Barn finding a 1917 Chevrolet V8 and Classic Wooden Boat

Corky Coker found this very rare early V8 Chevrolet chassis and early 1950s runabout in North Alabama. Finding them was the first challenge, now getting them out of the basement of this old Chevrolet dealership is the issue.
Chevrolet's first attempt at building a V8 in 1917 and 1918 put a water-cooled overhead valve V8 on the road nearly 40 years before the introduction of the legendary small block V8. The engine feature exposed valve train components protected by a simple metal shield. The engine cranked out a ground-pounding 36 horsepower. The Series D Chevrolet that the engine was equipped in was a slow seller in showrooms and quickly went out of production. This very rare example of a complete Series D chassis was used as a showroom display at the now closed Word Chevrolet in Scottsboro, Alabama for many years before going into basement storage as seen here.
The Century Boat Company was started in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1926 and was a leading builder of racing boats in the United States. The company also built thousands of vessels for the US Navy during World War II, but it was recreational runabouts and the larger cruisers that have been the mainstay of the company ever since. The Century brand has changed hands many time throughout the years, most recently being purchased back from Yamaha and based in Dade, City Florida in the United States. This early 1950s boat was purchased new in 1953 by Jake Word and was enjoyed for over a decade before maintenance forced the boat off the water into the basement storage. The boat still bears it's most recent permit on the bow issued in 1962. This 19 foot runabout (likely a 'Resorter' model) is a classic wood boat with a Continental six-cylinder engine that produces 125 horsepower.
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[@gordonwiessner6327]

My uncle had an 1950's ChrisCraft touring boat. The workmanship on the wood with the chrome and brass accents was done with a high level ,of craftsmanship. I was about between 7 to 9 years old at that time. The family would load up my grandfathers new 1959 4 Dr. Pontiac Star Chief and head out to the summer house on the beach for vacation. About 16 family members of which about 9 were children made sleeping space a little tight but between swimmingl, fishing, boating, evening campfires with marshmallows a blazing plus the never ending supply of lemonade or soda served over chipped ice was wonderful. As soon as I saw that boat it rekindled memories from 60 years ago. As you know we didn't have all the electronic gadgets or designer clothes of today's youth but we had something that has disappeared for many, caring, respect, family cohesion, love and fun. I'd rather have that then all of today's gimmicks, cell phones, fancy labels and look a like cars. Playing whiffle ball or volleyball on the beach, big slice of cold watermelon, and squirting my sisters and brothers with our water pistols. Cars and boats had class and style with enough selections of colors and accessories you could get that every third car at a traffic light didn't look the same. Unfortunately many of today's young people don't know what they're letting slip through their fingers. Bring back the chrome, curves and colors of yesterday. I'd take that 1917 Chevy chassis and put on a highly polished, tongue and groove, brass accented wooden ice delivery style truck. Nice video. And thanks for awakening old memories.

[@Barbara5797]

I'm amazed first that you found these gems and that you were able to acquire them! Thank you for sharing!

[@2boredfortv]

I CANNOT believe your luck!!!! that '17 Chevy V8 is a one in a BILLION find!!! I only hope I can hear it roar back to life one day!

[@fredanddebramacdonald2445]

I saw a 1918 Chevy V-8 coupe completely restored in 2008, when the Buick Club of America had the GM Centenial and 105 years of Buick celebration. That car is in the GM Heritage Collection. One of the best car collections you'll ever see.

[@barryhuddlestun3098]

Corky I think it would be a blast being you and able to do and find these things. top it off with buying lunch or dinner, the conversation must be amazing!

[@charlesdyer2376]

I need to come hang out with you guys .ya'll have all the fun.

[@rockerneck]

get this man a show.

[@thedarklordchinchin4873]

He had a show in the history channel

[@Ricopolico]

Yeah, a side show.

