Carl kiekhaefer that, when published in 1991, sent shockwaves through the local. The company manufactures marine propulsion engines. The lives of carl kiekhaefer, reveals the breathtaking life of the indomitable founder of mercury marine. Fred kiekhaefer steps down from mercury racing boating. The rest is, of course, history and its all on display in the mercury museum. The long awaited story of the marine industrys most celebrated personality, car.
Kiekhaefer, 65, is the son of marine industry icon carl kiekhaefer, who founded kiekhaefer aeromarine company and is largely credited with introducing the stern drive to marine market. Kiekhaefer was a modernday giant killer, who delighted in spoiling the welllaid plans of competition. His book iron fist is a noholdsbarred biography of mercury marine founder e. Datasets available include lcsh, bibframe, lc name authorities, lc classification, marc codes, premis vocabularies, iso language codes, and more. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. After his companys kiekhaefer stern drive dominated the offshore world championships in key west in 1988 and 1989, brunswick asked kiekhaefer to come back to mercury to run the highperformance division. The memory of its founder, carl kiekhaefer, lives on in the hearts and minds of engineers and boat enthusiasts alike. In addition to marine engines, the mercury museum displays include water pumps, chain saws and aerial drones manufactured by kiekhaefer mercury during world war ii, a prototype kiekhaefer lawn mower, a mercury snotwister snowmobile, a race boat, and even the moped founder carl kiekhaefer used to prowl around the. Shortly afterwards the kiekhaefer name was removed in favor of mercury marine.
Kiekhaefer was a modernday giantkiller who delighted in spoiling the welllaid plans of competitors. Carl married bertha auguste emilia kiekhaefer on month day 1870, at age 26 at marriage place. Born on june 4, 1906, in mequon, wisconsin, to arnold and clara wessel kiekhaefer, carl kiekhaefer became familiar with the workings of gaspowered engines at a very young age, while working on his familys farm. In 1940, he launched mercury marinetoday the worlds largest manufacturer of outboards and stern drives. Kiekhaefer was a modernday giant killer, who delighted in spoiling the welllaid plans of. Since kiekhaefers departure in 1970, mercury marine has come into its own while holding on to those qualities inherited from its founder. The legend of mercury marine write stuff enterprises, llc. From 1941 to 1957, mercury also built wizard motors for western auto that closely resembled the kiekhaefer motors, but. Working as a mercury lake x test boat driver for carl. Kiekhaefer, elmer carl, 19061983 lc linked data service. Jeff lives in fort lauderdale with his wife, karine, awardwinning photographer of the classic mahogany boasts and. Select the year you want and on the next page, select the hp. We offer the largest selection of old stock, quicksilver original parts and quality discount aftermarket parts by sierra marine, mallory marine, and cdi electronics.
The son of mercury founder carl kiekhaefer, fred took over the family company, kiekhaefer aeromarine in 1983, when his father passed away. For example, in 1947 mercury came out with their fulljeweled power antifriction ball, roller and needle bearings in all major bearing locations. Mercury 500 50 hp thunderbolt ignition,kiekhaefer,blue here is a link to mercury decals. The kiekhaefer aeromarine name and facilities were sold to brunswick corporation in 1990 by carl s son fred. Mercury 500 50 hp thunderbolt ignition,kiekhaefer,blue.
Brunswick brought lots of capital, other leisure products and a world wide market. Kiekhaefer, carl power boats 1998 inductees hall of fame. Now in its third printing, jeff rodengens book on carl kiekhaefer exposed the. Carl kiekhaefer that, when published in 1991, sent shockwaves through the local community and the worldwide marine industry. The first ones incorporated a 250 cc twoman chainsaw engine. Kiekhaefer stayed with brunswick for awhile, but left the corporation in 1970. Fred kiekhaefer steps down from mercury racing boating magazine. Top american libraries canadian libraries universal library community texts project gutenberg biodiversity heritage library childrens library. Mercury has consistently emphasized quality, performance, innovation and reliability.
