73 Monza 30
 

My name is Phil Zisakis, I am a new guy but have been lurking for a little while. Nice to meet all of you. My hat is off to you folks for the great forum.

Today I go look at a 1973 Monza 30' undertaker. It isn't far and if the project isn't to far over my head, I hope to come home with it. It still is set up as a race boat with 2 small blocks and what I think are speedmasters, but the guy isn't sure. It is in pieces but I love it.

Any words of wisdom you guys would be of great help. The name painted on the boat is "Insatiable". It also has "World record holder 1973" painted on the side boasting 68.5 mph.

Thanks for the help.

Phil Zisakis

Phil, I think there was some other discussion about the boat in this section. You're a Southern CA guy too huh? If you need anything, there are a few very good shops around that don't advertise much and the SCOPE guys are a great bunch of guys who are knowlegable hand helpful.

Good luck!

http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/s...150875&page=21

Just a breif mention of it. Seems like if H2Oboater doesn't know it, then it probably didn't run much on the east coast.

We'll I just got back. The boat was 26 not 30 and no title to the home made trailer. The drives were volvo 270's and the small blocks were nothing special.

Here is the story, some of which I made up or guessed. The owner or partner or whoever I was dealing with knew less about the boat than I did, and I don't know much. The previous owner, or perhaps a couple owners back, moved the fuel tanks out of the nose, then installed new tanks in the cockpit floor. I think this made the boat light in the nose and it had trouble planing. Then they figured they would just remove the dash and 3 man bolsters and install the front seats 2 1/2 feet forward. After removing all the original race stuff, there was a brush fire that blistered the paint on the right side. Then was sold after being totaled.

The wheeler dealers that have it now have a few other items for sale that appear to be from the same fire sale. He got a little bent when I pointed out the missing four feet. I checked the title and it is indeed a 26'. The ebay add has still not been changed. Did Monza produce a 30' in '73?

With all it's flaws and misrepresentaions, I still really like this boat....alot. I doubt if they will be able to pass it off as a 30 to anybody else. I was thinking about coming back with a offer about 25% less than before. Keep in mind it does not run, drives are suspect but are not too corroded. I figure it will cost about the same restore as a larger boat. I realize it will not sell for as much as a larger boat would when finished if I decide to upgrade. The boat is rough, the pics on ebay make the boat appear better than in person. Alot of the cool stuff is missing but it isn't so far it couldn't be brought back.

Any thoughts? I think I will try to buy her after the ebay hubub is over. Anybody else look at her?

Dude! Sweet! I live in Midway City. I would appreciate the help with some local shops.

Phil Zisakis

Midway City? You are neighbors up Beach Blvd north of Dude and me. I saw this boat and added to my "watched items" list. I figured that someone was shiesty with their description. Good detective work. See ya around HB.

Hugh

I knew Monza made a 26' & 19' boat , but a 30' ??? There was a 26' here in Michigan that raced back in the day with twin jet drive's called The Chief. If it doesn't feel right than walk away, there is always another one out there.

As my hydrodynamically opportunistic friend said, we're real close! Comparatively, neigbors. #1 Recommendation for boat repair guys is Matt Brayton at Mobile Marine Service here in HB. Super guy, knowlegable, really fair prices and not full of crap. What else can you ask for?

Paul Pfaff is a great guy too, but his place is a bit spendy. Same with Mark at Prescision (working out of the back of Conrad's place now).

Shoot me an email at pai_racing"at"hotmail.com and I'll give you Matt's number.

I agree 100% with H20's comments. I was looking at a vintage race boat for a bit (I got back on my medication and bought something that I could actually drive and enjoy instead :D ). Charlie McCarthy had some really good leads on some nice old school heavy metal (Betram 38 Comp, LS Scarab, etc.) for pretty reasonable prices, relatively speaking. The boat's are around, you just have to know who to ask.

