Now that the Johnson plant is gone. most people will have no idea what an illustrious history and engineering expertise, that was conducted on that hollowed ground.

@000distructzero

Жыл бұрын

I don't live too far away, I make it down there now and then. Walking around you'd never even know those buildings were there :(

Back in the day when just hanging out in a little boat was good enough...none of that fancy technology... quality started from the time the mold was cast.... boy what happened to those days ???

My friend's outboard shop still has dozens of OMC motors from the 1950's and 60's. A typical motor will cost around $400, or the same dollar figure they sold for back when they were new. That $400 price tag would be equivalent to $2,000 today - the average working man was fortunate to earn $200 a week. Yeah, $10 Grand annually was a decent living; you could support a family and be a homeowner with that kind of money.

My 1981 Johnson is still turn key start after hundreds of hours, plus many months of storage. While on a business trip to Chicago I drove up and saw the old OMC plant in Waukegan. Sad.

the good old days

That’s amazing! Completely American made

back when you could buy truly made in America marine engines.

@Derelichubentertainment

3 жыл бұрын

Back when outboards lasted forever

@AtomicReverend

3 жыл бұрын

Yeah since watching this (probably about the same time I watched this video) I have bought a 1952 Johnson QD-13 10 horse outboard. It runs like a good sewing machine very smooth and does really good on a 12 foot aluminum boat. Little smokey by modern standards even for a 2 stroke but such a great engine. I can't believe this company went under, I remember growing up in the 1980s and every fishing boat had a Johnson and every pleasure boat seemed to have its larger twin the Evinrude.

@Three_Random_Words

Жыл бұрын

Mercury engines of about 75hp and up are still made in Wisconsin. Or is it Michigan? Used all over the world.

One of those workers could've been well been my dad. He started there in 1953. Retired in 86.

My 1955 CD 12 still runs gr8

2:41, all American made!

Those 2 maybe fourteen year old kids have images of their youth when it was very difficult have access to a camera,today is so easy with the technology

I'm running a 55 10hp on my boat now! these motors where made right!

@bjbell52

4 жыл бұрын

I about one made in 1935. This was around 1973 and it worked just well.

@jasondean3332

3 жыл бұрын

I’m still running my 1943 waterwitch 571-44

That was when you could by an new outboard for around three to for hundred dollars, now outboards go for fifteen to twenty thousand on the low end,the higher the horsepower the more expensive it gets.

@RonMillbrae

4 жыл бұрын

Nope. You're wrong. Prices converted to nowadays currency is about 2500 for a 290 dollar motor. The older motors are either just as expensive or more expensive. Don't get me wrong, I would never buy a new motor of this era because the older omc's are better. And the higher the HP means a higher price that's how it works. You can get a 9.9 hp for 2300

Three thousand employees

Omc is the best

@melrose9252

6 жыл бұрын

Mike Soresina You migy say was the best. They went bankrupt.

@bjbell52

4 жыл бұрын

@@melrose9252 BECAUSE they moved the entire operation to Georgia so that they could 1) break the union and 2) so they could pay their never workers under half of what we made in Waukegan. The workers in Georgia didn't have the skill or training plus $4 - $5 an hour doesn't give the incentive $12 - $15 an hour gives.

Even though it’s 53 years old I still love tugging on my Johnson!

@braised44

7 ай бұрын

Ha Ha 😂😂

Just got my hands on a 59 fat fifty seahorse, I’m gonna do my damndest to get it started

@ 2:44 I thought Flipper was going to appear.

1:20 "has made our standard of living the envy of the word" correction: the government allowed that by applying blanket import tariffs on goods to preserve our economy. now, the government taxes us small business owners on everything!!!

Now Yamaha, what happened? :(

Most people don’t realize that Yamaha Marine stoke many of Evinrude’s designs . Yamaha makes a great product but we’re far from being an innovative company. They are much like Toyota ain’t that they used other companies designs and produced them cheaply with good quality control.

2000 O.M.C r.i.p and 2020 EVINRUDE unfortunately...

Japan stole patents from OMC...now China steals Japans ideas.

@bjbell52

4 жыл бұрын

This is true, I saw it happen. OMC gave Japanese engineers a total tour of the plant.

@MitzvosGolem1

7 ай бұрын

Now China stealing from Japan.. Crazy

And now the former plant is a shopping mall and affordable housing.

@jr1434

2 жыл бұрын

The main plant has a giant geo-tube of pcb sludge which was collected from the land and nearby harbor. You can see it on an google.map aerial. Seahorse Dr Waukegan IL. Cool video though.

@jr1434

2 жыл бұрын

There is no shopping mall or affordable housing...land is vacant

No mention of the PCB's but I'm sure they were spilling on the floor and going into Lake Michigan. Waukegan was later declared one of the most polluted sites in the U.S.. The people who ran the factory knew of the dangers of what they were doing but cared more about money than anything else.

When America still had a stong industry. All sold out. Gone.