Oliver Outboard Models and Manuals

Jump to: Manual Directory | Service Manuals | Owner/Parts Catalogs

Boat Motor Owner Operation, Workshop Service, Repair and Parts Manuals Directory

Chris Craft / Oliver / Perkins Outboard Model Identification

Outboard brand names through ownership and production changes:

• Chris Craft (Challenger and Commander) 1949-1953
  • 1954 Chris Craft agrees to sell outboards sector to Oliver
• Oliver (J-Challenger, K-Commander, B2-Olympus) 1955-1959
  • 1959 Oliver agrees to sell outboard sector to Perkins
• Perkins Outboards (4.5, 6.5, 18, 30, 40 hp) 1961-1963
  • 1964 Perkins agrees to sell outboard sector to British Anzani

Outboard History: from Chris Craft to Oliver to Perkins

The Oliver Corporation entered the outboard motor market upon acquiring the equipment, tooling, and production rights of Chris Craft Outboard Motors in 1954.

Chris Craft's Challenger 5.5hp and Commander 10hp outboard production ran from 1949-1953 with the sale of Chris Craft's outboard sector being sold off to Oliver in 1954.

The Oliver Corporation purchased Chris Craft's outboard tooling in 1954 and set to work improving and modernizing designs and tooling for Oliver's Outboards which debuted in 1955 with the "J" Challenger 5 1/2hp and "K" Commander 15hp. The second year of production (1956) saw a lot of changes and refinements in the design, casting and manufacturing which brought Oliver's products up to compete with the quality of their competition. In 1957 a 35hp electric start Olympus model motor (incorporating George Martin's patented poppet intake valves) went on-sale as their flagship model, the 15hp was upgraded to 16hp, and at some point the 5-1/2 became a 6hp.

Oliver motors were also sold in 1958 through Western Auto Stores as Wizard Outboard Motors. The flagship model 35hp was even being offered in 1959 as a factory twin outboard setup with counter-rotating propellers.

In 1959 an agreement for the purchase of Oliver's outboard sector by British engine maker Perkins was reached, and outboard motor production was moved to the UK discontinuing sales of Oliver outboards in the United States as of May 1960. In 1964 the Perkins outboard motor sector is sold to British Anzani where outboards show up in Europe under different brand names thru mid 1960's.

Oliver Outboard Motors
Division of The Oliver Corporation
136 S. McCamly Rd.
Battle Creek, Michigan

USA Models: 1955 to 1960 Oliver 5.5/6hp, 15/16hp, & 35hp models "J", "K", & "B"

Oliver Outboard Boat Motor Resources

• Chris Craft/Oliver/Perkins Outboard Parts - on ebay
• Chris Craft/Oliver/Perkins Outboard History
• Oliver Advertisements / Compared
• Oliver Outboard Group on Facebook
• Oliver Outboards - Service Bulletins 95 pages .pdf
• Oliver Press Photos

Oliver Outboard Manual Directory

Sorted by Model Year:

Service Manual Selection Guide

Service and Repair Manuals

Oliver Outboard Motor Manual Listings

Unlinked manuals unavailable - submit a copy for credit: contact us

Owner Operating Instructions / Parts Lists

Oliver Outboard Owner/Parts Manuals

"Sorted by Year" | HP = Horsepower | Model # | Manual ID | Manual Type