Aristo-Craft Motors

Manufacture Date Range: Mid-Late 1950’s

Outboards | Inboards

  • This motor is named "Large" due to the branding on the box. The box for this motor is very rare and the style is only seen in the first two models for the Aristo-Craft line, the Large and Small. This motor is the exact same style and construction as the Special Type IMP motors. The Aristo-Craft version has the light blue cowl and the Aristo-Craft branded read badge. This motor is far more rare than any of the Special Type IMP motors, but is not the rarest Aristo-craft motor. This remains a seldom seen and fairly unknown motor to many collectors. The box shows a blue and white monotone drawing of the motor in 3/4 view. Unique tan box with white green and blue paper strip on cover and one side. This box was only available with the "Large" and "Small" motors.

    Notable Traits:

    • About 1:9 scale 4.75” tall

    • IMP-Style Motor

    • Semi-rare

    • Largly unkown motor

    • Never sold with a stand included

    • Manufacturer: Sakai Seisakusho

    • Brand: Aristo-Craft

    • MetalProduction Years: Early-mid 1950's

    Rarity: 4/5 with box: 4.5/5
    Desirability: 3/5 with box: 4/5
    Value: 3/5 with box: 4.5/5

  • The Model No. 2 is the first of the numbered models in the Aristo-Craft line. There is no Model No. 1. This is the exact same style motor as the K&O "Mercury" with a lighter blue cowl and Aristo-Craft rear badging. This motor is much rarer than the K&O version. The box for this motor is extremely rare and often in very poor condition. This remains a seldom seen and fairly unknown motor to many collectors. The box shows a blue and white monotone drawing of the IMP-style motor in 3/4 view. As with the "Large" version motor, this one is a unique tan box with white green and blue paper strip on cover and one side. The box was only available with the "Large" and "Small" motors.

    Notable Traits:

    • About 1:9 scale 4” tall

    • Style Motor as the early K&O "Mercury"

    • Semi-rare

    • Often confused with the K&O version

    • First numbered model Aristo-Craft

    • Never sold with a stand included

    • Manufacturer: Sakai Seisakusho

    • Brand: Aristo-Craft

    • MetalProduction Years: Early 1950's

    Rarity: 4/5 with box: 4.5/5
    Desirability: 3/5 with box: 3.5/5
    Value: 3/5 with box: 3.5/5

Model No. 3 (Small)

  • The Model No. 3 is the exact same motor as the K&O 100A. This model has no badging or decals. The Aristo-Craft motor is rarer than the K&O version but, both of these motors are usually mixed up or confused by collectors. The box for this motor shows the rebranded style of a bright yellow box with red and black graphics. The box shows a red cowl version of this motor in profile but, no red version of this motor was made.

    Notable Traits:

    • About 1:9 scale 3.75” tall

    • Exact same motor as the K&O 100A

    • Unknown rarity due to identical look of K&O 100A

    • Never sold with a stand included

    • Manufacturer: Sakai Seisakusho

    • Brand: Aristo-Craft

    • MetalProduction Years: Early 1950's

    Rarity: 2/5 with box: 2.5/5
    Desirability: 2/5 with box: 2.5/5
    Value: 2/5 with box: 2.5/5

Model No. 3 (Large)

  • The Model No. 3 “Large” is the exact same motor as seen in the I.M.P. manufactured “Special Type” motor for the Western Import Company (W.I.C). This style of motor is also seen branded as a “Triumph”. The Aristo-Craft version has no badging or branding. The motor is often mixed up or confused by collectors and unless you have a branded version or the original box, it’s hard to tell one from another. These motors came with a tiller handle located in front just below the cowl. The tiller handles are often missing and can be very hard to source. The box for this motor shows a black and white graphic of the motor on a bright yellow box with red and black text. This motor was available with a white stand on a heart shaped base.

    Notable Traits:

    • About 1:9 scale 5” tall

    • Exact same motor as sold by I.M.P. and imported by W.I.C.

