Reply To: 6ND 1957 champion sweet sixteen outboard

[David Stanton]

I would love to have one of those 16s…..and I’d Kill for the dual setup (called tandem33) that’s in Tubs photo. I share the same thoughts about it that Tubs already posted, and prefer to fix one up myself, as that is the most fun part of the hobby for me. I used to be able to get Champion parts from Lyle Swanson, as he got the factory stock when they folded and had a repair shop her in Minnesota about 15 miles from me where I got parts for smaller models. In the late 1980s, Lyle told me he sold all the 16 HP parts and rights to produce the “Hotrod” class B racing version to a guy out east who was still building and selling the racing version. Lyle said he sold that off because he got tired of arguing with Mercury’s lawyers every time one of his Champion “Swanson Hotrods” beat a Mercury in a sanctioned race – which was pretty often! I don’t know if the guy out east is still building motors and/or selling 16 HP parts. Someone on this site should know if he’s still around, and know who he is. Lyle’s shop is long gone now.

FYI: There is a Champion facebook group at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/551675555554500 If that link doesn’t work, go to facebook and type “Champion Outboard Motors” in the search box.

Dave