British Seagull Little Model Forty.

The little model forty outboard, is a very different Seagull to all the later models.

It is just that much smaller in size compeared to all other Seagull models,

Only 40cc for the model F, 56cc for the FV-FVP, not 64cc like all later forty Seagull's and the most obvius of all, it has a centre tiller arm.

I do like Seagull outboards and yes you do always get someone that thinks that they are old and smelly, well they are and pretty much bullet proof.

The FVP was my first Seagull, it is known as a Little Forty model and most parts are smaller to the standard Forty series as it was the predecessor to the forty series Seagull.

The little model forty series, comprised of the models, F, FV, FVP. Not the LS model, the LS is a Super Forty as stated by British seagull.

Model F, 40cc was the first motor that started the forty series, but shouldn't be confused with the much later model F, the original F was fitted with an Amal carburettor unlike any other forty seagull and the choke cover even though very similar to a Amal cover on the 102 Seagull, it was modified with it's own screw controlled choke.

After the LSs came the SJMs and the SJPs. Well not quite, as there was an overlap when the all three were being produced simultaneously. After the LSs came the SJMs and the SJPs. Well not quite, as there was an overlap when the all three were being produced simultaneously. Probably also some LMs were produced as well during this period. It is interesting how the Early Series Forty models were developed during their production. The introduction of the ‘big’ gearbox for the FVP was a success, as was the introduction of the LS, which I have suggested stood for Long(er) Stroke. This longer stroke unit, compared to the FV/FVP, increased the capacity by about 9cc to 64cc. The crankcase corrosion issue was addressed by the introduction of the SJM/SJP, which I have suggested stood for Sealed Jacket Minus/Plus. In this unit the cooling water was in a Sealed Jacket cylinder block design and thus water could not be in contact with the crankcase to cause corrosion. In the last 2 years or so of the production of the Early Series Forty Models, the SJM/SJPs were being produced alongside them in steadily increasing numbers as the following table shows. This overlap allowed efficient commonality of parts between the two designs and time to resolve any potential design or production problems. The following production figures assume all the serial numbers were allocated.

Year 1955 SJM/SJP S/Nos:- 10 to 586 Qty 577. LS/LM S/Nos:- 27085 to 35003 Qty 7919. Total annual quantity 8496

Year 1956 SJM/SJP S/Nos:- 587 to 3903. Qty 3317. LS/LM S/Nos:- 35004 to 38324 Qty 3321 Total annual quantity 6638

Year 1957 SJM/SJP S/Nos:- 3904 to 9772 Qty 5869. LS/LM S/Nos:- 38325 to 38344 Qty 20 Total annual quantity 5889

A pictured of an original running model F, a 40cc with an amal carburettor with an unusual choke setup,

only used on this model and no used on any other seagull, it looks like a 102 carburettor cover, but smaller.

Pictures and info provided by Jeremy Price.

This is one of my FVP's, it has always been very reliable, so I just gave it the once over.

I would have liked to have done something to improve the rusted drive tube, but as its can be impossible to remove on this motor without doing major damage, would be best left well alone.

The drive tube screws in and is not clamped like all the other models, so I added a coat of paint and just left it alone.

Nice compact little motor, that always seems to have more horse power than it should for the size of this little outboard.

The model FV, Forty Villiers, fitted with a Villiers carb, small gearbox, commonly known as a forty minus and the FVP, Forty Villiers, with a bigger gearbox or Plus box, commonly known as a forty plus.