[@granttabor1338]

Used to deal with Honest Charley's back in the late 60s early 70s when I was partners in a speed shop in Wis. Would call up and say I need a crank for a Chev. 350 and the answer was always "Got it right here in my hand", I need a 671 blower "Got it right here in my hand":) :) :) Had big hands :) :)

[@queenofyeay]

So, you mentioned showing us the updates on the boat and the 1917 Chevy chassis, that's going on towards four years ago... Mr Jake Word was hoping his father's 1917 chassis would go to a museum.

[@user-fw3lk1hs3q]

The boat is gorgeous!

[@gojoe283]

For those who doubt the Chevy V8 from 1917, it was called the Chevrolet "D" series, or the Chevrolet Eight. It was available in 1917 and 1918, dumped in 1919 because it wasn't very economical. And yes, it was an OHV engine.

[@6h471]

The 1918 model year, after which they were dumped. 288 cubic inches putting out a whopping 36 hp.

[@alanquintus2069]

Pioneer Auto Museum, Murdoch,SD had/has one

[@user-py8km7ff5s]

Thank you Robert. I wish more people were as informed.

[@GregLuft-ent]

Love that boat! It's a beauty! Good find!

[@brb0713]

It amazing they had the modern version of the v 8 engine architecture down pat

[@kenadams3951]

It's great you can do this for everyone to see THANKS Ken.

[@blastenpene]

That's a fun video. Slicker than deer guts on a doorknob! Love to see that Chevy V8 run.

[@KowboyUSA]

We're running short on high quality old men like these. Ain't no replacing them once they're gone.

[@davidmusick1673]

Hey you got that right, I feel like I’m getting better everyday. I’ll be 72 in August and I learn more and more ever day.

[@jaydog7690]

wow !! that's something right ther! thank you for sharing that bit of American history. The life we knew growing up is fading fast..

[@erikluyten2070]

aw keep history alive l love you corky so cool i hate dreamers they destroy history keep it alive

[@Antipodean33]

The boat is like a classic Chris Craft design. The originals were made from mahogany planking and are absolute top line collector boats these days, worth a fortune

[@Masternater1000]

Nice old boat would love to see/hear it out on the water.

[@unclebuck9861]

I worked for Chevrolet for 38 years and never heard a word about Obama having anything to do with closing any Chevrolet dealership's that's a crock of horse shit ! Y'all !

[@tellmesomething2go]

LOVE TO HAVE THAT OLD BUILDING, TOO!

[@BobJones-hf7bt]

Century mahogany speed and ski boats are a rare find worth some money restored.

[@Ls3guy]

Thank you for taking a picture with me sir

[@kenfar9166]

that's a sweet find love the old boat

[@jamesruiz1776]

Whatta find .. he’ll yes 😮

[@ProjectRescues]

That is actually a 1918, not a 1917!And yes, it does have the "correct" wheels on it for 1918. The V8 engine size dpsplacement is actually a 490 V8.

[@michelehutchison3739]

I thought it was a 266ci motor.

[@patrickquirk-qz8ri]

490 was price of car.

[@MikeSmith-pm6sr]

Holy shit, I can not believe how you let that beautiful boat drop onto that trailer!!!!

[@non-nefarious]

Mike Smith: Corky said at the end of the video that they would have to put a new bottom on it. I don't think he was too concerned about it dropping a few inches.

[@terry67hartley]

There is a complete 1917 V8 Chevrolet in the Reno Museum of Cars. I was surprised as I didn't know Chevrolet had built a V8 earlier than 55'. There is an Air cooled Chevy in Reno also 23' I think.

[@rickmansberger4136]

It hurt when you dropped the transome on to the trailer. Gentle, boys, she is an old gal.

[@cordelmar]

What he saying about closing Chevy dealership, i never heard that.

[@BillyG869]

That Chevy V8 is precious please don’t screw it up

[@JohnMarshJr]

Have there been any new videos of the 1950 Century Boat? Would love to see that and that old chevy V8. Thanks for all you do Corky

[@Mike383HK]

Corky is a blast. Not too far from me.

[@richardskola3570]

Honest Charley speed shop? I haven't heard of Honest Charley in 50 yrs.

[@tellmesomething2go]

LOOKS LIKE LUNCH WAS PRETTY GOOD.

