I remember the very first time I saw “Dork” at the Lake Tahoe Concours d’Elegance many years ago. And at the time, I have to admit that my first thought (to myself) was “What’s the deal with the name?” Today, almost 8 years later, I have finally learned why “Dork” has her name… I think. (We captured the above image during the 2010 Lake Tahoe Concours – Texx)
Yesterday on Woody Boater, there were a few fun comments about misspelling a boat’s name on the transom. This morning, fellow Woody Boater and Chris-Craft Antique Boat Club Executive Director Emeritus (and all-around good guy) Wilson Wright posted a comment on Woody Boater as follows…
Wilson said…
Yes, a painter did get a boat name wrong once… Wilbur Miller of Lake Tahoe fame who has now gone to the great marina in the sky had a wife named Dorthea. He called her Dort for short. Wilbur had a 1947 Chris-Craft Red & White Racer (well it was actually green and white to match his Buick of the same year, but that’s another story). Wilbur told the painter to put “Dort” on the transom… You guessed it… The painter was a tad hard of hearing and so he painted “Dork”… Wilbur said, “What the hell, leave it that way.”
Last I heard his grandsons still have the boat and it is still named “Dork”.
Thanks Wilson, after 8 years I now know why she’s named “Dork”, and will once again be able to sleep… Texx
“Dork” is a beautiful, unusual colored 1948 19′ Chris-Craft Racing Runabout currently owned by Bill & Rob Shepherd, from Lafayette, California – with an interesting history.
In the 2010 Lake Tahoe Concours d’Elegance program, “Dork” is described by her owners as follows…
“Dork” was sold in 1948 at the San Francisco Boat Show (to a Doctor from Burlingame, CA), then purchased by Wilbur Miller in 1953 off an Indian Reservation near Tonopah, Nevada. She has been in the Miller-Shepherd family since Wilbur gave “Dork” to his grandsons, Bill & Rob Shepherd. This boat has won awards in the “racer” class in every boat show except the year she sank just before the judging. This is the only boat that has been shown in every Lake Tahoe Concours d’Elegance. – Bill & Rob Shepherd
Now here’s the crazy part… After reading Wilson’s comment on Woody Boater earlier today, I remembered that I had a few images of “Dork” from the Lake Tahoe Concours, and thought it would to fun to use Wilson’s comment for a short story on this unique boat.
So I sat down to my trusty computer and began preparing a few crappy images I had in my archive the story… Just then I received an e-mail from fellow Woody Boater Philip Andrew in New Zealand. He also noticed Wilson’s comment on “Dork” and said he had some images of the boat from the 2009 Lake Tahoe Concours, and we were welcome to use them for a story.
So, thanks to Philip, we now have some very nice images of “Dork” for our story.
Here’s a nice shot of “Dork” with some of her Racing Runabout family during the 2010 Lake Tahoe Concours d’Elegance at the Sierra Boat Company Marina in Carnelian Bay, California. She certainly stands out in a crowd…
Today’s story, What’s In A Name – “Dork”, Has been brought to you by Wilson Wright (Florida), Philip Andrew (Wellington, New Zealand) with commentary by Bill & Rob Shepherd (California) courtesy of the Lake Tahoe Concours program.
The power of Woody Boater strikes again!
Texx
Another interesting story Texx and a very unique Chris-Craft with a unique name for sure. Thanks
it is stories like this that I always look forward to pulling up this website each day, and relax, in the world of “Woodyboaterville”…
Wow! Stunning boat! That story needs to go in the next Transom book. Have to agree with Dennis, your website in so ingrained in my computer I just have to hit “W” and it comes up.
Fun story.
My Best Friends are Dorks.
Many of my friends are Dorks too… Case in point – Chad’s my friend and he claims to be a self-professed Dork when he wears his Captains Cap… Ha
I’m a dork without the hat.
Actually the name Dork is fitting to a boat that is not standard…
Definition of dork is Someone who has odd interests, and is often silly at times. A dork is also someone who can be themselves and not care what anyone thinks.
I think it sort of works…
Glad I mentioned it…But I always’ thought Wilbur bought the boat new from Dick Clarke at Sierra Boat Works and that Dick paintred the red part green to match Wilbur,s Buick ( convertible, I think) which is why they allowed it to be judged as original at Tahoe since the dealer painted it before it was delivered. But if you say it was perviously owned by a Doctor, I guess it isw true. Guess Mary Jo Miller Shepherd could tell us for sure.
Hi Wilson – The information on the history of “Dork” was taken directly from the 2010 Lake Tahoe Concours program and the placard that the Shepherd family displayed in the boat at the Concours. The placard did make reference the fact that the Chris-Craft’s color was changed to match Wilbur Miller’s car back in the day.
Hopefully the Shepherd family will chime to shed some light on where the boat was originally purchased, etc.
Thanks again for your comments on this unique Chris-Craft.