How Many 1962 Evinrude Lark IV 40 HP Outboard Motors Were Built?
Determining the precise number of 1962 Evinrude Lark IV 40 HP outboard motors manufactured is unfortunately impossible. Outboard motor manufacturers from that era didn't meticulously record production numbers in the same way modern companies do. Detailed production records, if they ever existed, are likely lost to time.
However, we can explore avenues to gain a better understanding of the production volume:
Where to Look for Clues (Though Definitive Numbers Are Unlikely):
-
Evinrude/OMC Historical Societies and Forums: Dedicated enthusiasts and collectors often congregate in online forums and clubs focused on vintage Outboard Motors. These communities may possess anecdotal information or scattered records that offer some insight into production volume. While you won't find an exact figure, collective knowledge from owners and restorers might provide a sense of rarity or prevalence.
-
Original Sales Brochures and Manuals: These documents may contain subtle hints. While unlikely to state specific production numbers, they could reveal production scale through phrases like "thousands sold" or similar, albeit vaguely.
-
Auction and Sales Data: Examining historical sales records from auctions specializing in vintage boats and motors might give a relative sense of how frequently these engines appear on the market, indirectly suggesting their original abundance. A consistent scarcity would imply a lower production run.
-
Museum Archives: Larger maritime museums or those specifically dedicated to outboard motor history might possess archival data that could shed some light, though it's not a guaranteed source.
Factors Affecting Production Numbers:
Several factors contributed to the lack of precise production records and make pinpointing the number challenging:
-
Business Practices of the Era: Record-keeping wasn't as standardized or comprehensive in the 1960s as it is today.
-
Model Variations: The "1962 Evinrude Lark IV 40 HP" might encompass several minor internal variations or configurations, making it difficult to track a single, exact number across all variants.
-
Lost Records: Simple data loss due to time, fires, or company restructuring over the decades renders finding precise figures almost improbable.
Why the Exact Number Remains Elusive:
Ultimately, the lack of central, readily accessible production records for vintage outboard motors like the 1962 Evinrude Lark IV 40 HP makes determining the precise number of units manufactured practically impossible. Any attempts to provide a specific number would be pure speculation. The best approach is to rely on the indirect methods described above to gain a more informed, albeit still inexact, understanding.
