My Uncle had a left hand drive Classic when I was a kid (think it was a '73) and I loved it. Everything from the sound, the speed, wind blinding your forward vision (no windscreen) I loved it. A few of the people on the lake in Northern LP of MIchigan hated it tho
This is so awesome! We have a 76 X-18 with the standard Chevy 350 - about 300 or so horsepower and that’s plenty fast. A few years ago we blew the original drive and upgraded to a Volvo duo prop, which really changed the game in terms of handling and out of the hole power. This is so awesome though, and super clean! Keep making vids like this! What’s the fastest you’ve ever clocked it at?
The boat was purchased originally by my father brand new. I was told by him there was very few models made of the X-18. On the dash board it has an engraving by Donzi stating it was custom build for him. I believe originally it had the 454 in it. The original motor ran 75 on the very best day. Since then the original motor blew a crankshaft and the block was toast. The mechanic we deal with had a custom Mercury 454 that was build up and he replaced the original with that motor. We modified the hood, so the manifolds and carburetor would fit. Amazingly the original Mercury drive is still kicking and does not have any problems. I was told the new motor was in the 475 - 500 hp range. Even with a full tank and two large people in the boat it does low 70’s pretty easily. In the right conditions with little to no gas and one person in it, it will do dam near 80. It gets dangerous and the boat starts duck walking badly when you push it that hard. I tend to stay away from topping it out with less than a quarter tank. I will try and get some more videos of it. Hopefully, I will get some fly byes by the end of this summer. I wish there were more facts out about the boat and production numbers and what not. I cannot seem to find too much on the inner-webs.
When i worked for donzi in 77 thru 86, we built 18 2+3 with a big block 454 , 330 hp, tr2 outdrive. The boat would do all of 77 mph but the pnly problem was that the boat would chime walk due to the lift of the outdrive. So i know for fact this boat didn't reach 75mph
You probably built this one. I believe it is a 78, which came with the 454, and came with the especially built badge in the center console. My father is the original owner. U know how many x-18 were built with 454?
@PaulYDMarauder I probably built it. But I don't know about the badge you're talking about. I do know that there was only a few that had the 454 in it. Later on in the year, there was probably less than 6 that had the big blocks. After 78, there wasn't any big blocks built that I can remember. As for the x-18, there was very few built because of demand. Demand for the 2+3 went up. Most of those were equipped with the small blocks. 260 hp. After 79. The X18 deck was cut up.
To be completely honest I really don't know. The boat I want to say off the top of my head was made in 1978. I Believe only a handful of them were made with the 454 in it. This one comes with a custom badge stating it was specially designed for you. About 10 years ago I blew up the 454 and put in a custom Mercury 502. So there's really not much to compare it to. I have never seen one that was 100 % similar.
