1960 MERC 300S

[MJ CUSTOMS]

I have recently inherited a Merc 300s from my grandfather (1960 motor only) made in cedarburg WI. serial # 1287787. My question is it says powered by thunderbolt but,everything I can find tells me the thunderbolt did not come out until 1966. Am I miss informed? The motor is in exelleant shape with very low hours. Can anyone give me some back ground on this motor, thank you,MJ.

 

[alcan]

Re: 1960 MERC 300S

Hi MJ<br />I don't know if Merc ever used a ignition system they didn't lable thunderbolt. Sorry not trying to be a wise guy. It does get to be kind of confusing. I don't know the answer to your question. I suspect they just liked to market that name, it sounds powerfull.

 

[Tregaskis19]

Re: 1960 MERC 300S

"Powered by the famous Thunderbolt' engine"...the sound of this brought fear to many a Johnson/Evinrude owner back in the day.<br /><br />Anyway, Carl Kiekhaefer (founder of Mercury) named his engne designs...<br /><br />The two cylinder engines he dubbed "Hurricane" <br />The four cylinder inlines ( which your 300S is) where named "Thunderbolt" and<br />the six cylinder inlines (starting with the Mark 75 in 1957) were called "Marathon" engines. (named for the famous 50,000 mile Marathon that Kiekhaefer put them through to show the world that Mercury's were not only the fastest engines on the planet but were also the toughest.<br /><br />The tag on the lower cowl of your engine that says "Powered by the famous Thunderbolt engine" helps keep alive the memory of one of the greatest marine geniuses of our time...Carl Kiekhaefer.