Evinrude Strangler

[wiscoboater]

So I came across a 1974 Evinrude strangler 135 today. I guess you could call it a "barn find" except it was more of a storage building. Has been in there for over 20 years according to the seller, and the 1/4" of dust and grime on it would seem to support that. There was no electricity to the building as it is to be torn down soon. It was very dark and I could really only look it over with the light from my phone. The motor looks ok under hood and I could spin it by hand with the flywheel but had no way to really test the compression. Had a good bounce when turning it and looked like the parts were all there. I have never seen a strangler in person before so I know not much about them. The guy wants $400 for it. Seem reasonable for an original Strangler? It’s a big shot in the dark as far as mechanical condition I know, but I love the V4’s. What made the Strangler different from the standard 135’s? Are they really anything more then a decal package in 1974?

[beerman57]

I would jump on it if I was in your place, a real Strangler is a little hot rod. There was one in the Antique Outboarder about a year or 18 months ago. I think if Dan in Tenn. sees this, he can tell us more. I probably still have the issue it was in, I’ll look for it.

[chris-p]

They had all sorts of fancy names in the 70s, the 135hp Strangler, The 70hp Hustler, and the 50hp Sizzler! the consumer versions of the Strangler were pretty much the same as the standard 135hp, with different cosmetics/paint and usually the name/hp on the top of the leg in decal form. Most of these had the blue/white paint jobs.

The consumer Strangler was available in both ’74 and ’75

It will have a stock 20" shaft with no power trim that was an option.

The race strangler or super strangler were totally different beasts altogether.

[kerry]

It is a stocker with paint/decals, but its pretty hot for a stocker. If you get it, (recommended) use 89 octane or better gas and quality oil a bit richer than the 50:1 listed. http://www.boatinfo.no/lib/evinrude/bro … e.html#/16

If you have too many, AND not enough, you're a collector.

[chris-p]

Good deal for even a consumer version 135hp Strangler.

If it the Race Strangler, or better yet, the Super Strangler, get out of your pjs and go get it right now! lol

[Casey Lynn]

If I were in your shoes it would be in the back of my truck………………..

[beerman57]

That’s right, I forgot about the Super Strangler. Look in the July 2015 Outboarder.

[Michael Anfossi]

What color is it? I think the consumer one was blue and white.
The race strangler was a goldish color
The race super strangler was blue with white cover and blue and red stripes.
If it is either of the race motors, i have one of each and can tell you a bit on those

[wiscoboater]

The motor is blue and white, it has the 135 strangler lettering below the motor pan on the leg. Also says strangler on the front of the hood. The gear case was blue as well. The motor is buried way in the back of this old storage shed. It’s one of those metal buildings that is made of corrugated steel and is a half circle. Remember the barracks Gomer Pyle lived in..it looks like that. Any way, there’s a bunch of old farm equipment and old tractors in the front and an old ford pinto sunk into the floor thats in the way of getting it out right now. Everything has a nice coating of pigeon and raccoon poo as well. I’m going back there Sunday after he gets some of the other stuff dragged out of the way. I need another V4 like I need a hole in the head right now but this one definitely needs to be saved. Thing is I picked up a blue metalflake Glastron Carlson a few weeks back and this motor would look awesome hanging off the back.

[John Schubert]

I’ll take it if you don’t want it. I raced both the Strangler & Super Strangler for OMC

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