    • Unknown rarity due to identical look as other branded motors

    • Sold with a rare plastic stand on heart shaped base

    • Manufacturer: Sakai Seisakusho

    • Brand: Aristo-Craft

    • MetalProduction Years: Early 1950's

    Rarity: 1.5/5 with box: 2.5/5
    Desirability: 1.5/5 with box: 2/5
    Value: 1.5/5 with box: 2/5

  • The Model No. 5 red and white version is a confusing motor as this exact motor was used across multiple brands. The only way to decipher the Aristo-Craft version of this motor is with the box. The Aristo-Craft version comes in the bright yellow box with red and black graphics. The box shows a black and white (grayscale) profile of the motor and is one of the more common Aristo-craft boxes. This is one of the most common Aristo-craft motors but, due to this motors exact duplication over multiple brands, the exact rarity is an unknown factor. This motor was originally sold in a very similar box as the red and gray version but, this box doesn’t mention having a stand included. The red top and white lower, came without a white plastic stand. The red top and gray lower version of this motor came with a white plastic stand on a heart-shaped base. Only Aristo-Craft motors were available with this heart-shaped style stand.

    Notable Traits:

    • About 1:9 scale 4” tall

    • Same motor was used across multiple brands

    • Most common Aristo-Craft motor

    • This motor was sold without the white plastic stand.

    • Original box for this version does not mention having a stand included

    • Unknown rarity due to the same motor being used across multiple brands

    • Manufacturer: Sakai Seisakusho

    • Brand: Aristo-Craft

    • MetalProduction Years: Mid 1950's

    Rarity: Unknown with box: 1.5/5
    Desirability: 1/5 with box: 1.5/5
    Value: 1/5 with box: 1.5/5

  • The Model No. 9 is the next motor after No. 5. There are no Models 6, 7 or 8 in the Aristo-Craft line. This motor is identical in color and shape to a Mermaid branded version. The motor carries Aristo-Craft decals on both sides of the cowl and comes in a bright yellow box with red and black graphics. The box shows a black and white (grayscale) 3/4 image of the motor.

    Notable Traits:

    • About 1:9 scale 4.5” tall

    • Mermaid-Style Motor

    • Semi-rare

    • Never sold with a stand included

    • Largely unknown motor in the Aristo-Craft branding

    • Manufacturer: Sakai Seisakusho

    • Brand: Aristo-Craft

    • MetalProduction Years: Mid 1950's

    Rarity: 3/5 with box: 3.5/5
    Desirability: 3/5 with box: 3.5/5
    Value: 3/5 with box: 3.5/5

  • The Model No. 5 red and gray version is a very similar motor as the red and white version with only difference being the lower color. This version came with a slightly different box. Th box for this motor is the similar bright yellow box with red and black graphics and an added line of text on the cover “Sturdy Display Stand Included”. The box shows a black and white (grayscale) profile of the motor and is one of the rarer Aristo-craft boxes. This version is rarer than the red and white motor but, the exact rarity is still an unknown factor. The stand for this motor is a white plastic stand on a heart-shaped base. Only Aristo-Craft motors were available with this heart-shaped style stand.

    Notable Traits:

    • About 1:9 scale 4” tall

    • Similar motor was used across multiple brands

    • This version was sold with a white plastic stand

    • Box for this version mentions having the stand included

    • Unknown rarity due to the similar motor being used across multiple brands

    • Manufacturer: Sakai Seisakusho

    • Brand: Aristo-Craft

    • MetalProduction Years: Mid 1950's

    Rarity: Unknown with box: 2.5/5
    Desirability: 1.5/5 with box: 2/5
    Value: 1.5/5 with box: 2.5/5

  • The Model No. 4 ”SPEED” is the exact same style as the Sakai SPEED, but has some slight detail differences. The best ways to decipher these two versions, Aristo-Craft and Sakai, is with the box, cowl color and side trim. The Aristo-Craft version comes in the bright yellow box with red and black graphics. The box shows a profile of the motor with a red cowl. (NOTE: There was never a red version of this motor produced.) The Side trim of the “AC” version has smaller lettering for the “SPEED” name and a narrower chrome band than seen on the Sakai version. The box for this motor is rare and ads a lot of value to the motor. This motor was originally sold with a clear stand on an arrow-shaped base same as the Sakai motors. Due to this motors similar duplication of the Sakai SPEED, the Aristo-Craft version rarity is an unknown factor.