Second part of the marine outboard boat motor maker mercurykiekhaefer. Kiekhaefer mercury vintage outboard motor service manuals pdf. Kiekhaefer other boat outboard engines and components for. Carl kiekhaefer was a revolutionist engineer that used his passion for engineering, competitiveness and salesmanship to change the marine industry. This includes data values and the controlled vocabularies that house them. With decades of changes, the mercury outboard is still with us today. When setting out to write an interesting book about an amazing man, jeffrey l. Kiekhaefer mercury vintage outboard motor service manuals. It all started back in 1939, when carl kiekhaefer built the first mercury outboard in a small machine shop. Carl kiekhaefer news newspapers books scholar jstor june 2015. In this lavishly illustrated the legend of mercury marine, jeffrey l. Dec 21, 2016 without carl kiekhaefer, the companys founder, there is no mercury. Mercury outboards, 30 hp and less, are made by tohatsu in japan. To achieve his obsession of making mercury the largest manufacturer of marine propulsion in the world, he would sacrifice almost anything.
Elmer carl mercury june 4, 1906 october 5, 1983 was the owner of kiekhaefer mercury later mercury marine and kiekhaefer aeromarine and also a twotime nascar championship car owner. Kiekhaefer mercury vintage outboard motor service manuals are available for immediate download. Jan 07, 20 the son of mercury founder carl kiekhaefer, fred took over the family company, kiekhaefer aeromarine in 1983, when his father passed away. No, he planned on slinging magnetic separators to the dairy industry, but fate intervened. Mercury marines primary business is outboard motors. The corporate name was changed to mercury marine, and merc snowmobiles hung around for a few more years.
Jeff lives in fort lauderdale with his wife, karine, awardwinning photographer of the classic mahogany boasts and classic race boats calendars, and their twin children. It all started back in 1939, when carl kiekhaefer built the first mercury outboard in a small machine shop in wisconsin. People who are born with mercury as the ruling planet have communication skills, intellect and cleverness. Carl kiekhaefer started kiekhaefer aeromarine and focused on marine racing. If you have a dirty old paper copy of this manual or a pdf copy of this manual on your computer and it crashed we can help. Find great deals on ebay for kiekhaefer and mercury mark.
Listen to these stories from chuck larson, who worked. The lives of carl kiekhaefer, reveals the breathtaking life of the founder of mercury marine. Of the many legends surrounding mercury marine and its founder carl kiekhaefer, perhaps the greatest was a story that grew from legend to lore, quickly spreading through fond du lac and sweeping across the marine industry and beyond. Working as a mercury lake x test boat driver for carl kiekhaefer. The linked data service provides access to commonly found standards and vocabularies promulgated by the library of congress. The story was told so many times that it appeared in such publications as readers digest and boys life.
During this time, mercury produced snowmobiles, like many other companies in the late 1960s. The lives of carl kiekhaefer sixty years old in 1999, mercury marine is the most recognized mane in the marine. In astrology, mercury is the planet that rules our mindset. Rodengen is destined to join the bestselling ranks with jeffs other nautical best sellers, the legend of chris craft, evenrude johnson and the legend of omc, serving the silent service. The kiekhaefer corporation merged with the brunswick corporation in 1961. You can read more about carl kiekhaefer in russ hamiltons book full jewelled. Jeffs best selling titles include, the legend of chriscraft, the legend of mercury marine and the rerelease of iron fist, the lives of carl kiekhaefer. When he died, fred inherited the thenstruggling company in the early 1980s. The lives of carl kiekhaefer reveals the breathtaking life of the indomitable founder of mercury marine. Timeline of mercury marine on its 75th anniversary.
Pronunciation of kiekhaefer with 1 audio pronunciation, 1 meaning and more for kiekhaefer. After twenty years armchair racers read in awe of his determination, expertise and sportsmanship. Elmer carl mercury june 4, 1906 october 5, 1983 was the owner of kiekhaefer mercury later mercury marine and kiekhaefer aeromarine and also a. Carl kiekhaefer had a ruling planet of mercury and has a ruling planet of mercury and by astrological associations wednesday is ruled by mercury. His manic genius found outlet in greater speed, more features, and high value. Carl heinrich august kiekhaefer was born circa 1844, at birth place, to johann kiekhaefer and sophia kiekhaefer.
Second part of the marine outboard boat motor maker mercury kiekhaefer. Carl kiekhaefer historical records and family trees. May 22, 2018 there are many wisconsonites who claim to have been the altar boy at famed football coach, vince lombardis, wedding. Mercury serial numbers are usually found on an id tag on the engine mounting bracket. Mercury marine s primary business is outboard motors. Carl kiekhaefer resigned as president of kiekhaefer mercury in 1969, and the name was changed to mercury marine. We should all be thankful he chose to plaster mercury outboard motors on the best car available. Kiekhaefer mercury outboard motors, k models 19401952. Brooks abernathy, who became president of kiekhaefer mercury after kiekhaefer s resignation in 1969, announces the divisions name change to mercury marine. I was 18 and fresh out of high school when i got a job at the mercury research lab where the racing headquarters were located.
