We have come a long way with outboard motors from the 18 HP, 1928 Elto-Quad to the 350 HP Mercury. Motors of yesteryear looked, well, odd for the most part. But, you have to start somewhere.
Let’s take a little walk down memory lane with a few past models and see how we got here.
The 1928 Elto Quad
The 1928 Elto Quad was the first production four-cylinder outboard. Displacement was just under 40 cubic inches and horsepower was rated at 18. The ignition was powered by a six-volt battery and was claimed it would start “with just a quarter turn of the fly wheel.” As with most battery ignition Eltos, the Quad could be started backwards, either intentionally (for docking) or accidentally.
The 1950 Evinrude Speeditwin was built by Stan McDonald of Ottawa, Ontario, an outboard racer and race motor builder. Starting with a stock 22 HP Evinrude service motor, Stan made a number of modifications, many of which he designed and built himself. This motor was actively raced into the 1960’s.
1950 Evinrude Speeditwin
Hitting the market in 1939 was the Johnson MS39. The motor, built in the pre-war period, when Johnson was focusing on smaller fishing motors. The 1 HP MS39 was their smallest motor in 1939. Unusual in that its tank was a carved piece of brass tubing. This light, inexpensive motor was popular with price-conscious public still recovering from the Great Depression.
The 1928 Johnson K45 was a 10 HP Sea Horse. The motor was purchased new with the Penn Yan Playmate which I have no idea about what that is.
1928 Johnson K45
The biggest outdoor of its day was the 1959 Mercury 78A. The “hoss” was a six cylinder, 70 HP engine which was a successful seller. Called “direct-reversing”, this model lacked a neutral gear so the powerhead would be started backward to effect reverse.
The 1955-59 Elgin motor was manufactured by West Bend, sold by Sears Roebuck, represented some of
1939 Johnson MS39
the best and most advanced outboards sold by any catalog house in the 1950s. Models were made in ranges of 2 to 40 HP. All the 1955-1959 motors use a flexible vane impeller in the lower unit.
1958 Mercury Mark 58 Thunderbolt four cylinder was 45/50 HP. These models were produced in “Cavalry Brown” & “Sand Tan,” “Burgundy” & “Sand Tan,” “Sandalwood” & “Sand Tan,” “Matador” & “Sand Tan,” “Buckskin Beige” & “Sand Tan,” and all “Charcoal.”
Hope you enjoyed the trip.
I have an old engine similar to the 39′ Johnson, has a 1 pint gas tank mounted. 1 cylinder, I believe it is 9/10 of 1 HP, needing a coil if anyone can assist. Lot of memories, started fishing with my Dad in a wooden boat, bout 4-5 year of age. He tied a rope to me in case of man overboard.
Boat was plank board, probably 3/4 pine, this little engine did us well
January 16th, 2015