TOPIC: Fastwin-Blue or Gray

I picked up a near perfect '57 18hp Evinrude Fastwin the other day. I answered an online ad without a picture, (I hate that, but you never know). I was skeptical because I had chased an ad for a '59 Fat Fifty without a pic, and it turned out to be a real basket case. As soon as I pulled in the driveway, I spotted the shining Fastwin next to the garage. Wow, the thing is like new. Quite a basement find. The asking price was so reasonable that I almost hated to offer less, but... So I got it for $20. less than advertised, including the tank! (Although the tank is rough).
As I look at pics of the '57 18hp online, I see that some are blue, black & white, like mine, and some are gray, black & white, like the 35hp Lark series. Does the gray model designate a premium line? Thanks for any comments. I will try to post some pics...

I have never seen a photo of a grey Fastwin(from the factory ) nor a grey (again factory paint job) 57 Fastwin.

Please post the site of the photo you have

In 1957 they came 2 ways.
Pull start, and elect start...both blue

www.old-omc.de/e_1957/seite_14_15.jpg

www.old-omc.de/e_1957/seite_16_17.jpg

I'm not good with the PC, but all I did was Google in '57 Evinrude 18hp', I get lots of sites, and click on 'Images of Evinrude 18hp' and there's several gray & black ones, here's mine.

That motor/model year was all blue, not gray. far back as I can remember...

The correct colours for the 57 Evinrudes except the Lark are Polychromatic blue/white/charcoal grey. Extremely faded blue can appear grey in photos. In my collection i have most of the 57 models as they are my favorite 50's Evinrudes I have attached a pic of my brand new 1957 Fastwin.

al lockhart,

Here in South TX we have LOTS of "dove gray" Evinrude OB. - All of them were once blue. Credit the TX sun.
(Over the last 3 decades my medium GRAY Mercedes saloon has become SILVER.)

yours, satx

al lockhart wrote:

The correct colours for the 57 Evinrudes except the Lark are Polychromatic blue/white/charcoal grey. Extremely faded blue can appear grey in photos. In my collection i have most of the 57 models as they are my favorite 50's Evinrudes I have attached a pic of my brand new 1957 Fastwin.

That's a beauty!

I have a very very faded old 18hp that's a very nice blue inside, faded grey on the cowling outside. The leg is quite blue as well. I was just looking at it the other day and I'm absolutely sure you're right about the fading issue.

Perhaps a bit of color-sanding would reveal some "fresh" blue paint underneath, Hmmmmm.......????

Sadly the paint on these motors is pretty thin. I tried wet sanding a very faded Fastwin with 2000 grit and the paint came off! Next I tried a good buffing compound on a wet rag, paint shined up, still grey but shiny grey! The only way to get colour back is to paint em, NY marine has all the colours and correct decals, it ain't cheap but the paint is the exact match to the original and WAY more durable.

Well OK, I guess sun fade is a good explanation, I did go back and inspect the online pics a little more closely, and I did see some faint blue in places. I guess that clears it up. Thanks all for the input.