[@HonestHisself]

This was an impromptu barn find run for us, and the star of the day was the super-rare early V8 Chevrolet (at least for us). While there was some joking and carrying on during the day, this was an entirely spontaneous outing that found a handful of us piling in the truck to go get this rare old Chevy and a cool wooden boat, then head home at the end of the day. This isn't a TV show, but rather a single camera running while we dug out some nice old pieces of Americana and the stories that came with them.

[@imacarnut3224]

Honest Charley I cannot tell you how excited I am about your V-8 Chevy find! Words cannot describe it! That is my all time dream car! Correct me if I am wrong but isn't that only the 19th that is known to exist? Love it! Great video! I like wooden boats too but the old Chevy is the treasure to me! Thanks for the video!

[@01Greybeard]

Honest Charley as soon as you started blaming Obama for things he had nothing to do with, you got cut, and I won't be watching any of your videos. thanks for saying it so soon, that way I didn't have to struggle to understand gritspeak.

[@DumbCarGuy]

cool engine

[@01Greybeard]

Nowhere near any scab sucking tea party rethuglikkklan.

[@billrussell7672]

I would rather drink the tea than the wylers grape koolaid and that's a natural fact

[@shilohgardner]

Haven’t finished video but hope you snagged those old oil barrels.

[@goofball3236]

love that boat

[@Whalermansteve84]

Nice boat

[@billrussell7672]

honest charley is like Jay lenno's funner brother what dosen't flip cars while hes inside

[@hamerlee1]

Cadillac made it's first V8 in 1914 and then was the first mass producer of V8 engines. 2014 is Cadillacs 100 th anniversary of the V8.

[@ferrazbrother]

very good !!!

[@user-hb8be5wb4q]

He's not an actor. He's the owner of COKER TIRES.

[@AlienMonkeyDXB]

Guy with glasses: A young version of Tom Anderson from Beavis & Butt Head! ;-p

[@nightlightabcd]

Honest Charlie! really, are the Honest Charlie that had the car parts catalog? I used to buy stuff from you why back in the 70's when were working on our 55, 56.and 57 Chevys and Fords. I thought you would have been out of business by now. Good to hear from you. keep on trucken!

[@20alphabet]

Guys that call themselves Honest generally aren't. Poor old man.

[@jasonshaffer6732]

wow thats cool! chevy did produce a v8 in 1917 look it up......

[@austinwagoncompany]

So how about an update on his interesting find, did you ever check out the mechanicals? Locate any body parts for it or was it just sold to someone else? Thanks

[@alanhogan998]

seem tp remember reading about chevy trucks being used im ww 1 with that typ of v 8 the block bolted together

[@mercmad9278]

Wasn't this dealership on American Pickers a few years ago,when it was full of car and bikes?

[@HonestHisself]

Don't think this dealership was on Pickers but could be wrong

[@mercmad9278]

The layout inside with the big basement and that ramp running down stairs looks the same. Did you get the V8 running yet? My dad was in the VCCA in the 60's and I remember seeing pics of yard finds of one in their magazine. A very rare car even then.

[@jojozz52]

Great find guys ! Did you guys restore the boat ?

[@fredburban8219]

I see this is 3 yesrs old. What is the update on the Boat??

[@CR7sheva1]

For the boat

[@TheDigger1960]

Is there a part 2 to this Id like to see restoration on the boat

[@butterbean4195]

hey is this the same Honest charley's and in the speed shop? I worked at the speed shop in Jacksonville, Fla. back in the 80s

[@Mudsuitable]

OMG!! I know where one of those engines are sitting in a partially collapsed shack it even has a carb on it, in gonna have to go get it, the crank turns and it's FULL of old nasty oil to the brim like someone wanted to keep the internals rust free

[@remoapeter]

What kind of body is being made for that chassis? Is there a video too?

[@erikluyten2070]

but dount blame this on alboma this shut down years before

[@sc-sp4cm]

don't - you mean?

[@uski59]

Is there a followup vid for these beasties ???

