1959 Gyded Missel Runabout Project _Compare to vintage Chris Craft (but faster)

The Gyded Missel

This super rare boat was recently pulled from the garage it sat in, unmolested and unused since 1976. The boat was one of three made of this model by the Portland Boat Company in Portland Oregon.

It was made for speed with an Oldsmobile J2 engine with a hydraulic transmission, both still in the boat. For those that know, this is indeed the Oldsmobile J-2 Tri-Power engine with various vintage speed parts. Note: last owner found that it took less tuning to use a single carb, so that is what is on it.If you want to go back to the Tri-Power, parts are generally available on ebay.

The fact that the boat was stored inside kept the wood in great shape. There is NO dry rot found on the boat. We took the interior out (easy to do) to confirm this

The motor turns over easily by hand. It turned smoothly.

There are new tires on the factory original trailer (trailer has some surface rust, but minimal, and no structural issues showing. Trailer bearings were greased prior to pulling the boat.

"Gyded Missel” is the model of this boat (Pronounced "Guided Missile"). You’ll note from reading the included magazine articles that the US government took umbrage with the correct spelling (assuming someone might misinterpret a boat for a bomb?) The sand cast emblem is included.

Chris Craft ”Style” is used in the headline. We feel that this identifies the style of boat people will recognize. This is not a Chris Craft product.

The nice boat with white sides is the sister to this boat and is not included or being sold. That owner was working in the Portland Boat factory when these were built and has provided some of the information included here. His boat has recently gone through a second recommissioning.The photo of the shiny J2 motor is just for reference. Neither it. nor the car transmission attached to it, are included

The picture of the boat in the driveway was right after it came out of the garage and is how it looks now. It has been stored in our southern California warehouse since. This boat was reported to be one of the first to integrate fiberglass into a boat. The outer side shells appear to be fiberglass for a smooth look. The provided magazine article appears to state that the sides are wood. We're not sure.

Pictures are included of the 1st of the 3 built, a show winning boat. The boat being offered here is the #3 project boat on the trailer, not the one with the white sides.

The boat was built as a 59 with the 59 J2 engine The title shows 1968. The boat was kept by the dealership owner until it was sold in 1968. As was common at the time, the boat was assigned a title and year model when it was sold in 68.

To summarize: The boat is in great shape, with no major structural issues. There are some issues that we have noticed:

• Port windshield is cracked and will need to be replaced (any glass shop can cut this flat piece

• The motor doesn't run, but weI can confirm it turns over.

• The boat will need a light sanding, pretty much all over and re-varnishing/paint.

• The trailer should be sanded, or sandblasted and painted. The tires are newer and all the lights work.

• The seats, floorboards, dash, etc, are all in very sound solid shape, no rot.

• You should expect to reupholster the boat as the vinyl is dated and getting stiff.