Barn Finds Still Come True
The dream of finding a dream
A huge thanks to Gary Michael from Inland Boat Works, who just sent us all a little hope in the form of a barn find. Dang, it always fills my heart with a childlike giddiness when I see a boat like this. Thanks Gary for the report.
Oh ya!
“I was called in early July to look at a CC in an oversized one stall garage on the lake in Wolfeboro not launched in over 40 years. Purchased from George Johnson, no surprise if you were in the Antique boat business in the late 80’s here in the northeast you were aware 90% of the boats passed through George, Boyd or Wayne at some point, all good friends and great contacts for inventory. I recommended the Museum auction in July but there was no interest in that process so I made an offer and was not contacted until November 5 we had a deal. Big Tony and I picked her up Saturday November 15th wearing only a N.H. plate and I believe the last N.H. plate issued was 1988 after that all boats wore bow numbers and the last registration I was given for the boat was 1978. The find is a 1950 18′ CC Riviera powered by her original CC KBL tri carb at 131 hp and still turns over, hull # 272 is early in the production run, no trailer but a stout cradle.”
Tucked away – and yes I noticed the lift ring!
SWEET
The nicest lines in the fleet
Someone loved this boat
Out and about
Unlading into the shop
Dang
You can see more dreams at Inland Boatworks website HERE
Amazing! I think that monster cradle weighs as much as the boat. She was clearly cared for, so it is surprising that there was no cover during all the years of storage. Thank you Gary and Matt for sharing this great find!
Great news finding one of my favorite boat designs! There’s hope yet that I can get another barn find. I just wish it could be in that condition! It looks like only needs a good battery and fresh gas!
Steve, I have a 1950 Rivieria that I might consider letting go… 20′ which are pretty rare.. Not sure I have the time or energy to finish
franknstein1492(at) gmail Im in Northern Virginia
Nice find Gary!
I think you have taken over Georges position in the area. Most of the boats around the lakes region have been touched by Gary in one way or another.
Thank you Troy but Georges shoes can never be filled. We all lost a good friend.
I don’t see any raccoon, mouse droppings, or rats nests, chewed up upholstery or wiring. Are you sure this is not AI or some sort of contrived story? Great find Gary. Sure miss those 3 guys you mentioned. I remember going to George’s back yard (and Boyd’s and Wayne’s at some point) looking for an 18′ Riviera because I already had one I bought as my first boat and what a mistake. Should have known it was going to be a problem with 3 bilge pumps and one run off an 8D size battery used in a Caterpillar bulldozer with >1000 amps. I was looking at one of George’s in his “backyard” when I got the best advice from a guy wandering thru there as well, “Ask him where the good stuff is.” I felt like I was buying cocaine. Those back yard boats were the “nose candy”. We took a ride out into the country with George who showed me his “stash” he and Wayne had in a barn. I end up buying an 18′ Riv that was off Lake Hopatcong and had a blown engine (already removed). I had good hardware and motor off my beater so a deal was made. The wad of cash George carried around would have made him a target for a drug bust for sure as “dealer”, lol. And therein started my addiction. This was with my girlfriend in tow who I borrowed $75 from to make the deal. She should have learned from that before agreeing to marriage.
Floyd you are right we always said if you couldn’t reach something just stand on George’s wallet.
Now thats funny!
So is it a barn find when it’s in long term storage in your own barn and you know about it and know what it is?
I have wondered the same thing.
I guess it is a find for those of us who did not know it was there.
So, what now? Restoration or preservation?