[@Hanks1938ELKnucklehead]

Corky looks a little tired in the AM and when they get home, but he sure is all go at the dealership. Notice how business is done in the South? I'll buy your stuff and then I'll buy you lunch. That's probably how he sealed the deal, lord knows old farts love a free meal. (no disrespect intended) Hollywood should have tapped Corky to play a Confederate General a long time ago. Sometimes, I miss the South.

[@Lu-KN]

11:30 nice blue one

[@nattydaddy2352]

How come i cant find stuff like this

[@steviekeith2060]

Ok so whats it look like now

[@waswestkan]

I can understand not doing so on camera, regardless what was holding up the boat the person putting their leg between the boat and the boat trailer was due for critical feedback from the boss that's a stupid habit that needs to be broke. GM went to the Federal government upturned hat in hand, it's Obummers fault Chevy dealerships where closed? Those dealerships days where numbered regardless

[@RichardArnold151]

Love to know if he ever fired the old Chevy V8.

[@MrJerryrigged1]

I thought chevy didn't build a V8 until 1955

[@The12SQ7GT]

Live and learn! '55 was the first commercially successful V-8. But EVERYBODY made V-8's early on. They had one thing in common, though. The engines consisted of TWO FOUR CYLINDER BLOCKS bolted or welded together. Mr. Ford came up with the one-piece block and marketed it in 1932.

[@frankdeluca5983]

Alot of manufacturers had v8s in the early days...Henry Ford popularized them with his flathead V8 from 32 to 53 but it certainly wasn't the first

[@rogo69]

that coker guy is one scary dude

[@Axbear]

As far as i know the first Chevy V8 appeared in 1955.

[@jeffallen2923]

Wrong. Check this out... kzbin.info/www/bejne/nGbYn3tmd8Z2m5I And check out the specs. Overhead valves, alloy water cooled inlet manifold, twin exhausts, standard pedal and control layout, electric lighting and starter, the list goes on. 1918? 101 years ago. What happened?

[@CR7sheva1]

How much did you pay for the cuz I have same kind?

[@kscottloke6525]

the headline says nothing about just a chassis

[@Ken19700]

What did you do with that Chevy V8?

[@frankdeluca5983]

All the old Chevy engines were overhead valve engines....

[@waltesch9332]

The old boy had a chance to jump on the hatin' the president bandwagon...and just chose not to...shows more class than some folks.

[@davids.794]

Walt Esch Sounds to me like he was doin' some hating....

[@flyhouseoftruth470]

Think I'd rather have an early 70s 400 SBC. Just as rare and a way better engine.

[@therepairguy1]

Do you guys know where you can get new tires for that old chevy? HA!

[@australianhistoricvehiclee3800]

Whats the six cylinder ?

[@robertgage7432]

Corky the Goober grew up around a tire store. "What fun".

[@petejulie1000]

Polish plumbers recover a burn pile bote and prehistoric V 8 motor of some kind. Hey Corky, When you gonna make me sumore 14 inch Michlin tarz fir my MGB?

[@macvaugh7]

Seems like, with all the "cyphering", somebody should have brought some work gloves and safety gear.

[@MarzipanProductions]

Tell me again about how Obama made all the Chevy dealers close. I must have blinked.

[@davidupton9354]

You must have been born yesterday. His cash for clunkers, giving the companies to the UNIONS and all the other STUPID SHIT he did!

[@robertdukett6339]

Are you stupid, are you rip van winkle, did you not see all of the treasonous acts committed by o bumma himself..... Not to mention his loyal minions.... Eric Holder, Joe Biden, and who could forget crooked Hillary..... Chicago corruption at it's finest..... Make AMERICA great again.......

[@kelli217]

Series D from the 1918 model year... cool. It didn't make a whole lot of horsepower, like 35hp, from a 288-cubic-inch engine. If the auto manufacturers hadn't been bailed out, _EVERY ONE_ of those GM dealerships that didn't have side businesses with other companies would have gone out of business, because there wouldn't have been a GM anymore. Not to mention all the parts suppliers with GM contracts.