    Notable Traits:

    • About 1:9 scale 4.5” tall

    • Sakai-Style Motor

    • Similar motor as the Sakai SPEED motor

    • Narrower side trim ring than Sakai SPEED

    • Smaller “SPEED” lettering than Sakai motor

    • Originally sold with a clear stand on an arrow-shaped base same as the Sakai Manf. motors

    • Unknown rarity due to similar look to Sakai SPEED motor

    • Manufacturer: Sakai Seisakusho

    • Brand: Aristo-Craft

    • MetalProduction Years: Mid 1950's

    Rarity: Unknown with box: 3.5/5
    Desirability: 2.5/5 with box: 3.5/5
    Value: 2/5 with box: 4/5

  • The Model No. 19 is the next motor in the Aristo-Craft line. There were no models made numbering 12 through 18. This motor is similar to the 1955 K&O Evinrude Big Twin Aquasonic but, the Aristo-Craft version is larger and much more detailed than the K&O version. This motor has no Evinrude branding and is one of two Aristo-Craft motors to come with attached battery wires. The motor wires are light gray with no terminals. Aristo-Craft branded decals appear on both sides of the cowl and the face of the motor has detailed raised dials and a "pull start" handle. The larger center dial is the motors on/off switch. A final detail is a shift lever on the starboard side. This motor comes in a bright yellow box with red, black and white graphics and a "full color" profile image of the motor. This is the rarest Aristo-Craft motor and highly sought after by collectors. This motor was originally sold with the same style stand as available from the K&O line of motors. White plastic stand on an oval base.

    Notable Traits:

    • About 1:9 scale 4.5” tall

    • 1955 Evinrude Aquasonic-style Motor

    • Very rare motor

    • Highly Detailed

    • Originally sold with a white plastic stand on an oval base similar to K&O motor stands

    • One of two Aristo-Craft motor with attached wires

    • Gray wires and "C" style terminals

    • Manufacturer: Sakai Seisakusho

    • Brand: Aristo-Craft

    • MetalProduction Years: 1955-1956

    Rarity: 5/5 with box: 5/5
    Desirability: 5/5 with box: 5/5
    Value: 5/5 with box: 5/5

  • The Model No. Eleven motor is identical in shape and construction to another motor called the Water Sprite. The motor has Aristo-Craft branded decals on both sides of the cowl and Model Eleven decals on the lower tray. The faceplate has an Aristo-Craft "shield" decal which is often chipped or badly scratched. This motor comes in a bright yellow box with red and black graphics and a black, red and white profile image of the motor. This is the only Aristo-Craft model to have it's number spelled out rather than numerically identified.

    Notable Traits:

    • About 1:9 scale 4.5” tall

    • Same construction and design as a motor called the Water Sprite

    • Only Aristo-Craft to have its model number spelled out rather than numerical

    • semi-rare motor

    • referred to as a "Mercury" style motor

    • Never sold with a stand included

    • Hexagon wire nuts

    • Manufacturer: Sakai Seisakusho

    • Brand: Aristo-Craft

    • MetalProduction Years: mid 1950's

    Rarity: 3/5 with box: 4/5
    Desirability: 3.5/5 with box: 4/5
    Value: 3/5 with box: 4/5

  • The Model No. 10 motor is identical in shape and construction to the K&O Mercury Mark 55 motors. This motor is one of two Aristo-Craft motors to come with attached battery wires. The motor has the same green wires as seen on the 1955 K&O Mercury, but they came with "C" style terminals and not "fork" style as seen on the K&O motors. The motor has Aristo-Craft branded decals on both sides of the cowl and Model NO.10 decals on the lower tray. The faceplate has an Aristo-Craft "shield" decal which is often chipped or badly scratched. This motor comes in a bright yellow box with red and black graphics and a black and white (grayscale) profile image of the motor. This is one of the rarer Aristo-Craft motors and highly sought after by collectors. This motor was originally sold with the same style stand as available from the K&O line of motors. White plastic stand on an oval base.

