 55 year old recreational boat I would say..
We were able to purchase replacement tires for the trailer and dragged it to my home and I am ready to begin basic cleaning prior any restoration work.
This is a unique piece of local history with a bombproof "Back Story". So, to the meat of the message:
a) if this item is collectors condition "High Excellent" does anybody have an idea of insurance value?
b) are there maintenance manuals or information on this item as new available?....a web search this evening has NOT been productive.
OK: Suggestions and recommendations are respectfully requested!- PROFESSIONAL or EXPERIENCED assistance obviously please!
Cleaning compounds and techniques as far as conservation of this item and restoration?
I have some photos but do not know how to post here...Assistance?
Thanks!
Red
In 1959 my buddy's grandfather had a motor and boat dealership here in Harrison AR. A customer purchased in 1959 an Arkansas Traveler Fiberglass boat (Runabout) Turquoise over cream, Evinrude Lark outboard on a yellow Gator trailer from them and it remained a single owner boat until both his and his wife's death in 1989. It passed to the daughter who kept it in the garage and never used it who sold it today to my buddy, the grandson of the original seller.
We have the documentation to prove the provenance of this craft in hand. Uniquely, the seller's sticker is still partially legible saying the name of the dealer on both sides of the outboard motor cowling, (My buddy's family).
This boat has been kept extremely well, (Daughter said her father kept it inside in basement when not in use and it shows!) with maintenance done regularly. The last time she floated was 1988 (+/-). EVERYTHING is original, no alterations.
This evening we brought it over to my place to begin clean up and restoration (I am familiar with artifact restoration as I operate a USMC museum the Marine Corps Legacy Museum).
As I am familiar with the issues of provenance and restoration, my buddy and I are looking at a careful restoration to stock. But, this is a whole new area for he and I and we request some real world advise.
We pulled one of the chromed cleats off the starboard gunnel (I am a Career Marine and familiar with things nautical) and noted that although the TOP cockpit is a very attractive almost emerald green, that the material below the cleat was a bright Turquoise. (Kinda like the stock paint on my '65 Chevy II Nova back in high school.) it is evident that the color of the top part of the craft is integral to the fiberglass as opposed to a "paint" or treatment and has just faded over the years. (The hull is an off cream white. and the trailer a "Coke Truck" yellow!) Original seats, painted Evinrude gas can etc are all there.
Other than some cleanup and work on the outboard she is about as clean and "stock" as it gets in a 55 year old recreational boat I would say..
We were able to purchase replacement tires for the trailer and dragged it to my home and I am ready to begin basic cleaning prior any restoration work.
This is a unique piece of local history with a bombproof "Back Story". So, to the meat of the message:
a) if this item is collectors condition "High Excellent" does anybody have an idea of insurance value?
b) are there maintenance manuals or information on this item as new available?....a web search this evening has NOT been productive.
OK: Suggestions and recommendations are respectfully requested!- PROFESSIONAL or EXPERIENCED assistance obviously please!
Cleaning compounds and techniques as far as conservation of this item and restoration?
I have some photos but do not know how to post here...Assistance?
Thanks!
Red
