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19' Commander Super Sport and XK-19
In 1969 only 101 19' Commander Super Sports were built, making this one off the rarest Commander models of all. Power was from a 327Q or a 302 FLV using a V-drive configuration. From 1970 through 1975 the Commander name was dropped, and the model evolved into the 19' XK-19,which was essentially the same boat but some came with a padded aft deck, and many came with an efficient transdrive as the industry changed over from V-drive transmissions. Power for the latter series XK-19 included the 302FLV and 350FLV. The boat shown below is a 1970 V-drive model, with the Super Sport and XK-19 badges, indicating it was an early transitional model prior to the advent of transdrive production. It is possible to find an early XK-19 with V-drive or transdrive transmissions.
1969 Commander Super Sport
FRAV-19-001 to FRAV-10-090
FRAZ-19-001 to FRAZ-19-015
NOTE: It is not known if the change to the FRAZ designation signified the Commander Super Sport also received a transdrive installation or not.
1970-1975 Corsair XK-19
ORCZ-19-001 to ORCZ-19-055 (1970)
ORAV-19-001 to ORAV-19-075 (1970)*
ORCZ-19-2001 to ORCZ-19-2051 (1971-72)
ORCZ-19-3001 to ORCZ-19-3050 (1973)
ORCZ-19-4001 to ORCZ-19-4025 (1974)
ORCZ-19-5001 to ORCZ-19-5020 (1975)
*Note the two model designation for 1970, which may well signify the transition point from the clean aft deck V-drive boats to the padded aft deck transdrive models.
Length 19'-4"
Beam 7'-4"
Draft 30"
Weight 2861 pounds
The 19' Chris Craft Super Sport began life as a 19' Lancer (of which 140 were built in 1968, all with transdrives). The Lancer freeboard was lowered a bit, and a sleek all new top deck was designed by Dick Avery. The result was a great looking superboat that had the same rakish look as the XK series Jaguars. The original 1969 19' Commander Super Sport featured a V-drive similar to the 23' Commander of 1969 and 1969, and it eventually evolved into a transdrive power system as the boat became known as the XK-19. Almost simultaneously, the 23' Commander evolved into the 23' transdrive Lancer. All of the Lancers, the Commander Super Sports, the 18', 19', and 22' XK boats, the fiberglass Sea Skiffs of 1966 and 67, and the Corsairs that followed, were all built in the Cortland, New York plant Chris Craft acquired from Thompson.
The 19' Chris Craft Super Sport line drawing, as provided by Chris Craft sales and marketing department.
A fully restored V-drive Super Sport owned by Alan Jackson, of Nashville, TN. Photo by Paul Pletcher.
An original V-drive survivor discovered, discussed, and purchased right here on the Chris Craft Commander Forum. This boat is featured in numerous threads, and the restoration process is a rewarding one to read. Thanks to "Mercrewser" for sharing all of this information.
Original Chris Craft sales literature and photos
Two great articles about the Lancer evolution (the latter by Dick Avery). This is a fascinating insiders look into the evolution of the Lancer and Commander Super Sport hull design, and the advent of Chris Craft's venture into fiberglass runabouts. Chris Craft knew fiberglass was the new wave of future boat manufacturing, and their acquisition of the Thompson Boat Company of New York not only squashed some significant competition in the runabout lines, but it also gave Chris Craft lots of immediate technology. There were some really great boats to come out of Cortland, New York!
A multi-page 19' Commander Super Sport ~*~ Chris Craft XK-19 ~*~ 19' Lancer (Photo essay) can be found right here on the Chris Craft Commander Forum, Inc.
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