Oliver Outboard Models and Manuals

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Chris Craft / Oliver / Perkins / Rootes Marine Outboard 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, B-Olympus) 1955-1960
  • 1959 Oliver agrees to sell outboard sector to Perkins
• Perkins (1959-1961 = 6, 16, 35, 40 hp) (1962-1964 = 4.5, 6.5, 18, 30, 40 hp)
  • 1962 Perkins agrees to sell outboard sector to Rootes Marine
• Rootes Marine (1962-1964 = 4.5, 6.5, 18, 30, 40 hp)
  • 1964 Rootes 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/Rootes Outboard Parts - on ebay
• Chris Craft/Oliver/Perkins/Rootes Outboard History
• Oliver Advertisements / Compared
• Oliver Outboard Group on Facebook
• Oliver Outboards - Service Bulletins 95 pages .pdf
• Oliver Press Photos

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Oliver Outboard Owner/Parts Manuals

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