Corsair 7.5 Value

[loggerhead]

I’m currently restoring a ’53 7.5hp Corsair and although it is 95% complete, the opportunity to pick up a second Corsair, same year and horsepower has presented itself. Unfortunately the motor is 200 miles away and I really don’t know what kind of value to place on it considering the driving distance. The owner is asking $120 for it but I’m not willing to pay over $75 to make that kind of trip. Is it even worth that much? I know the Corsairs are pretty rare but not extinct.

[frankr]

I’ve done a lot worse. I have a lot more invested in motors than they are "worth". I think in the final end, it boils down to is it something you want?

[PugetSoundBoater]

quote FrankR:

I’ve done a lot worse. I have a lot more invested in motors than they are "worth". I think in the final end, it boils down to is it something you want?

I wish someone had sat me down and discussed this cost/value/time-labor-materials issue with me 25 motors ago , i think i got it figured out now though 😉

"Some people want to know how a watch works, others just want to know what time it is"
Robbie Robertson

[jeff-register]

It is a Scott At Water motor. I would be consearned about rusty gearcases as the seal on the driveshaft needs help, no stainless steel driveshaft is present

[green-thumbs]

I attend and buy/sell at outboard meets where other potential buyer/sellers also attend.
All parties are on equal footing and even if no deal is made there is good company
and good food. The temporary nature of a meet and the possibility of competition motivates
both buyers and sellers make their bargain.
Louis

[reivertom]

The only person that can answer your question is you. I’ve travelled too far and paid too much according to other folks for things before, but to me it wasn’t. It depends on if you think it’s worth it or not and other opinions really don’t matter! :^)

[thumper]

The motor is actually only worth 75 normally but I get it. I also love scotts, firestones and corsairs

[loggerhead]

I anticipated the responses, it’s just reassuring to know that I’m not the only propnut willing to spend as much on gas as the motor he’s going after 🙄 seems like the days of cheap vintage outboards have come and gone too, it’s getting hard to find a reasonable price on a decent motor much less a bargain on a parts motor so driving further seems to be out of necessity more than choice sometimes.

[loggerhead]

quote Thumper:

The motor is actually only worth 75 normally but I get it. I also love scotts, firestones and corsairs

They’re interesting motors Thumper, some pretty decent engineering represented throughout the entire manufacturing period of the Firestones and Corsairs and the ones that were maintained with any kind of routine seem to have held up as well as the competition from that era. It was actually a blessing in disguise that SA didn’t curse the Firestones and Corsairs with the "Fail a Matic" or there probably wouldn’t be as many of them around today. Yep, $75 is about right but I know me and if I get there and it’s above average, I’ll pay $100 but not over. The guy already said it doesn’t have spark so I’m sure coil replacement is in order.

[billw]

If you need the second motor because the first is missing parts, then you need it. If you don’t NEED anything on it, then you don’t need it. Look at me, being all helpful with someone else’s motor addiction, when I usually can’t help myself. Before you buy the second motor, realize that the hunt is half the fun and it’s over when the motor arrives home. I have four, count em’ FOUR, Scott Atwater 16s, three of them the exact same year (1956) and I am constantly asking myself why I did that…..But I would probably buy a fifth and drive 100 miles to get it. What I am saying here is be cautious of how the brain operates.

Long live American manufacturing!

[Author]

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