History of the Vim Motor Co.

Questions remain 
Having presented an overview of the corporate history, let’s turn to other questions:

• How many Vim’s were built? There are no remaining records, but I have seen marine engine serial numbers from 323 to 1,868. It seems likely that they were numbered consecutively across the breadth of their marine engine offering.

• How many Vim’s are left? I have seen or seen pictures of 17 marine engines including two single-cylinder examples that were obviously built by Vim but were not equipped with a nameplate. It is more difficult to keep track of the 1-1/4 HP models because they are all virtually identical. Also, being popular with collectors, they trade owners fairly often. I’m sure that I have seen at least eight 1-1/4 HP units but maybe significantly more. I invite Vim owners to identify themselves to me and send me pictures of their engines. If you request privacy I will respect your request.

• How to date when a Vim marine engine was manufactured? Probably the assumption of consecutive serial numbering and the years that the company was in business is your best estimate. I have tried in vain to determine by serial number that a particular style cylinder casting was newer or older than another. Seemingly the differences in major castings are differentiated more by engine classification (Standard, Heavy Duty or Extreme High Speed) than by date of manufacture.

• What color scheme did Vim use? There are no records but I have a 1-1/4 HP with some original dark green paint on the engine, skids and battery box. It is comparable to Rustoleum Hunter Green. There is also a black 1-1/4 HP that the owner believes has original paint. Among the marine engines it seems that red was a popular color with black flywheels seeming to be a recurring theme.

I also wonder what the original muffler looked like on the 1-1/4 HP. Obviously it was about 4 inches round and threaded into the cylinder, but so far I have not seen an original Vim with a muffler that convinces me that the muffler is original. If you think that your Vim has an original muffler please let me know.

At this point I will leave the realm of careful research behind and present some unanswered questions. First, where did C.P. Barber come from and where did he go after leaving Vim? Did he have any ties to the Barber Bros. firm that built marine engines in Syracuse, N.Y.?