Donzi X-18

[Howie]

Hello Everyone.... I am new to the forum and think this is going to be a real asset. I just purchased a 1979 X-18 with a vee drive in need of a complete restoration. Can anyone tell me if this is a rare boat? I cannot find anything out about the boat. I have seen older donzi's with vee drives. I just don't know where to start looking for information or parts. I want to put it back together right so it is original. If anyone could help I would appreciate it. Oh it does have a big block but I do not think it is original. The exhaust is Holman Moody headers (Looks nice).
Thanks
Howie

[RedDog]

Can anyone tell me if this is a rare boat? I cannot find anything out about the boat. I have seen older donzi's with vee drives. [/QB]Howie - I'm no expert - but I think you have some thing rare. If me, I wouldn't worry about making it original - make it the why YOU want it!

Post some pics for us!

[oldLenny]

Howie, your boat is most probably a '78 sold in '79. The V-drive option I have never heard of in the X boat. Big block either...unless custom and not on build sheets from DONZI. Post some pics ASAP!. What is the hull number? You either "have something there, a "RARE COLLECTORS ITEM" or just a collectors item. Only about 175 X boats ever made from '73-'78...common practice where I come from was when the old boat blew a drive (leg) they would glass in the transom and hang a V-drive and Casale from the hull instead...Maybe yours is a real McCoy!

Here is a price list and options etc from '75

http://www.donzi.net/photos/1975price.gif

***note at the bottom that they would do "ANYTHING"

[olredalert]

Lenny,

-------I wonder if there was another page of 1975 prices?The 24 line was in production by this time,yet isnt on this sheet.My El Pescador is a 75 and another one near here(in extremely bad condition,Buizilla)is titled as a 74.I have seen a price page in 1976 for the 24s that was separate from the rest of the line.That bottom line just goes to show you that DONZI would build you any boat you desired if there was a buck in it!..........Bill S


-------I just thought of checking on Corsicans on the price list and that model isnt there either!Three Corsicans were built in 1975.Two others and mine.The first two were completed in 75.Mine wasnt finished until 76.There was a majic-marker date on the wood in my Built-Rite seats of Jan 20th 1976,as well as the 1976 title.Special orders,I guess......Bill S again

[oldLenny]

Howie, Red, I will look through my "mound" of stuff and see if I can find the sheet for Dorals, Sptfires, El Pescadors etc....

[FlatRacer, aka BarrelBack]

If someone wanted that boat with a big block, it makes sense that it would've come with a V-drive, as the outdrives of the day couldn't handle the torque of the big motor.

FR :p

[olredalert]

-------Moodle is right,as usual.I had a new 78 factory delivered X18 454/TRS combo.70 out of the box and was dead reliable.........Bill S

[oldLenny]

...something for Howie and TuxedoPk...if they haven't already seen it...Sorry, Bill, still looking through ZIPs.

http://www.donzi.net/photos/X-18_brochure.jpg

http://www.donzi.net/photos/X-18_brochure_2.jpg

[FlatRacer, aka BarrelBack]

I stand corrected.

FR :)

[GEOO]

FR,
You were correct until the TRS came out ? 1976-77?
But even then I'm not sure how well a TRS would of held up to the 427 twin carb 500hp!! The jets an V-Drive were in most of the big HP Boats.
Interesting though; the Volvo speedmaster was a $ 2,000.00 option. WOW!!!

[CDMA]

George,

I think the TRS was available earlier then 76-77. More like 73.

I could be wrong

Chris

[HP 600SC]

Poodle's is a 74 and his is TRS......

[olredalert]

-------In 1972 I ordered a GT21 powered with a 427 Chev/Merc NO.3 drive combo.I know the TRS wasnt available then.That was a heavy set-up but good for about 60 at 4400RPM all day long.I put a lot of hours on that boat in the two years I had it and it never let me down once.Had nice stuff like stainless pulleys,etc.By the time 78 rolled around and I had the X18 with the TRS/big-block things had changed.Pulleys were just stamped steel and rusted easily.I noticed other quality issues as well.But the boat would run!........BILL s