    Notable Traits:

    • About 1:9 scale 4.5” tall

    • 1955 K&O-Style Mercury Motor

    • Very rare motor

    • Largely unknown motor in the Aristo-Craft line

    • Originally sold with a white plastic stand on an oval base similar to K&O motor stands

    • One of two Aristo-Craft motor with attached wires

    • "C" style terminals

    • Manufacturer: Sakai Seisakusho

    • Brand: Aristo-Craft

    • MetalProduction Years: 1955-1956

    Rarity: 4/5 with box: 4.5/5
    Desirability: 4.5/5 with box: 4.5/5
    Value: 4/5 with box: 4.5/5

  • The Permag No.1 motor is the smaller of two Permag motors made by Aristo-Craft. The motor is often used in smaller model boats, but not exclusive to nautical hobbies. This motor is seen in many small battery powered toys and hobbies from the 1950's-1960's. The Permag comes prewired with no terminals and the motor is attached to a mounting bracket.

    Notable Traits:

    • Motor is used with various boat brands and models

    • Motor is not exclusive to nautical hobbies

    • Not very sought after for collecting purposes, more as a practical item for boat restoration or completion

    • Prewired motor with mounting bracket

    • Manufacturer: Sakai Seisakusho

    • Brand: Aristo-Craft

    • MetalProduction Years: 1950's-1960's

    Rarity: 1/5 with box: 1.5/5
    Desirability: 1/5 with box: 1/5
    Value: 1/5 with box: 1/5

  • The Permag No.0 motor is a small electric motor under the Aristo-Craft brand and often used in smaller model boats, but not exclusive to nautical hobbies. The No.0 is a slightly larger motor than the No.1. This motor is seen in many small to medium battery powered toys and hobbies from the 1950's-1960's. The Permag comes prewired with no terminals and the motor is attached to a mounting bracket.

    Notable Traits:

    • Motor is used with various boat brands and models

    • The No.0 is slightly larger than the No.1

    • Motor is not exclusive to nautical hobbies

    • Not very sought after for collecting purposes, more as a practical item for boat restoration or completion

    • Prewired motor with mounting bracket

    • Manufacturer: Sakai Seisakusho

    • Brand: Aristo-Craft

    • MetalProduction Years: 1950's-1960's

    Rarity: 1/5 with box: 1.5/5
    Desirability: 1/5 with box: 1/5
    Value: 1/5 with box: 1/5

  • The Model C Motor Power Assembly is one of two models available. The motor assembly is for inboard boat applications complete with motor, battery tray, on/off switch, assembly wiring, prop shaft spring coupler, and small boat accessories. The motor in this assembly is angled slightly downward to match the pitch of a boats prop shaft. The Model C Motor Power Assembly electric motor is slightly larger than the Model B.

    Notable Traits:

    • Complete inboard motor assembly to be used with various boat brands and models

    • Semi-rare assembly not often seen for sale or auction

    • Not very sought after for collecting purposes, more as a practical item for boat restoration or completion

    • One of two Aristo-Craft motor assembly's available

    • Model C has larger electric motor than Model B

    • Manufacturer: Sakai Seisakusho

    • Brand: Aristo-Craft

    • MetalProduction Years: 1950's

    Rarity: 2/5 with box: 2.5/5
    Desirability: 1.5/5 with box: 2/5
    Value: 1.5/5 with box: 2/5

  • The Model B Motor Power Assembly is one of two models available. The motor assembly is for inboard boat applications complete with motor, battery tray, on/off switch, assembly wiring, prop shaft spring coupler, and small boat accessories. The motor in this assembly is angled slightly downward to match the pitch of a boats prop shaft. The Model B Motor Power Assembly electric motor is slightly smaller than the Model C.

    Notable Traits:

    • Complete inboard motor assembly to be used with various boat brands and models

    • Semi-rare assembly not often seen for sale or auction

    • Not very sought after for collecting purposes, more as a practical item for boat restoration or completion

    • One of two Aristo-Craft motor assembly's available

    • Model B has smaller electric motor than Model C

    • Manufacturer: Sakai Seisakusho

    • Brand: Aristo-Craft

    • MetalProduction Years: 1950's

    Rarity: 2/5 with box: 2.5/5
    Desirability: 1.5/5 with box: 2/5
    Value: 1.5/5 with box: 2/5

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