I'm no expert on this stuff, but I will still throw my two cents out there. No matter what you restore, whether it be a no-name Monza or a Benihana boat, you're basically going to put in the same amount of time and effort and cash into the restoration. Race history is going to have at least as much to do with what the boat is worth as the quality of the restoration when the boat's done. So, given two boats in similar condition, one with real history and one with questionable history, or no history, you'd be better off sinking equal dollars into the boat that had been there and done that.

Like I said, when I was looking, I think Charlie came up with at least 3 boats right off the top of his head. And I'm betting that every one of these guys like H20Boater, Brownie, 7XChamp, T2X knows where at least one old race boat is (and more likely at least 4) sitting, waiting for someone to give a crap about it again.

Oh and my suggestion, if you really think you have to have this boat... Wait a couple of months and then offer to tow it away for free! :D

Good luck dude!

AGREED!
You'd have to bring it back to original, including 3man and fuel tanks where they should belong.
If you don'tLOVE this boat (which it does seem you dont) i'd pass. We're not talking $20k to get it where it belongs. Lot more.

Auction closed @ $5100. Reserve not met.
The seller truly believes that this boat is a winning piece of history. Good luck.

Stormrider,

As I read over my posts I can see how it may seem as if I don't care for the boat. I was irritated by shiesters that lied on the phone, and didn't stop the whole time I was crawling around the boat. The point I was trying to make was, the boat was not in good hands and that the cool pieces are rapidly getting lost.

I do love the boat! There, I said it. I feel the need to rescue her and didn't want the guys to be makin fun of me, thinkin' I don't know any better. These people are ruining my boat and I have to pay them to stop, right away.


Phil Zisakis

OK... then you should go for it.
But be prepared, this will not be cheap.

Right on Phil. I've been there too. There's a 1:1 scale replica of a '66 Impala SS convertible running around LA somewhere because I had to save an original and fully enjoyed NY car...

That 5100 bid is part of thier scam as is the reserve. They have other examples of thier boat work in the yard. They are the ones that removed the dash, bolster, and other stuff. Soon it will be very difficult to return to cool. I would rather pay for the boat now than have it for free if they put another day of "upgrading" into it.

Phil Zisakis

Phil
 

Welcome to the board.

Monza made a 19 and a 26. Did not make anything larger. I had a 19 years ago. Company was in Lauderdale and owned by Steve Weinsier{sp?). Was told they got in trouble with IRS and folded. Lots of wood...have checked out. Its definately old school tech, but had no issues with mine. This Monza company is not to be confused with Monza in Miami today, making mainly center console boats.

Well, my offer was not accepted. Thanks to all for the help. On the bright side, it was the kick in the butt I needed to get me posting and out of the shadows. Good to know not everybody is so far east of me.

I offered $3500 plus $200 more for them to get a dmv title for the trailer, (since it is so easy and simple), plus $100 extra if they could find the bolster they were pretty sure they didn't throw away. Alot of money for that boat when you consider that these people felt the racing setup was something to be thrown in the trash in favor of thier "updates"

Phil Zisakis

early monza's
 

The first Monza's were made in Hollywood around 69-70..company owned by Ken Elkind..lots of stories about him, but the boats were nice..I built about 5 before I got fed up..HM with Volvo outdrives..I think 19 feet..So Fla trailers were built in the building around 89..building still there.

I was just looking thru a December 1973 Propeller magazine (APBA publication) and found a listing for "New records". One record for Offshore Class III was a Monza-Fina hull, on 8/30/73 in LA California at 66.944 mph, in a boat called "Plum Crazy" with Mercury power and driven by a Don Ritter. Could be the same boat??? I hope this info helps.:cool-smiley-011:

Second time around! She is back up on Ebay correctly identified as a 26 foot with a Buy It Now of $5800..."so you don't have to wait for the close of auction".

Good luck to serious parties.

back again.... this time no reserve... good luck!

It appears to be the same "zero feedback" bidder running it up as last time. They were willing to sell 1000 under bid price when I looked at it.

Phil