Champion DeLuxe Lite Twin

[Jen2487]

I am brand new to this forum and am hoping that someone might be able to help me out by providing some information.

We’re attempting to do some barn cleanout at my late grandparents’ farm and have uncovered a Champion DeLuxe Lite Twin outboard motor that my grandfather purchased brand new in the late 1940s. According to my mother’s memory, my grandfather only used it for a few years before life got too busy for him to go out fishing anymore and the motor was stored in the garage in the early/mid 1950s. It’s been there untouched ever since! Based on some research I’ve been able to determine the model but not sure how to narrow down what year it was made or even how much it might be worth. As far as we know it was in working order when it was stored.

Is there anyone who might be able to tell me what year it was made and it’s potential value?

Thank you in advance for any help you can offer! 🙂
~Jennifer in east Texas

[seakaye12]

Hi,

According to a Champion Model List the Model 4k was manufactured beginning in 1948 and carrying thru until 1951 or so.  Hard to pinpoint value on your motor.  Knowing for sure if it is in good running condition would be the first step.

Champion motors of that vintage are not particularly rare;  they were mass-produced.  Value is generally “what someone will pay”.  Lets see what others have to say.

I wish the attached image was of better quality.  That’s all I can find right now.

[Jen2487]

I saw that same chart on another post and it looked like the 4Ks were produced in both 1948 and 1949. That’s why I was curious to see if the manufacturing year could be determined further based off of the serial number, perhaps? I guess I’ll just have to see if I can find a repair shop somewhere nearby who can take a look at it to determine it’s running (or not) condition. At least I now know it’s not a “hidden gem”! Thanks for taking the time to reply. 🙂

[seakaye12]

Jennifer I don’t think knowing the exact year of production would mean much for the value.  I have been looking recently for reference that pinpoints serial number to year and have come up empty so far.  Not a whole lot of information on the Champions it seems.

There’s a Texas Chapter;  maybe you can take the motor to one of their meets and see if someone would be willing to look it over with you.  Have a look at “Active Chapters” found below the “ABOUT” menu tab above…..

[outbdnut2]

There is a “Champion Outboard Motors” facebook group (link below) that may be able to help you with the year, but as has already been said, the 4K was made from 1948-1951 and they were pretty much all the same.   They were good runners, and known to be fast for their 7.9 HP rating, as long as the boat and load was small enough to get planed off.   There are a lot of those around in Minnesota where I live, probably because they were made in Minneapolis, and later in a factory in a northern suburb of St. Paul.  In 1953, models replaced it that had a gearshift.  The 4K does pivot 360 degrees, so can be turned around to back up.  They do not command a high price.    It looks like it’s all there except for the high-speed carb knob (the cover over the spark plugs is often removed and thrown out – yours has it).    It does not look dented and dinged up.  A lot of them got dinged up bouncing around in the trunk of a car as people took them to lakes and rented a boat back then.  I would say if it is cleaned up and can be demonstrated running and cooling (could be running in a big bucket of water), it maybe worth $150.  Not shown running, but able to pull the starter rope and feel compression, it’s worth $50 to $75.  Prices vary around the country, so it may be worth a bit more outside of Minnesota and Wisconsin.  If it was the  “Hot Rod Special” racing version, it would be worth considerably more.  After sitting all those years, the water pump impeller is likely bad, as it’s a rubber part that goes bad with time whether it’s used or not.  Ignition coils and condensers likewise often go bad with age regardless of being used or not.  At the facebook group, you will be more likely to find a buyer if you are interested in selling – be sure to post a location, as outboard buyers usually don’t want to pay for expensive shipping.  Coils and impellers are getting scarce, but there are parts from other brand motors that can often be modified to fit.  It may start up and run with out much trouble, but I would be surprised if it cools.  If  you clean and shine it up, it could be a nostalgic family heirloom displayed in a rec-room or nice garage (maybe set grandpa’s hat on it) – and it wouldn’t have to run.  Here is a link to the facebook site:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/551675555554500

Dave

1 user thanked author for this post.

Jen2487

[Jen2487]

Thanks Dave! Greatly appreciate all of the info! 🙂

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