The Chris Craft Cobra was a one-year-only product by the venerable boat manufacturer in 1955. Only 108 boats were produced. Primarily produced to showcase Chris Craft's design and manufacturing prowess, the Cobra bristled with the latest technologies including a plexiglass windshield, the first use of fiberglass on any boat by Chris Craft, and the powerful Chrysler "hemi" engine. By 1955 Edgar Kaiser was carrying on his father's tradition in unlimited hydroplane boat racing and was campaigning several race boats including Scooter Too, Restless and Hawaii Kai. Edgar and his father Henry purchased 007 for their use on Lake Tahoe and raced the boat in the lower (slower) classes at the Tahoe Yacht Club regattas. They did have 007 outfitted with the same engine and McCullough superchargers used on Restless, making it one of the fastest "production" boats on Lake Tahoe.
The Chris Craft Cobra "007" at the Yacht Club at Fleur du Lac
The Chris Craft Cobra 007 was owned by the Kaiser family and spent most of its early life in the boat house at the Fleur du Lac Estate. This photograh shows 007 tied to the landing dock at the Yacht Club at Fleur du Lac. The 16in x 20in photograph is printed on acrylic to accentuate the colors and provide depth. Signed and numbered.