[@gerrynightingale9045]

You cannot convince 'white-trash' of anything with 'facts'...they know NOTHING of the 'real World', just the imaginary one they prefer to live in.(are you one of 'THE' Halliburtons ? )

[@kelli217]

Are you Florence's great-great-grandson? ;)

[@gerrynightingale9045]

***** We're related, yes...I think I'm a '3thd. cousin' or some shit like that, (it means nothing...on my Mother's side...I have a least a hundred 'blood relatives' and God knows how many in-laws, all of whom seem to be escapees from 'The Hills Have Eyes' and 'Deliverance'...at least to me they are) None of whom are 'rich' unless you consider dead appliances and cars as 'accumulated wealth' being allowed to 'appreeshimify' in front of an 'ancestral manse'.

[@kelli217]

Well, there you go. I have to go back at least three and probably more like four generations before their line and mine have any common elements. :D

[@gerrynightingale9045]

The only 'proud lineage' I can or would want to claim is that the atoms I'm composed of are likely as old as the Universe itself...so that's something.

[@richbright540]

Barn find¿ could we lease it? A remedy for u an me? Let's ponder what will be! Future generations what will they see? The Jobs of Past are gone at last! Everything has been automated!! It happened so fast! This poor population grew and grew! Clue!! Those left working Paying bills!! Just the thought gives me chills!! We built houses, cars and jars !! Under this Flag with Stars and Bars!! A Great Nation Land of the Free??? The dreams of my parents for all of Yee! Did they look with future sight?? All wrongs been done!! Must be set Right!!

[@specialized29er86]

Its August 2018.

[@SoFloCamejo]

lol at 7:08

[@walkertongdee]

honest is a name others give to you. I am sure this guy tagged it to his name to convince others that he is honest. If this guy is honest I would be shocked.

[@HonestHisself]

"Honest" Charley Card died in the early 1970s. The name was given him when he ran a restaurant, and under busy workloads would place a cigar box out front to deposit money for your meals. Signage asked if you were honest, pay here. something along those lines. Honest Charley was a true hotrodder and eventually dabbling in speed parts lead to a full-fledged parts business, and the name he earned in his restarant stuck with him the rest of his life.

[@joeolivas7437]

I found a 1918 truck

[@carnipicus5320]

Dropped the boat

[@johnzito8219]

all those one second shots sucks!

[@taxedpayer354]

Bev Hillbillies alittle ahead of your game....

[@jakebrakeify]

So Chevy had the the V8 15 years before Ford? True but it came and went a commercial failure. The magic of Ford is they figured out how to mass produce a V8 for the average person and Chevy did not. Sorry guys no one gets nostalgic about Chevy's in the '30's.

[@cynthiajolly1289]

1917 wouldnt have a v8 chevy maybe a straight 8 caddy motor

[@billypate2479]

Yes Chevrolet had a V8 back then it wasn't a Cadillac V8 was a different design.

[@ratj4715]

Obama close the Chevy dealership. Man he really was hands on president. But I think it was Obama that save Chevy. If I can remember correctly. Not sure but i think there wouldn’t be no Chevy dealership at all if not for him. I think you better stick to buying cars.

[@trillrifaxegrindor4411]

his bullshit bankrupted gm,then he took your money and bailed them out and you and your grandkids will be paying for it.dont ask for a discount at your local gm dealership though.

[@TheHelado36]

Dude put some wax on that moustache and show a decent handlebar !

[@jeffreybuse6814]

Take them out the same way they go in. No brainer.

[@robertgage7432]

"We have to make room for the Fork Truck" Hey, Hick, it is called a Fork LIFT. These Goobers probably still watch shows on the "picture box"

[@davidupton9354]

I bet it a terrible problem for someone as smart as you to find someone to talk to.

[@stevestumbaugh8982]

Oobma did no such thing. He saved the dealerships you fool!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@iamrichrocker]

when i talk with people that have stache hairs dangling down like that into their mouth i can't help but wonder what eating is like with that beast...ugh

[@clarkegardner5754]

Kodak skids. Car1948