Retro Crestliner Discussion Forum

DeathWish · Joined: 23 Aug 2010 Posts: 25 Location: New York

That was one of my earlier questions. Did they start from the number one and keep going from year to year or did they restart the numbers from 1 at the beginning of each year. I too figured it was at least a 1956 because of the transom corners and the bow handle. The only thing the green paint rules out is a 1959. If the Commander came out in 1954 and they began numbering consecutively from there It would mean there were only 154 others between number one and mine. We know that is not correct. So the only choices left would be each year starting over at number one or as you say some kind of odd ball numbering before they crossed over. I too have begun to wonder if I will ever know.
Thanks,
Ed
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Picking up where I left off at sixteen.
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Day_Cruiser · Joined: 02 Feb 2004 Posts: 198 Location: Alexandria, VA

When researching 1950's Crestliner numbers, please understand that there are no proven facts, and only guesses and conjecture.

I spoke with Crestliner's PR people about 12 years ago, and any records of production simply do not exist prior to about 1972. Period.

And, I have read many conjectures here about someone figuring out some scheme to identify production years by serial numbers, only to see others post exceptions to that logic.

You have a small antique boat. It is not a 1930's Bugatti automobile whose proven pedigree can mean many millions in sale value. Just enjoy your boat. You can bet that those Bugattis are not being driven and enjoyed, so you have an advantage over them.
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1958/9 14' Crestliner Jetstreak

OutBdNut · Joined: 27 Mar 2005 Posts: 593 Location: Minnesota

My 1957 Commander 12 has the model serial number in the new format of XXX-YYYY, where XXX is the model number and YYYY is a 4 digit number. There are no letters in this format. There would have been a sticker but that's usually long gone. Mine has the numbers stamped in the starboard side near the front - somewheres above the splashrail.

Here's my sticker:

Dave
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57 Commander 12 Custom Deluxe 550
58 Commodore 14 Speedster (modified)
58 Cadillac Riviera 14 split deck
Dozens of old outboards

DeathWish · Joined: 23 Aug 2010 Posts: 25 Location: New York

I have no intentions of this being a no go show boat but. I plan on having a good time with it but I also would like to bring it to some AOMCI shows with a motor that matches the year of the boat.

Any sticker it may have had is long gone. I see where the 550 matches up with the model number for the deluxe Commander. Even if it did It most likely would have had the same number that is stamped into the side and transom. I have done some fishing around the net for old newspaper ads. there might be some out there with model numbers listed.

If I can find a contact with the state I might be able to get a printout of all the registered hull numbers for 56 -58 Crestliners. Half the problem there will probably be finding someone that knows how to use their software to sort the information on record. As long as I am not asking for names and addresses of owners that should fall under public information.

There is bound to be a way to crack this nut, probably just a question of finding the right sized hammer.
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Picking up where I left off at sixteen.
No Wife
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OutBdNut · Joined: 27 Mar 2005 Posts: 593 Location: Minnesota

FYI: Here is a photo showing the location of the numbers stamped into my Commander12 550 - note the numbers are stamped under the starboard gunnel, just forward of the windshield.
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Now I'm assuming this is a 1957 boat because the 550 Commander 12 only shows in catalogs as being offered in 1957 - could they have started production in 1956?....or used up parts making a few in 1958??...don't know, Maybe? but for lack of more info, it appears that they were only made in 1957.
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Dave

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57 Commander 12 Custom Deluxe 550
58 Commodore 14 Speedster (modified)
58 Cadillac Riviera 14 split deck
Dozens of old outboards

Day_Cruiser · Joined: 02 Feb 2004 Posts: 198 Location: Alexandria, VA

I wouldn't rely too heavily on state registration statistics. The only information on my Jetstreak, which I found in a field, had it registered in Maryland as a 1960 boat.

But, Jetstreaks were only made for the 1958 amd 1959 model years.

Another Jetstreak owner insisted to me that his boat was made in 1973 because he had a trail of state registrations saying that.

So, be careful about previous registrations, as previous owners may not have been careful about how they described their boats.
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1958/9 14' Crestliner Jetstreak

OutBdNut · Joined: 27 Mar 2005 Posts: 593 Location: Minnesota

Yeah the registration year for boats that old doesn't mean much - I once had a boat that was registered as a 1975 but there were things about it that made it no newer than a 1971. I called the state (Minnesota) and asked about that and the response was "What year do you want it to be?" and they then changed it to the year I picked.
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Dave
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57 Commander 12 Custom Deluxe 550
58 Commodore 14 Speedster (modified)
58 Cadillac Riviera 14 split deck
Dozens of old outboards

DeathWish · Joined: 23 Aug 2010 Posts: 25 Location: New York

Yes I remember back when I was registering wooden boats, all you did was walk in pay the money tell them what you had and they typed it on the regisrtration. In the early 90's you could still get away with a home made registration if you boat a boat or trailer without one. Now they are very pricky. If there is a number on record connected with it you have to back track and get a previous owner to apply for a duplicate and then sign it over to you. Otherwise they wind up on Craigs list with all those other ones that say "all you have to do is register it as homemade".

The Minnesota Historical Society has a collection of old manuals etc that were donated by two former dealers. If those to fellas are still on this side of the lawn they may have some valuable information. I have one 1958 news paper ad for the Jet Streak which I'll post later.
Ed
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Picking up where I left off at sixteen.
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DeathWish · Joined: 23 Aug 2010 Posts: 25 Location: New York

Another thought A 155 H

Everyone pretty much agrees that "A" designates Commander.

155 may or may not be the production number and "H" could be the code for the plant where it was made or the year it was made. The more hull numbers you could compare the better idea you can get.

If you haven't figured it out by now, I can really get into puzzles.
_________________
Picking up where I left off at sixteen.
No Wife
No Job
NO Worries