1944 Johnson POLR-15 Outboard

[wcsd106]

Hello All,

I have had a 1944 Johnson POLR-15 outboard in my garage for a number of years now. It is in good condition but is missing the prop. I have never tried to start it, but it does rotate freely and has good compression. I would assume that with a little TLC this could be a good running engine, but I have always figured it as more of a collector's piece than an actual outboard that I'd put on a boat.

However, it is taking up a lot of valuable garage space and I believe I have decided to sell it. I am having a hard time coming up with any information on this outboard and was hoping that someone here could help me fill in some missing parts:

• Exactly how rare is this outboard
• What is the approximate value of this outboard
• Should I make an attempt to start it, or simply leave it alone for collectors purposes

Thanks in advance for any information you can provide. If needed, I would be happy to post some pictures of the unit to assist with my questions.

 

[steelespike]

Re: 1944 Johnson POLR-15 Outboard

I can't be too specific 1944 is a war year so it may be a military issue. I'm guessing more rare than a civilian production.
A PO15 is a 22hp.
Value depends on the completeness and of course the condition. You might check Ebay for similar motors. Hit the local flea markets.
I bought a similar PO38 that appeared to have good compression for $75 about 10 or 15 years ago.
If it ran you could get more money for it.
You could check for spark and compression.

 

[wcsd106]

Re: 1944 Johnson POLR-15 Outboard

I can't be too specific 1944 is a war year so it may be a military issue. I'm guessing more rare than a civilian production.
A PO15 is a 22hp.
Value depends on the completeness and of course the condition. You might check Ebay for similar motors. Hit the local flea markets.
I bought a similar PO38 that appeared to have good compression for $75 about 10 or 15 years ago.
If it ran you could get more money for it.
You could check for spark and compression.

Thanks for the reply. I've been conversing with an individual on eBay who has one similar, but with a prop, listed for $500.. This thing is taking up a ton of room in the garage and I think I'm going to probably sell it, but I didn't want to let it go if I was sitting on a gold mine.

 

[82rude]

Re: 1944 Johnson POLR-15 Outboard

a few years ago i bought this 22.5 hp evinrude for 90 dollars .1939 and runs fine.

 

[steelespike]

Re: 1944 Johnson POLR-15 Outboard

I'm sure no expert but I think a complete,running 39 Evinrude is probably the exception at $90 but also I
think you certainly wouldn't expect any more than that for your motor in the unknown condition it is now.
There is the possibility that it is a military issue that may be at a premium.
What kind of interest has the one on eBay generated? Is it a buy it now or auction?Is it said to run,Good compression?Is it complete?
Sometimes people think they have a treasure.
There is a completely mundane 53 Packard on eBay right now with a $20,000 buy it now when there are a number of exceptional Packards listed in the 10,000 to 15,000 range buy it now on the same page.

 

[82rude]

Re: 1944 Johnson POLR-15 Outboard

steelespike.being that the poster said 1944 and maybe mil.would that make it rare?didnt the u.s.a. produce a billion of them then??would it not in fact be pretty common for that year?

 

[steelespike]

Re: 1944 Johnson POLR-15 Outboard

Actually I did mention it could be military issue.
Rarity doesn't necessarily mean more value. Its more likely
to have more value for militaria collectors, regardless of the numbers produced.
The PO15 and its close cousins were produced for over 9 years. The war production
was probably 4 years.