Famus Outboard Motors

Manufacture Date Range: Mid-Late 1950’s

  • The Model 156 is the rarest Famus available and comes in a distinctly designed box with duller coloring than other Famus motors. This model was one of only two “winged” trim models available. The model 156 and 299 were the same upper motor design with the only difference being the lower portion of the 299 had twin screws. The model 156 was available with a tiller handle style on/off switch.  The wired versions of these motors came with red and yellow wires with “clam shell” terminals. (Note: motor show in these photos has replaced wires and incorrect fork-style terminals) All Famus motors had a single knurled thumb-screw transom bracket. The majority of the Famus motors had thin metal bodies and were of poor construction. Many examples today are in non-working condition.

    Notable Traits:

    • Roughly 1:10 Scale – apx 4 inches tall

    • Tiller handle on/off switch

    • Only Famus model in a dull colored box. Other Famus motors were in very brightly colored boxes

    • One of only two “Winged trim” models available from Famus

    • Country of Manufacturer: Japan

    • Brand: Famus Motors (correctly spelled “Famus” with no “o”)

    • Production Years: Mid-late 1950’s

    Rarity: 3.5/5
    Desirability: 4/5 with box: 4.5/5
    Value: 2.5/5 with box: 3/5

  • The Model 199 is one of the more common Famus motors and the least valuable or sought after version. This model was very simply designed with the only ornate piece being the medallion on top of the cowl. The Model 199 motor was available in this very simplistic version and a version with decorative side panels. The model 199 had a toggle-style on/off switch located on the face of the motor. The wired versions of these motors came with red and yellow wires with “clam shell” terminals. All Famus motors had a single knurled thumb-screw transom bracket. The majority of the Famus motors had thin metal bodies and were of poor construction. Many examples today are in non-working condition. Motors originally came in brightly colored boxes with motor graphics and “Famus Motor” branding.

    Notable Traits:

    • Roughly 1:10 Scale – apx 4 inches tall

    • Toggle-style on/off switch

    • All models come in a brightly colored box with motor graphics that matched the model inside

    • One of two similarly styled versions

    • Country of Manufacturer: Japan

    • Brand: Famus Motors (correctly spelled “Famus” with no “o”)

    • Production Years: Mid-late 1950’s

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

  • The Model 199 (side panel) is one of the more common Famus motors and has the same styling as the Model 199 but, with added polished metal side panels. This model was originally very simply designed with the only ornate piece being the medallion on top of the cowl. Presumably the manufacturer added the side panels in an effort to make the motor more attractive and desirable. The Model 199 with side panels had a toggle-style on/off switch located on the face of the motor. The wired versions of these motors came with red and yellow wires with “clam shell” terminals. All Famus motors had a single knurled thumb-screw transom bracket. The majority of the Famus motors had thin metal bodies and were of poor construction. Many examples today are in non-working condition. Motors originally came in brightly colored boxes with motor graphics and “Famus Motor” branding.

    Notable Traits:

    • Roughly 1:10 Scale – apx 4 inches tall

    • Toggle-style on/off switch

    • All models come in a brightly colored box with motor graphics that matched the model inside

    • One of two similarly styled versions

    • Presumably this version of the 199 was adorned with decorative side panels to increase eye appeal and desirability

    • Country of Manufacturer: Japan

    • Brand: Famus Motors (correctly spelled “Famus” with no “o”)

    • Production Years: Mid-late 1950’s

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

     

  • The Model 201marked a departure from the previous line of Famus motors with an updated blue coloring and more detailed design. The 201 is a little less common and has more desirability than the Model 199 versions. This model not only looks truer to real-life counterpart motors but is also made with far better-quality metal. Although these motors had much better manufacturing, the decals were unprotected and wore off very easily. Many of these motors are missing their original decaling/branding. The Model 201 had a toggle-style on/off switch located on the face of the motor. This was the first Famus motor that had no external battery wires and came with knurled wire nut terminals like K&O style motors. All Famus motors had a single knurled thumb-screw transom bracket. Unlike many of the other Famus motors, many of the Model 201 motors can still be found in good working condition. Motors originally came in brightly colored boxes with motor graphics and “Famus Motor” branding.

    Notable Traits:

    • Roughly 1:10 Scale – apx 4 inches tall

    • Toggle-style on/off switch

    • All models come in a brightly colored box with motor graphics that matched the model inside

    • Originally came with “wire-style” metal stand

    • First version with knurled wire nut terminals and no external battery wires

    • Updated manufacturing with better quality metal and increased dependability

    • Country of Manufacturer: Japan

    • Brand: Famus Motors (correctly spelled “Famus” with no “o”)

    • Production Years: Mid-late 1950’s

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

  • The Model 299 is the second rarest Famus available. This model was one of only two “winged” trim models available and the only toy outboard available with twin screws. The model 299 and 156 were the same upper motor design with the only difference being the lower portion of the 299 had twin screws. The model 299 was available with a tiller handle style on/off switch.  The wired versions of these motors came with red and yellow wires with “clam shell” terminals. All Famus motors had a single knurled thumb-screw transom bracket. The majority of the Famus motors had thin metal bodies and were of poor construction. Many examples today are in non-working condition. This version is very sought after by many collectors and is hard to find due to collectors being unwilling to part with them. Motors originally came in brightly colored boxes with motor graphics and “Famus Motor” branding.

    Notable Traits:

    • Roughly 1:10 Scale – apx 4 inches tall

    • Tiller handle on/off switch

    • Only toy outboard available with twin screws

    • All models come in a brightly colored box with motor graphics that matched the model inside

    • One of only two “Winged trim” models available from Famus

    • Country of Manufacturer: Japan

    • Brand: Famus Motors (correctly spelled “Famus” with no “o”)

    • Production Years: Mid-late 1950’s

    Rarity: 3/5
    Desirability: 4/5 with box: 4.5/5
    Value: 2.5/5 with box: 3/5

  • The Model 420 was the final motor made by Famus and the only one featuring a silver painted lower. Like the 201, this model was a departure from the previous line of Famus motors with an updated blue/silver coloring and a more detailed design. The 420 is fairly common but one of the more desirable Famus motors available. This model not only looks truer to real-life counterpart motors but, is also made with a far better-quality metal. Although these motors had much better manufacturing, the decals were unprotected and wore off very easily. Many of these motors are missing their original gold/red decaling. The Model 420 had a toggle-style on/off switch located on the face of the motor as well as a tiller handle. This was the second Famus motor that had no external battery wires and came with knurled wire nut terminals like K&O style motors. All Famus motors had a single knurled thumb-screw transom bracket. Unlike many of the other Famus motors, many of the Model 420 motors can still be found in good working condition. Motors originally came in brightly colored boxes with motor graphics and “Famus Motor” branding.

    Notable Traits:

    • Roughly 1:10 Scale – apx 4 inches tall

    • Toggle-style on/off switch

    • All models come in a brightly colored box with motor graphics that matched the model inside

    • Originally came with “wire-style” metal stand

    • Second version with knurled wire nut terminals and no external battery wires

    • Updated manufacturing with better quality metal and increased dependability

    • Country of Manufacturer: Japan

    • Brand: Famus Motors (correctly spelled “Famus” with no “o”)

    • Production Years: Mid-late 1950’s

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

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