Runabout Reflections

Our story continues -- with the reconstruction of a startlingly beautiful machine.

The complete restoration of "Tuxedo Taxi," one of only three 28-foot Chris-Craft Sedan Limousines built in 1929, took four years. For the first three years, her restoration proceeded in Tahoe City, CA, at "Western Runabouts." Until Roy Domke launched his own boatshop, Runabout Reflections in 1992, he commuted to Tahoe every weekend to work on "Tuxedo."

When he created Runabout Reflections in 1992, Roy Domke bought-out "Western Runabouts' " interest in "Tuxedo Taxi," and took on her restoration as the first project in his new shop.

Domke then began to gather a group of artisans who contributed their immense talents to the reconstruction of this marvelous boat, which is now the "flagship" of the shop. These craftsmen continue to contribute their abilities to all the boats which are restored at Runabout Reflections.

• Rod Sousa, of "Rod's Stiched Interiors" (Cotati, CA)
• John Matson, of "Race Designs" (Cotati, CA)
• Peter Kahl of "Boat Lettering" (Sausilito, CA), who designed and painted the name on the transom of "Tuxedo Taxi."
• and the late John Clark, who did the initial rebuilding of the engine in his shop in Versailles, Kentucky

All the hard work and long hours paid off when at the "Concourse," her first show, "Tuxedo" took home several prestigious awards: a First Place, the Best Chris-Craft of Show, and a people's choice award, "Most Elegant of Show."