Donzi CLASSIC 18

1968 DONZI CLASSIC 18 "BARREL BACK" DECK OFF RESTORATION >>>SORRY FOR THE LONG DESCRIPTION BUT WANTED TO LIST UPGRADES & BEACURATE AS POSSIBLE<<< Where to begin is not easy with thisBarrel BackDonzi Classic, but here goes. This1968 Donziwas purchased over10 years ago bya very enthusiastic DONZI Lover.At that time although the boat was running & useableit was invery average condition.Average is not too bad for anearly 40 year old classic Donzi but the new owner used this as an excuse tostart a DeckOff Restoration of this Timeless Classic.He set up in his home garage for the redo & took the top cap or deck off.He then removed the near 40 year old 25 gal gas tank (which are known to be troublesome for the older Donzi's & replaced it with a custom fabricated 40 gallon gas tank. Whilethedeck was off, hesent the boat to ameticulous Donzirestorer in middle Florida & hadthe inside hull redone to includeStringers, Bulk Heads, Transom. When that was finishedthe entire inside hull was painted in bright white. As you will see from the picturesduring that part of the restoration the normally not seen under the deck was put back like new condition.I would say that was the beginning of aCOMPLETE DECK OFF RESTORATION of the boat. I have tried to describe & include the stages of restoration below. THIS RESTORATION HAS BEEN ONGOING FORNEARLY THE LAST 10 YEARS & THEREFOR I DO NOT WANT TO IMPLY THE BOAT IS LIKE NEW CONDITIONBUT IS IN EXTREMELYGOOD SHAPE & HAS HADMOST ALL MAJOR & MINORCOMPONENTS REPLACED OR REBUILT. THE 1ST STAGE OFRESTORATION INCLUDED >1. NEW CUSTOM MADE 40 GAL GAS TANK INSTALLED- >2. INSIDE HULL COMPLETELYREDONE- REINFORCED &PAINTED- >3.NEW/REBUILT 302 FORD MARINE ENGINE W/PERFORMANCE UPGRADESALONG W/ ELECTRIC WATER PUMP- >4. COMPLETE REDONE INTERIOR INCLUDING SWIVEL SEATS, REAR BENCH SEATW/CUSTOM MATCHING COCKPIT COVER- >5. NEW GEL/PAINT BOTTOM,TRANSOM, SIDES, & DECK IN WHITE WITH TEAL CENTER STRIPE & PLUM PIN STRIPING MATCHINGINTERIOR- >6. HYDRAULIC STEERING W/TILT ORIGINAL STEERING WHEEL - >7. VOLVO 270 DRIVE REMOVED & REBUILT TO NEW SPECS W/ VOLVO ULTRA PERFORMANCESTAINLESS PROP- >8. NEW/REBUILT TRANSOM ASSEMBLY - >9. CUSTOM PAINTED & RESTORED SINGLE AXLE TRAILER-MORE IN AVERAGE CONDITION NOW- >10.RESTOREDTHE OLD 60's CLASSIC STYLE DASH PLATE, W/NEW GAUGES. AFTER MANY YEARS & LABORHOURS THE OWNERS HECTIC WORK SCHEDULE LEFT THE BARREL BACK UNFINISHED & IT SAT IN HIS HOME GARAGE MOSTLY RESTRORED BUT STILL APART FOR A FEW YEARS.THE LITTLE CLASSICWAS FINALLY SOLD TO ANOTHER COLLECTOR WITH PROMISES THAT IT WOULD BE FINISHED.IT HAS TAKEN THE LAST FEW YEARS TO COMPLETE THE RESTORATION PROCESS.THIS PART OF THE RESTORATION WOULD INCLUDE>>1.NEW WIRING HARNESS & INSTALLATION. >2.LOCATNG OUTDRIVE & STERRING ACCESORY PARTS & INSTALLING THE REBUILT VOLVO 270OUTDRIVEINCLUDING POWER TILT. >3. INSTALLING THE HYDRAULIC STEERING ON THE BOAT. >4.RUNNING & INSTALLING ALL THE GAS LINES FROM DECK TO TANK & FROM TANK TOENGINE. >5.LOCATING ORIGINAL DONZI CLASSIC ALUMINUMRUB RAILS & BRIGHT WORK ACCESORIES & INSTALLING THEM. ALTHOUGH THESE THINGS MIGHT SOUND SIMPLE THEYARE PAINSTAKINGLY DIFFICULT & AGAIN MANY LABOR HOURS WERE SPENT. FINALLY THE BOAT, WATER READYWASSPLASHEDTHE LAST PART OFAUGUST 2015.STILL BUTTONING UP SOMEMINOR ITEMS NOW BUT THE BOATSHOULDBE READY FORPICKUP ORDELIVERY EARLY PART OF SEPTEMBER 2015. SINCE THIS TOTAL RESTORATIONHAS TAKENNEARLY 10 YEARS TO COMPLETE,I WOULD LIKETO GO OVER THE CONDITION OF THE BOAT AS IT SITS TODAY. THE BOAT WOULD HAVE BEEN SHOW CLASSIF COMPLETED YEAR AGO BUT SOME ITEMS NOW SHOW SOME WEAR MOSTLY MINOR, I WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THOSE HERE. CONDITION SEPTEMBER 2015~~~ >GEL/PAINT- on the boat is well above average condition. Still shines up