Facts about Evinrude/Johnson racing outboards made my OMC

**lars strom** · 10-17-2020, 11:30 AM

Well..yes but not really. The test center was not very important anymore. Not used at all the way OMC did.

The bigger problem for the Evinrude brand name is BRP still owns it..!!

**lars strom** · 10-18-2020, 09:10 AM

@Rotary John
Is this correct ??

Click image for larger version.

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**FMP** · 10-18-2020, 09:52 AM

Originally Posted by lars strom

Well..yes but not really. The test center was not very important anymore. Not used at all the way OMC did.

The bigger problem for the Evinrude brand name is BRP still owns it..!!

Possibly more along the lines of who is on board of directors and affiliates.

**Rotary John** · 10-18-2020, 01:44 PM

Originally Posted by lars strom

@Rotary John
Is this correct ??

Not that I'm aware of. Never happened when I was there and I don't remember ever running rotaries on Lake Powell.

**Rotary John** · 10-18-2020, 01:45 PM

Originally Posted by lars strom

Well..yes but not really. The test center was not very important anymore. Not used at all the way OMC did.

The bigger problem for the Evinrude brand name is BRP still owns it..!!

You forgot to mention, they own the Johnson Outboard name also.

**lars strom** · 10-18-2020, 03:10 PM

Originally Posted by Rotary John

You forgot to mention, they own the Johnson Outboard name also.

Yes, you are correct. BRP never cared for the Johnson brand but still a very big name in the outboard business.
Thanks for your input about the rotary/lake Powell.

**WaterZebra** · 10-18-2020, 03:29 PM

Originally Posted by lars strom

Yes, you are correct. BRP never cared for the Johnson brand but still a very big name in the outboard business.
Thanks for your input about the rotary/lake Powell.

When did the two brands merge to begin with? I know I have a book about OMC somewhere? I'm surprised that the Johnson line even survived past the 1960's?

**lars strom** · 10-18-2020, 07:45 PM

@WaterZebra

Johnson was part of OMC for many many years. Dont remember exactly from what year but Johnson outsold Evinrude most years.

**keith scotton** · 10-18-2020, 08:39 PM

Steve Briggs the boss of OMMC took over on 9-30-1936.

**lars strom** · 10-19-2020, 09:21 AM

Johnson and Evinrude had different manufacturing plants until about 1982 when things consolidated in Waukegan.
They were different motors until the early to mid '50s when they were the same except for styling and that the 18 hp remained for years even as Johnson's 18 became a 20hp. per Ralph Evinrude - he thought the Evinrude 18 a classic.
For 1999 Johnson and Evinrude became different motors and when Bombardier took over in 2001, they were different again until the Johnson was discontinued in 2007.

**lars strom** · 10-19-2020, 10:37 AM

I got this picture from David Haman.
David was one of the OMC people developing the SST-45 engine.
He was also the man in charge at the Evinrude Test Center in Stuart up to BRP closed down Evinrude in May 2020..
A very good friend of mine.

This is the comment David wrote yesterday about the picture from Three Rivers Regatta 1983.
Thanks David.

"Hi Lars,I agree, it's a great picture of you and your boat.
I just got lucky with the camera, as so much of the photo turned out good ;
- Good focus, you can easily read the notations on your boat, ie - "World Champion F3"

- No other boats in the shot, so not distracted from viewing the beauty of your rig
- Excellent boat attitude, perfect trim, and the boat is hardly even touching the water
- Great crowd and Pittsburgh fountain(s) in the background
And, if you look real close, I think you can see the smile on your face "

**lars strom** · 10-19-2020, 01:35 PM

More from David Haman,
(thanks)

"This image is a stop-motion screenshot from a 1983 F1 V8 promotional video. There is a portion of the video where they show and talk about you. Very cool !!!"

**Rotary John** · 10-19-2020, 03:21 PM

Originally Posted by lars strom

Johnson and Evinrude had different manufacturing plants until about 1982 when things consolidated in Waukegan.
They were different motors until the early to mid '50s when they were the same except for styling and that the 18 hp remained for years even as Johnson's 18 became a 20hp. per Ralph Evinrude - he thought the Evinrude 18 a classic.
For 1999 Johnson and Evinrude became different motors and when Bombardier took over in 2001, they were different again until the Johnson was discontinued in 2007.

While you are correct the Waukegan plant was called Johnson and the Milwaukee plant was called Evinrude. However, If I remember correctly the large engines were made in the Johnson Plant and the small engines were made in the Evinrude plant. The only difference between the two were the color of the paint and the shroud decals.