According to the original manufacturer's description of the CV-21 in its initial year on the market, this was the "...first Glastron/Carlson to be designed and engineered for jet power alone." The "rich metalflake Gold and Sand" exterior was matched with a sportwheel, lockable glove compartment, plated grab bar, and teak trim and entry steps. Like many other Glastrons from this era, it also came with "superb instrumentation" so you'd know just how fast you were going and to keep tabs on the V8 performance. The propulsion for the CV-21 came from a Berkeley jet drive likely mated to a 455 Oldsmobile. 

The pictures on this boat show an interesting fuel storage setup with large steel tanks in the engine compartment. Most boats with closed bow configurations utilize the dead space up front for the gasoline for both space savings and counterbalancing purposes. Given the fuel sucking potential of the V8 at wide open throttle it was probably a good idea to make sure both tanks were full at the beginning of any voyage.

Another interesting difference between this boat and the original CV-21's is the windshield. On all of the 1971 through 1975 CV-21's we could not find any examples without the windshield supports went all the way back to the rear bench area. Rumor has it that these gaps were designed to allow the occupants to reach out and grab swimmers or docks as they approached. 

The CVX line from Glastron Carlson is the quintessential retro runabout. Coming in 16, 18, and 20 foot varieties, this boat is evidently built for speed and good looks. Like many of its contemporaries, this CVX-18 came stock with the gold-flake and plush interior. While it may look dated today, this interior was the cream of the crop when it arrived in the 1970's. 

The predecessor to the CVX-18 came out in 1972 when Glastron Carlson introduced the CV-16 outboard, CV-16SS sterndrive, CV-19 outboard, CV-19SS jet or sterndrive, and CV-21 jet models. These early CV's featured the classic Glastron C-shaped graphics and came in blue, gold, and green metal flake color schemes.

By 1979 Glastron Carlson was in their 3rd year of producing the CVX-18 and offered it in two color choices, Champaign with Beige or Silver with Gray. The engine options were between a 898 Mercruiser or a 230 OMC. Both engines were based on the GM 305 V8.  ​