Determining the precise number of 1962 Evinrude Lark IV 40 HP outboard motors ever manufactured is unfortunately impossible. Outboard motor manufacturers didn't typically keep detailed production records broken down to such specific model years and horsepower combinations for public access. These records, if they existed, would likely be considered proprietary business information.
However, we can explore factors that influence the rarity of this specific model and offer some educated speculation.
Factors Affecting Production Numbers:
Several factors contribute to the difficulty in pinpointing the exact production figure and also contribute to the overall rarity of a 1962 Evinrude Lark IV 40 HP:
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Limited Production Records: As mentioned above, manufacturers rarely kept detailed production figures available for the public. Information available would likely be aggregated across model years or engine types.
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Model Year Changes: Outboard motor designs changed frequently. Even within a single model year, there could be subtle variations in parts or features that affect production records.
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Market Demand: The actual number produced would directly correlate with the demand in 1962. Economic conditions, competing brands, and popular boating trends of the era significantly influenced sales.
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Model Lifecycle: How long the specific 1962 Lark IV 40 HP remained in production before being replaced by an updated model also factors into the overall number produced.
Finding Clues About Production Numbers:
While we cannot get a definitive answer, some strategies might offer clues:
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Contacting Evinrude/BRP Archives: While unlikely to yield a precise figure for this specific model and year, contacting the archives of Brunswick Corporation (the parent company of Evinrude) or BRP (Bombardier Recreational Products, which now owns the Evinrude brand) might reveal some aggregated production data from that era. This is a long shot, as access to such data is restricted.
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Consulting Vintage Outboard Motor Enthusiast Groups: Online forums and clubs dedicated to vintage outboard motors often have members with extensive knowledge of specific models. Sharing your search there might uncover anecdotes or estimates from owners and collectors.
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Analyzing Sales Brochures and Advertisements: Studying period sales brochures and advertisements could provide insight into the popularity and market position of the 1962 Evinrude Lark IV 40 HP compared to other models, which could indirectly help in making an educated guess.
Conclusion:
Unfortunately, there's no definitive answer to how many 1962 Evinrude Lark IV 40 HP outboard motors were built. The lack of readily available production records makes it a challenging question to answer precisely. However, exploring the suggested avenues above might offer some clues and help gauge the rarity of this classic outboard motor. The rarity is likely considerable due to age and the lack of comprehensive manufacturing records from that era.
