Hello all,
Would any of you have heard of a Roots Marine Outboard? 4.5 hp, british made, I have been offered one the problem is that it's located at one of the other Channel Islands so I cannot simply go and have a look at it and am not sure they can send photos. I gave never heard of Roots Marine before but I don't really want to waste my money traveling there if it's just a re-badged Anzani Pilot.
Thank You for any info
Roots Marine outboard
Moderators: John@sos, charlesp, Charles uk, RickUK, Petergalileo
Re: Roots Marine outboard
Rootes outboards were actually Olivers, made in the UK, but the rights were then sold to British Anzani. I personally would not bother... 
The production of outboard motors was given a fillip in 1964 when the Company bought the remnant of the Chris-Craft/Oliver marque which they acquired from the car makers Rootes Group.
In 1959 Perkins had come to an arrangement with the US company Oliver to manufacture their range of outboards in the UK. The American designs were technically more advanced than their British counterparts and at the time US supplied engines carried a heavy UK import duty so the British-made versions could be sold up to 40% cheaper than the American-made originals. Mechanical reliability problems soon meant Perkins had sold the rights to the Rootes car making group of companies (Sunbeam/ Humber/Hillman) who sold them through their car dealerships with the Rootes nameplate.
Anzani 180
However marketing confusion with car salesmen unfamiliar with outboards and service engineers likewise brought about another short tenure. British Anzani bought the parts, jigs and tools in 1964 but despite some design changes failed to cure the unreliability problems and production ceased in 1967. The engines were marketed as the Anzani 65, 180 and 400 models.
The production of outboard motors was given a fillip in 1964 when the Company bought the remnant of the Chris-Craft/Oliver marque which they acquired from the car makers Rootes Group.
In 1959 Perkins had come to an arrangement with the US company Oliver to manufacture their range of outboards in the UK. The American designs were technically more advanced than their British counterparts and at the time US supplied engines carried a heavy UK import duty so the British-made versions could be sold up to 40% cheaper than the American-made originals. Mechanical reliability problems soon meant Perkins had sold the rights to the Rootes car making group of companies (Sunbeam/ Humber/Hillman) who sold them through their car dealerships with the Rootes nameplate.
Anzani 180
However marketing confusion with car salesmen unfamiliar with outboards and service engineers likewise brought about another short tenure. British Anzani bought the parts, jigs and tools in 1964 but despite some design changes failed to cure the unreliability problems and production ceased in 1967. The engines were marketed as the Anzani 65, 180 and 400 models.
Re: Roots Marine outboard
I have two, a small one and a big as a garden ornament, both dead, Roots, Perkins Anzani, same thing, I think coils are about £100+ each, if its not a runner don't bother.
Re: Roots Marine outboard
Thanks guys for the replies, and Adrian, a mine of information...as usual, I had never heard of Rootes Marine before and even a google search does not come up with much.
Thank You
Thank You
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Charles uk
- Posts: 4971
- Joined: Wed Feb 27, 2008 4:38 pm
- Location: Maidenhead Berks UK
Re: Roots Marine outboard
Perhaps you should buy yourself a book Rene, why not try The Old Outboard Book by Peter Hunn, & at least the third edition.
A good accurate guide of the American stuff, not quite as good on the English, but worth the money.
A good accurate guide of the American stuff, not quite as good on the English, but worth the money.
Make it idiot proof and someone will make a better idiot.
Re: Roots Marine outboard
Good advise 