Outboard motors have been manufactured and put to use for more than 100 years. Therefore, it is no surprise that a number of people have become interested in collecting, restoring and operating antique outboards.

The interest became so widespread that by 1960, antique outboard collectors began to correspond with one another. In October of 1965, five collectors planned and organized "The Antique Outboard Motor Club".

In January of 1966, the first issue of "The Antique Outboarder" was printed. Thirty copies were mailed to members. By October of 1966, membership had increased to more than 200 people in several countries.

The growth of the National Club and Local Chapters continues with current total membership now in the area of 3,000 dedicated members located in 14 different countries worldwide.

A number of antique outboarders are "old-timers" who are motor and boating enthusiasts of long standing, or who have been involved in the manufacture of outboards. Other members collect, restore and operate old outboards - with a few members owning several hundred! Collecting is fun and exciting; some of these outboards are 5-cylinder, radial engine, tractor lower units, underwater engine, air drive units and folding motors - all were forerunners of modern outboards and several of the 'old' technologies are now mainstay features (4-stroke combustion, rewind or electric starting, underwater exhaust, separate fuel tank, etc.) on all new outboard engines.

Find out more at: http://www.aomci.org/