Mooney · 1964–1975
Mooney M20E Super 21 (1964-1975)
Specifications
Cruise
155KTAS
Range
610nm
Seats
4
Useful Load
1000lbs
Full-fuel payload
688lbs
Fuel Burn
10.5gph
Fuel Cap.
52gal
MPG
17.0mpg
Stall (Vs0)
53KIAS
T/O roll
680ft
Ldg roll
450ft
Power
200hp
Engine
piston single
Gear
Retractable
IFR
Yes
Category
certified
Pricing
Typical
$95k
Range
$60k – $145k
Annual all-in
~$16k/yr
All-in estimate at ~100 flying hours a year — fuel, annual inspection, engine reserve, insurance, and hangar. It scales with your actual hours, and insurance and hangar vary most by region and pilot.
Cost to own — estimate
Set your yearly hours and local fuel price. Fixed costs (insurance, hangar, annual inspection) don't change with hours; fuel and the engine reserve do.
- Fuel (10.5 gph)
- $6,825
- Engine reserve (toward overhaul)
- $1,556
- Fixed (insurance, hangar, annual, subscriptions)
- $7,619
- Total per year
- $16,000
- Per flight hour
- $160
- Miles flown / year (at cruise)
- 17,837 mi
- Cost per mile
- $0.90/mi
Estimate, not a quote — insurance and hangar (the fixed bucket) vary most by region and pilot. Anchored to our model figure at 100 hrs and $6.50/gal.
Strengths
- 155 KTAS cruise on just 10.5 GPH — best-in-class efficiency for 200 HP retractable
- First 200 HP Mooney with fuel injection — proven reliability and modern powerplant
- Light airframe (1,575 lbs empty) — 1,000 lb useful load with responsive handling
- 1,680 units produced — strong parts availability and community support
Weaknesses
- Short cabin (no fuselage stretch) — tight quarters compared to M20F/J models
- 50+ year airframes now — fuel bladders and tail corrosion common on aged examples
- Manual gear on early models (1964–1968) — rigging failures if not maintained properly
- IO-360-A1A cylinder wear — mid-time engines require borescope inspection and possible overhaul
Overview
The M20E Super 21 (renamed "Chaparral" in 1971) is the first 200 HP Mooney -- combining the lightweight short-fuselage M20C airframe with the fuel-injected Lycoming IO-360-A1A. Production ran 1964-1975 with approximately 1,680 units built, making the M20E the most-produced pre-201 Mooney variant.
The M20E established the "fast Mooney" reputation that would carry through the M20J 201. At 155 KTAS on 10.5 GPH, the E delivered cruise efficiency 15 knots faster than the comparable Piper Arrow on identical engine -- proof of Mooney's aerodynamic clean-sheet design.
Key Characteristics
- Engine: Lycoming IO-360-A1A, 200 HP at 2,700 RPM, fuel injected
- Fuselage: Short-cabin (same as M20C, no F/G stretch)
- Gear: Retractable, manual Johnson bar (early 1964-1968) or electric (1968+)
- Empty weight: ~1,575 lbs (light for 200 HP retractable)
- Useful load: ~1,000 lbs (200 lbs more than M20C)
Performance
- Cruise: 155 KTAS at 7,500 ft (75% power)
- Climb: 1,125 FPM at gross
- Fuel burn: 10.5 GPH cruise (efficient for 200 HP)
- Range: 610 NM with reserves at 52 gal fuel
- Useful load: 1,000 lbs
The M20E is the fastest pre-201 short-body Mooney -- 5-7 knots faster than the same-engine M20F due to lighter weight and shorter fuselage.
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Valuation Factors
| Condition | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Project / needs engine | $40,000-$60,000 |
| Flying but tired | $60,000-$95,000 |
| Well-maintained, mid-time engine | $85,000-$125,000 |
| Well-maintained, modern panel | $110,000-$145,000 |
M20Es typically trade $10,000-$25,000 above equivalent M20Cs due to 200 HP advantage and fuel injection.
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ADs & Common Problems
Universal Mooney pre-buy applies. M20E-specific:
- IO-360-A1A cylinder condition: Borescope all four cylinders. Continental cylinder issues common at mid-time.
- Fuel servo and injector condition: Fuel servo overhaul: $1,500-$2,500. Periodic injector cleaning required.
- Manual gear (early) vs electric (late): Verify Johnson bar (1964-1968) operation -- improper rigging causes gear failures. Electric gear (1968+ M20E) trade $5,000-$10,000 above Johnson bar examples.
- Tail rust and corrosion: Steel tube tail structure prone to rust if hangar storage history has gaps.
- Fuel bladder condition: 50+ year bladders may have seam deterioration; replacement $4,000-$6,000.
For sale (0)
No listings for this model right now.