While mercury marine founder carl kiekhaefers success in nascar is. The lives of carl kiekhaefer tells the story behind mercurys own rise and ultimate triumph, and reveals the mystique behind mercurys name. By 1941, the superior design of the motors he built had. How to identify mercury kiekhaefer outboard motors gone. Carl kiekhaefer is a popular entrepreneur from wisconsin. Elmer carl mercury june 4, 1906 october 5, 1983 was the owner of kiekhaefer mercury later mercury marine and kiekhaefer aeromarine and. One of the best books ever written on outboards is jeffrey rodengens iron fist. His obsession with success, and his legendary style made him the most extraordinary entrepreneur in the history of the industry. Mercury marine was founded by carl kiekhaefer in 1939 under the name of kiekhaefer corporation of cedarburg wi. Bednarek explained that, according to jeffrey rodengens book, the legend of mercury, carl kiekhaefer decided to leave mercury marine in 1970 upon the urging of company executives, namely brunswick president jack hanigan. Kiekhaefer was a modernday giantkiller who delighted in spoiling the welllaid plans of competition. Mercury marine has been making worldclass outboards and sterndrives for more than 75 years, with locations, employees, and dealers all around the world. The memory of its founder, carl kiekhaefer, lives on in the hearts and minds of engineers and boat. He founded his company after buying an outboard motor manufacturer, rebuilding their defective engines, and selling them to montgomery ward.
According to nascars history books, elmer carl kiekhaefer, founder of mercury marine, suddenly plunged into stock car racing when he arrived at daytona. Learn about carls life, his birthday, zodiac sign, and real facts here. Since kiekhaefer s departure in 1970, mercury marine has come into its own while holding on to those qualities inherited from its founder. An unwavering commitment to quality is a mercury marine hallmark, and that characteristic has direct roots to its founder, e. Feb 01, 1990 the longawaited story of the marine industrys most celebrated personality, carl kiekhaefer, the industrial caesar of the mercury marine industry empire.
To achieve his obsession of making mercury the largest manufacturer of marine propulsion in the world, he would sacrifice. Without carl kiekhaefer, the companys founder, there is no mercury. Great book, very in depth look at the founder of mercury outboards. I worked there through half of the 1955 season and all of 1956. Rodengen the legend of mercury is a coffeetable book with excellent illustrations and a great companion to iron fist. Bednarek explained that, according to jeffrey rodengens book, the legend of mercury, carl kiekhaefer decided to leave mercury marine in. The hurricane upgraded to a pararail type suspension and got a 15 hp boost in power, and the rocket and lightning mutated into the max and sr series.
The longawaited story of the marine industrys most celebrated personality, carl kiekhaefer, the industrial caesar of the mercury marine industry empire. Brooks abernathy, who became president of kiekhaefer mercury after kiekhaefers resignation in 1969, announces the divisions name change to mercury marine. Mercury marine, founded in 1939 as kiekhaefer mercury by carl kiekhaefer, is now a division of the brunswick corporation. There are many wisconsonites who claim to have been the altar boy at famed football coach, vince lombardis, wedding. Whether its a 1940 k1 or a 1979 merc 2000, the identification of a mercury kiekhaefer outboard motor depends more on the model number than on any other factor, including appearance. Mercury marine originated from the efforts of elmer carl e. Carl kiekhaefer, the industrial caesar of the mercury marine industry empire. The longawaited story of the marine industrys most celebrated personality, car. Elmer carl kiekhaefer june 4, 1906 october 5, 1983 was the owner of kiekhaefer mercury later mercury marine and kiekhaefer aeromarine and also a twotime nascar championship car owner. An equal number of men claim to have worked for, and been fired by, carl kiekhaefer, founder of mercury marine.
Mercury marine mark engine bone yard kiekhaefer mark. Not only were his inventions and marketing strategies novel but you see them emulated today across many different industries at every scale. Kiekhaefer had little intention of becoming a giant in the yachting industry when he purchased a manufacturing plant near his familys wisconsin farm in 1939. The lives of carl kiekhaefer tells the story behind mercury s own rise and ultimate triumph, and reveals the mystique behind mercury s name.