wonderfully as can be see in the pictures. There are2 patches of small air bubblesnoticedon either side ofthe front deck stripe.After speaking withmore knowledgeable peopleit can be addressed easily if needed,we are not qualified to do this part & if the boatis going to be used & not shown in competition it isnot very noticeable & new owner may decide to leave as is. I did want to mention it because the rest of the boat shows so extremely well.I tried to get pictures ofthe bubbles & are includedbut was hard to get them to show up on the white deck.The size of the affectedareas are approx. 3 inches by30 inches on one side of the center stripe & approx.8 inches by8 inches on the other side of stripe. >INTERIOR- well above average but not as perfect as it was 10 years ago. It includes the two swivel bucket seats up front w/three piece rearseat all done in white with the matching plum piping like the pin striping.There is alsoamatching color coordinated cockpit coverinstalled. >MOTOR- very appealing to the eye, sounds wonderful & preforms very well. There are customdownward angle chrome thru hullpipes installed for quieter running at the dockor atno wakespeed. When up on a plane,you get thethroaty V-8 rumble that classic DONZI's are known for.The Ford 289/302 motorhasless than 5 hours on it & hasplentyof power for cruising, water skiing,& full throttle running as soon a the motor is brokenin. >OUTDRIVE-cosmeticallyvery nice & performs as it should along with power tilt not trim. >TRAILER- white with matching pin striping like the boat in very usable condition but not show quality any longer.Consider the trailer to be average &you should not be disappointed. >STEREO- left undonewith cutout for completion as we feltmost people would likecustomize thattotheirtaste.If a stereo system was not needed As far aspicturesgo we haveapproximately a100 shots during thelast 15 yearsthat encompass before therestoration started, all during the restoration & finally as seen today.Wecan only show 24 picsin the classifieds boardad but would be glad toforward more if needed.Thewinner of this auction will get all the pictures from beginning to end along with the restorers namesthat have had a hand in this long process. A few yearsbackI would havejudged this boat as a9.5 on a 1-10 scale, compared to even a Newer Donzi Classic. NowI would be more comfortable to saya solid 8, maybe even a little betterif thetouchups to the frontdeck are addressed. It should please almost anyone considering a Classic DONZI, even a newer one. The fact that it is a rare Barrel Back Donzi from the 1960's is just a bonus. We were told there were onlyapproximately 223barrel backs ever made byDonzi & this one has the hull # 219written in black pencil on the underside of the vey front of the bow. These Barrel Backs have become favorites for collectors & were made only from 1966thru 1968. As you can imagine,they can be very hard to find especially in this condition.If this restoration was started & done today, itshouldcost10's of thousands of dollarsinjust in parts & labor alone. >>>AGAIN SORRY FOR THE LONG DESCRIPTION WE HAVE TRIED OUR BEST TO GIVE A GOOD PICTURE OF WHT THE BOAT IS LIKE NOW & ALSO MAKE THIS RESTORED 1968 BARREL BACK DONZI AFFORDABLE WITH ALOW STARTING PRICE, A VERY LOW RESERVE &IBELIEVE A VERYREASONABLE BUY IT NOW PRICE! THANK YOU SO MUCH FORCHECKING OUT THISCLASSIC SPEED BOAT& IFTHERE AREANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE SEND THEM THRU classifieds board & WE WILL GET BACK WITH YOU. * Please be advised that the 1st 15 photos on this Auctionshow how the Donzi Classic shows now, the next9 are of the restoration in progress over the last 10 years. Wealsohave pictures of the boat 12 to 15 years ago before the transformation began.