It
seems that K&O and Fleetline (same company) were the leader in the field of
TOY outboards, as they were the only manufacturer to get
permission to use the real outboard names on the motors.
The motors were to real outboards what promos were to
real cars. The prices ranged from $4.95 in 1953 to about
$6.95 in 1962. They were pretty expensive toys for the
times. In 1953, only a Johnson was made. In 1954 they also made an Evinrude. From 1955 to 1958 almost every real outboard
was copied, with changes each year, just like the real
ones. The early motors are the most common, with the 1960
to 1962 models being rare, as the company made fewer
models and fewer total, the space toys of the period were
blamed for the declining popularity and sales. The
company changed hands, and was renamed Craftmaster. The motors they made were all plastic, and not
nearly as nice as the diecast K&O ones. All the boats sold with the motors were
not nearly as detailed as the motors, and not exactly to
scale, so most current collectors are not interested in
the boats. The prices currently run in the $50.00 to
$7,000.00 range depending on rarity and condition.
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