SPL on side of 50 horse johnson

[omc man]

Hello, does anybody know what the spl on my 50 horse johnson means, I think it means a 50 special, but what makes a special special?

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: SPL on side of 50 horse johnson

Special price. Sort of the Generic 50. Old proven technology vs the latest and greatest. They also only came in one configuration, so making a run of them with the same option package allows a lower price.

 

[achris]

Re: SPL on side of 50 horse johnson

Sounds like the Johnno equivalent of the Yammy 'CV'. Yammy told everyone is stood for Customer Value. I tell everybody it stood for Cheap Version.

 

[dajohnson53]

Re: SPL on side of 50 horse johnson

i was looking at used rigs a few years back and my understanding at that time was that the specials were older tech with less "options". For example, the ones I looked at were carbed 2 strokes (not 4 stroke, not EFI, not DFI). None that I saw had either power trim/tilt or oil injection. Don't know if this is the case for all. I was told it was just a more basic, cheaper version - to get the entry level price point down.

 

[dajohnson53]

Re: SPL on side of 50 horse johnson

PS: But I also understood that there was nothing wrong with the engine per se - perfectly good technology, just lacking some options that would cost a few hundred to have done if you wanted them in the future.