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Mercury
Marine Vintage Films Compilation DVD
By Greg Terzian
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Most motorsport enthusiasts are alike in many ways, regardless of the sport.
One of those ways is the interest in the history and development of the
sport that we all enjoy. Boating enthusiasts are no different, and we
frequently jump at the rare opportunity to read the pages of an old boat or
engine catalog, view race photos, or even converse with race veterans right
on our own forums – all in an effort to learn about the trials and
accomplishments of the people and machines that forged the development of
performance boating today.
For those of you that are interested in outboard engine history, Mercury
Marine has released what could be the Holy Grail of video compilations – all
on one DVD that is now available. I first saw this film footage at Mercury’s
media dinner at the Miami Boat Show, and I was immediately drawn to it.
Images of Mercury Mark 75 engines being run, taken apart, and tested
prompted me to ask Mercury’s Senior Marketing Director, Rick Mackie if this
material was somehow available. Rick mentioned it would be on a DVD film
compilation soon. Well, having just viewed this disc, I can say that it will
not disappoint.
The DVD, titled “Vintage Films, Volume 2, presented by the Mercury Film
Archives” features almost two hours of transferred 16mm film footage with
the original commentary from Lake X testing, races, marathon runs, and over
twenty commercials – most presented in their original color. The collection
is divided into seven chapters which contain the following:
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“50,000 Miles by Outboard” – Mercury’s Mark 75 Lake X endurance
marathon.| |
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“Seine Insanity” – Hundreds of outboard engine powerboats
compete in Paris, France at the Seine River Marathon. |
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"World’s Fastest Outboard” – Carl Kiekhaefer receives the “Man
of the Year” award after the Mercury Mark 75 sets a new outboard
speed record in 1958. |
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“Racing Champions Afloat” – Inboard hydroplanes compete
feverishly for the Silver Cup at Detroit’s Yacht Club. |
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“Winnebagoland Outboard Marathon” – 285 outboards competing in
one race at Riverside Park in Neehah, Wisconsin. |
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“The Bahamas 500” – In 1968, offshore race champion Odell Lewis
takes you on a tour of the boats, the engines, and the strategy
that makes champions at the Bahamas 500 Offshore Race. |
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“Vintage Commercials” – Twenty vintage Mercury commercials from
the 1950’s to the 1970’s. |
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This film compilation commemorates Mercury’s sixty-fifth anniversary, and it
contains a never before seen historical account of behind the scenes testing
at the famous Lake X marathon run. Highlighted is the actual endurance run
of the two six-cylinder Mercury Mark 75 outboard engines, as well as
supervised engine teardowns by the United States Auto Club, and more. This
segment alone is justifies the $18 price of the DVD, and the film footage is
remarkably clear and vibrant. This was without a doubt, my favorite chapter
on the disc.
Overall audio and video quality is excellent, and the original commentary
and title screens really add to the vintage appeal of this collection.
Running a total of 105 minutes, there is enough footage contained on the
disc to give it a high replay value for sure.
You can purchase “Vintage Films, Volume 2” at Mercury Marine’s
Dock Store right online. Visit Mercury Marine online at
www.mercurymarine.com
for for complete information on Mercury's outboard and stern drive engines
as well as other Dock Store products.
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