1964 9.5 hp Johnson - should I sell or use it?

[antiquebill]

I just bought a really nice 1964 Johnson SeaHorse 9.5 short shaft motor from an estate a couple days ago. I took it over to a friends tonight, we tinkered with it a little bit, checked the plugs, fuel line, etc. Hooked it up to a new tank of gas and it started on the second pull and it appeared to run fine. The story is that it was bought and owned by a couple of bachelor brothers who took it a couple times to Minnesota some years ago but never used it after 1980. It has very little paint loss on the lower unit and prop and almost no wear showing on the upper paint and cowl.

I bought it to use for a kicker on a fishing boat but am wondering if maybe it would have more value to a collector. I have the instruction book, warranty card, 6 gal Johnson gas tank as well. I have to think the brothers continued to maintain the motor even though they didn't use it, all their other stuff appeared to have been really well taken care of. I can't believe that there are too many 45-year-old motors that are in better original condition than this one appears to be. What should I do? Thanks, Bill

 

[Lion hunter]

Re: 1964 9.5 hp Johnson - should I sell or use it?

You'd be amazed at the number of them out there. It's really not a collectors item unless it was new and never ran.

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: 1964 9.5 hp Johnson - should I sell or use it?

Not much demand and plentiful supply, I just recently picked up a 1956 five&half evinrude in mint condition, I've already mounted it and been out fishing.

 

[Whoopbass]

Re: 1964 9.5 hp Johnson - should I sell or use it?

Not so much a collectors item but it would probably sell for $400-$500 on Ebay.