I suppose It is possible ten thousand were produced, but I doubt it. 1929, despite it’s bad reputation as being the start of an economic collapse, was a boom year for outboard production. Johnson had a record year in 1929 producing 31,591 motors. Other companies were less forthright in production numbers, not wanting to seem second best. Elto was second with Evinrude (With an infusion from Briggs & Stratton) catching up. New models from Lockwood were giving fourth place Caille Fits. OMC’s formation in 29 combining Elto, Evinrude and Lockwood doubled the number of outboards produced by Johnson. Although none of the three divisions individually equalled it.

Dad was one of the executive branch and got a share of the ’29 business years profits. His check from Ole Evinrude was one thousand dollars. Our family lived off that for three years, because there were no profits for those following years. Because Ole was loyal to the small bank that had stood by him when times were tough, it honored his checks when other banks closed there doors. When the bank failed, Dad was going over the check book to see how much we had lost. He asked mom about the check not being listed. Had mom deposited the check in dads account, it would have been lost. Mom admitted to forgetting to depositing it and said she would do it in the morning. Dad replied she couldn’t because the bank had closed, and gave her a big kiss for being forgetful. . . . 😀

Garry, great story.
Most Americans today have no idea how hard times were during the depression, and again during WWII.
Thanks for sharing it with us.
Bob D