See full version: Chart: Timeline of Mercury Marine on its 75th anniversary
Elmer Carl Kiekhaefer purchases the bankrupt Cedarburg (Wis.) Manufacturing Co., intending to build magnetic separators for dairy farms. He redesigns and repairs 300 outboards abandoned by previous owners, sells the motors and finds himself in the outboard motor business. The next year, the Mercury brand is introduced with five engine models.
The 10-horsepower Mercury Lightning is introduced at the New York Boat Show. Touting "Full-Jeweled Power," the motor boasts the most horsepower per pound ever. here
The world's first four-in-line two-cycle outboard, the Mercury Thunderbolt, is introduced. more
Re: 60HP Mercury Outboard Serial Number - Year? more
Looks like an 1989. A 1986 would start with 0A197392. You could go to mercurypartsexpress.com and use these serial numbers to check if the part numbers are the same.
Andy, I just realized that you are from Canada. The maxrules.com list differant serial numbers for Canadian models, but none match. Also mercurypartsexpress does not accept that number as well. here
So my info appears to be wrong. [links]
Original 2001 Mercury Mariner 50-60HP Factory Service Manual. 2001 (01) Mercury-Mariner models 50 HP (50HP) & 60 HP (60HP) 4-Stroke (Four Stroke) Outboard Engines With Serial Numbers 0T178500 and Above >> [links]
Models covered: Mercury/Mariner >> more
Original Mercury Mariner Service manual covers the following models: V-250 >>
Original Mercury Service manual covers the following models: MODELS: 105/140 JET, 135, 150, 175, 200, 225 >>
Workshop Repair Manual for your MERCURY or MARINER Outboard Motors - NOT a Seloc manual. This is the best manual you can find to repair your outboard motor. This repair manual will guide you in any steps from maintenance to more complicated steps like rebuilding the engine >>
The Mercury Marine serial number 0B308972 refers to a 60 horsepower, three-cylinder outboard motor manufactured in 1988. The motor's model number is 1060312BD, and its catalog number is 16404. [links]
Mercury Marine is a division of the Brunswick Corporation, which primarily manufactures engines for small boats. The company was founded in 1939 by Carl Kiekhaefer in Cedarburg, Wisconsin, and it has grown to be the world's leading builder of marine propulsion systems. Headquartered in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, Mercury produces engines that are designed for personal, commercial and government use. In addition, Mercury Racing, the company's racing division, focuses on powerboat racing and high-performance marine products. more