Since the advent of outboard motors well over 100 years ago, there has been a keen interest in outboards by generations of boating enthusiasts. The interest had become so widespread by the early 1960’s that outboard hobbyists were constantly corresponding about antique motors and it became apparent that a club should be formed. Dr. David R. Reinhartsen PhD. founded the Antique Outboard Motor Club (TAOMC) in October 1965. Outboard enthusiasts George Jacobs, O.D Tucker and Ted Bieber along with other committed individuals were also instrumental in clubs formation in the early days.

An article appeared in the March 1966 issue of “Popular Mechanics” magazine discussing old outboards. The Antique Outboard Motor Club was prominently featured in the article which increased an interest in collecting antique outboard motors. In the first few months of our club’s existence, several things became necessary to better serve members and prospective members. Among those was a need for more readily available information about antique outboards including such simple things as gas and oil mixtures, motor specifications, tune-up information, parts diagrams, etc. New motor manufacturers and local outboard motor repair shops often either did not have information or were not motivated to provide information on older motors. In addition to information, the club also created a means to assist members in locating motors and related parts. Mutual sharing of information and parts sources occurred and has been continuously documented in the club’s quarterly publication, “The Antique Outboarder”.

In August 1966, the club had its first official wet meet, dubbed “The Great Race” which was billed as the world’s first antique outboard motor race. It actually wasn’t much at all. The meet was a loosely organized affair sponsored by Valentine Marine and TAOMC. Only one member was present (Dave Reinhartsen) along with a couple of prospective members who promised to join the club. The event was documented in the fourth issue of “The Antique Outboarder” and in several other local publications. Suffice it to say, it was the beginning of regular club meets where members could get together and enjoy the great hobby of collecting, repairing, and running these old motors.

Incorporated under State of Texas laws in late 1968, the Antique Outboard Motor Club, Inc. (AOMCI) soon began to form regional chapters to give representation to groups of collectors all over the country, as well as internationally. In the early years, AOMCI, Dave Reinhartsen, and the Texas Chapter were actually one and the same, as Dave’s residence near Dallas, Texas became the official address of AOMCI for approximately ten years. One of our Texas Chapter Presidents in the mid 1990’s discovered that the Texas Chapter had never received an official charter from AOMCI.  According to Dave, he simply overlooked the procedure, as he was overwhelmed with all the time and effort required to create the new organization. The Executive Council of AOMCI quickly resolved the problem as the Texas Chapter finally received its charter.

The Texas Chapter lays claim to being the first and oldest chapter of the Antique Outboard Motor Club, Inc. and, as of this printing, has 89 members from Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Louisiana. The chapter currently has five meets during the year; two at Lake LBJ in Kingsland, Texas, one at Lake Catherine State Park in Arkansas, one at Lake Houston, and one dry meet the second weekend in November for selling, trading, displaying, and repairing old outboards and related items at Louis Rothermel’s office in Houston, Texas. Our chapter also participates in the Houston International Boat, Sport & Travel Show every January in the Reliant Center in Houston, Texas, and the Keels & Wheels antique boat and car show each May at the Lakewood Yacht Club in Clear Lake, Texas.

For information click here about joining the club and its Texas Chapter, please feel free to contact any one of the current officers and/or download and complete the membership application on this website.

Come join the fun and meet some great people that enjoy some of the simpler things in life.