Re: Unusual Question about Chrysler
In the mid 1960s, Chrysler corporation which always had a reputation for inboard marine engines decided that it wanted a marque for outboards too. It bought out West Bend engines in Wisconsin and then bought Lone Star boats. Initially, no changes other than cosmetic were made to the engines but a team was assembled to design new boats. During this time period, Chrysler did start to develop modern design crossflow engines but ran into trouble in the 1980s.
Fast forward to the 1980s. Chrysler corp was in trouble and under Lee Iococca, a bail out by the federal govt. was arranged. Under the terms of this bail out, Chrysler was to divest itself of everything except its core automotive business. Chrysler outboard division found a buyer at the last minute in AMF Brunswick which made Bayliner among other things. The name was changed to Force. Initially, the only changes were badging. Everything else from paint color to shrouding remained the same.
Later on, Either Mercury--I can't spell Keikshaefer--bought AMF or AMF bought Merc. At any rate, Force engines were now made by merc which started to make changes then decided to drop the line.
SO: Chrysler outboards and Chrysler cars were one and the same company.
