NOS 1943 Evinrude Big Four

[lou-q]

I’m thinking of selling some of my outboard motors and engines and in most cases I know the values more or less.
In the case of the 1943 NOS Evinrude Big Four 50 hp. that I’ve had in our living room for more than 15 years I don’t have a clue.
Any imput on a price estimate will be appreciated.
Thanks for a great forum,
Lou Q

[johnny-infl]

I keep having this recurring dream that when I die – – – –
my wife will sell all my toys for what I told her I paid for them !!!

[PM T2]

Items like that are too difficult to suggest a price, even as an estimate. I doubt that anybody could give you an estimate that would please everyone.

A big motor like that, there would be the detraction that it is so big and heavy that very few members would really be interested. The big four-cylinder antiques have their fans, but most of us are getting to an age where size and weight are the biggest considerations (after price) involved in buying a motor. Geographical location is often another consideration, and I don’t think anybody knows where you are located, so you will need to take that variable out of the equation.

One suggestion I will make is don’t listen to suggestions from people you know will never spend a nickel to buy it. If somebody tells you the motor is worth (for example) $500, then tells you THEY would never spend $500 on that motor, then the motor isn’t really worth what they said. If it was, they’d be willing to spend it. I won’t suggest a price figure because I wouldn’t be prepared to offer it.

Sorry, but you just have to ask for it what would make you happy to sell it for, and go from there. If somebody thinks its worth your asking price, it will get sold. If it doesn’t sell, then you have a decision to make on whether to maintain your price level or not. Really, all there is to it.

Hope this helps. eh.

best,
PM T2

He's livin' in his own private Idaho..... I hope to go out quietly in my sleep, like my grand-dad did..... and not screaming, like the passengers in his car...

[brian]

I’ve sold a lot of motors in the last 20 years. My goal has always been to thin the herd, lighten the load, etc. You could call my system the reverse of the typical auction. Prices go down instead of up. I used to haul a trailer load of motors to meets without any anticipation of what they are worth. Each time, my wallet got heavier and the trailer returned empty. What a relief that was! This has always been a hobby for me and I gauge my revenue/expenses using that guideline. My labor hours are only fun/hobby so they don’t count. There are some nice, somewhat hard to find motors I’ve put in circulation at prices many would say I sold too cheap. Some may find this strange but I actually feel good when someone buys a motor for less than they bargained for. Good luck to you.

[garry-in-michigan]

A true 1943 model would be a Olive Drab Storm boat motor. A high school friend of mine got one Army surplus in 1948. It came in a huge box in a storm boat. It even included the oars that allowed 4 to 6 men to carry it. Big Fours were Evinrudes way to get money back from the thousands they had when the government canceled the last contract for storm boat motors when Japan surrendered.

That said, Steve Woods bought three Big Fours from Doug Penn at our January swap meet. Doug had brought five to that meet. Steve ran one of those at our February meet. . . 😉

[Mumbles]

I don’t have a clue what a Big Four is worth but about twenty years ago I picked up a complete 8008 Storm Motor powerhead for under $200. It came from a business so it would have cost less on the street.

Here’s some video of club members having fun hauling the mail with their Big Fours. Watching them might give you second thoughts about selling your motor. Judging by Richards ear to ear smile, his hat must have blown off just before the video was taken! 😀

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxvZeSthZuQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PXkRHtUZoQI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iE3hoBHXBFc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XNYZLdmdxpo

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[garry-in-michigan]

According to Peter Hunn’s "the Old Outboard Book" a big Four goes for from $50 to $350 depending on condition. Big Fours with the 1950 Speedifour/Speeditwin gear case go for more. Condition is everything. . . . 😀

And my favorite — Steve Woods . . . 😆

[chris-p]

Lou,

As Chris stated, start with some pictures, and your geographic location. Cosmetic Condition is important. For me personally, more so than mechanical status. I personally don’t care if a motor runs, I prefer it doesn’t. That is the fun for me. BUt I like nice originals.

[RICHARD A. WHITE]

quote Mumbles:

I don’t have a clue what a Big Four is worth but about twenty years ago I picked up a complete 8008 Storm Motor powerhead for under $200. It came from a business so it would have cost less on the street.

Here’s some video of club members having fun hauling the mail with their Big Fours. Watching them might give you second thoughts about selling your motor. Judging by Richards ear to ear smile, his hat must have blown off just before the video was taken! 😀

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxvZeSthZuQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PXkRHtUZoQI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iE3hoBHXBFc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XNYZLdmdxpo

Was not wearing a hat…LOL and Scott Parrish and I each have a Big Four now, His is the pretty one in the picture, mine has yet to be gone thru to ensure long lasting life..

http://www.richardsoutboardtools.com
classicomctools@gmail.com

[melugin]

I have had probably three NOS war surplus Big Fours in the last 20 years and know of at least six others. Most of the military applications weren’t suitable for civilian use and lingered in storage for years, and still do. The original bipod transom mount would make the motor worth a little more if you had the original mounting brackets and pins. Or has the motor been converted to a civilian transom model?

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