Facts about Evinrude/Johnson racing outboards made my OMC

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Johnson GT 115 - 1967/68.

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[2us70]

I still believe that the boat that won the single engine outboard class in the 1966 Orange Bowl 9 Hour race was powered by a prototype of that motor. Before that race I had never seen a competitive OMC like that. Then the next year those motors came out. These motors were I class motors. J class was still a year or two in the future.

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Dan Umbarger

This is my X 115/Hustler tunnel I raced in the UI class 1970-73.

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The Long Enduring Evinrude Speeditwin


In 1927, the Evinrude Motor Company announced the “Sensationally Improved” 8hp SPEEDITWIN – a significant advancement over its predecessor, the 4hp BIG TWIN. In a short period of rapid development, the Speeditwin would grow to 16hp, then 20hp and 22hp by 1930. The Speeditwin evolved over the years and became a mainstay in the Evinrude Motors line-up until 1949 - a remarkable 22-years. Rare at a time, when outboard design was evolving at an ever-increasing pace. Over those years, it earned a reputation as a ‘workhorse’ motor for everything from speedy runabouts to hard-core commercial applications. The 1950 model year, however, was its final year. By 1951, the era of exposed powerhead motors had become a relic of the past and all powerheads for Evinrude (and Johnson) were now shrouded and styling was more streamlined. (Photo – 1950 catalog page.)



Roy Rogers, born Leonard Franklin Slye, was an American actor, singer, television host, and rodeo performer who earned the nickname "King of the Cowboys". From the late 1930s to the mid-1950s, he was a major Western movie star, appearing in around 90 films and over 100 episodes of a weekly TV show. His films were known for their strong musical content, often featuring Rogers and his third wife, Dale Evans, along with the Sons of the Pioneers. (November 5, 1911 – July 6, 1998)

[lars strom]

Peter Switzer

1956 having fun on Pistakee Lake.

The Switzer family is doing a photo shoot with three new models for 1956. Top left is a Fleetwood, to the right is a Lighting and front and center is a Shooting Star.

Carol Switzer is on the dock, Don Arvidson is water skiing, Jerry Marunde is driving the boat, Marlene Arvidson Marunde is in the other boat cheering her husband Jerry on. Bob is holding some skis waiting his turn. Fun times!

The Switzer’s Grandparents had this cottage on Pistakee Lake in the 30’s. After WWII, the family moved from Chicago into the three season cottage and lived there year round with a hand pump well in the kitchen and just a cast iron stove to heat the home. There was no running water.

It is where Switzer Craft got its start.

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Thanks Jim Gifford.

Couple pics of Jims 23 in the 90’s.

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Ralph Evinrude and Frances Langford pose from inside a small boat in a marina. The couple married shortly before this photo was taken in October of 1955. After their wedding, the couple participated in a "Boat-a-cade" from Kissimmee to Okeechobee.

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Dario Grassini

UIM OE-F3

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Striking Evinrude Lark Custom


If you’ve been around outboards for long enough you’ve no doubt seen a number of “personalized” outboards - which, unfortunately, are usually poorly done. Let’s face it, most of us are not as talented as Brooks Stevens, Evinrude’s contract stylist. Except, maybe, for Chris Roach who created this custom cowl for his 1972 Lark. I think even Brooks would agree that this custom is beautifully crafted with its professionally executed stainless inserts.

The First Loop Charged Outboards - In 1968, Evinrude (and Johnson) made industry history with the introduction of their 55Hp, 3-cylinder loop charged outboards. The 3-cylinder motor increased to 60hp in 1970 while a new 2-cylinder, 50hp motor was introduced in 1971.

(1972 Evinrude Looper ad in photo.)

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JOHNSON SEA-HORSE FAN, JOHNNY WEISSMULLER


Best remembered for his film roles as Tarzan, he’s shown here next to his speed boat TARZAN powered by a 1933 Johnson Sea-Horse P-65 opposed twin-cylinder outboard. Speedy for the time, the 29.92 cu.in. P-65 produced 21.4 hp and sold for $226.50.



WEISSMULLER - In addition to his acting roles, he was also one of the fastest swimmers in the world and won five Olympic gold medals in swimming and a silver medal in water polo. He set more than 51 world records and won more than 50 US National Championships. He played Tarzan in an impressive 12 films, beginning with the 1932 smash hit Tarzan the Ape Man.



CHEETAH (upper right) acted as Tarzan’s comic chimpanzee sidekick appearing along side Weissmuller in “Tarzan and His Mate.” Cheetah reportedly lived to 80 years, quite remarkable for a chimp.

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[Amberjack1234]

my father was a big fan of the Kissimmee boat decade back in the late 50s through the 60s and used to take us on the river run several times throughout that period. I always stopped at River Ranch and had a big party there

[WaterZebra]

Is this a tariff related ad from the 1970s?!