How Many 1962 Evinrude Lark IV 40 HP Outboard Motors Were Produced?
Determining the precise production numbers for a specific model year and horsepower of a vintage outboard motor like the 1962 Evinrude Lark IV 40 HP is incredibly difficult, if not impossible. Unfortunately, Outboard Marine Corporation (OMC), the parent company of Evinrude, didn't meticulously record production figures for individual models in the way that, say, car manufacturers did. Their records, even if they existed comprehensively, are likely fragmented or lost to time.
This makes answering the question of exactly how many 1962 Evinrude Lark IV 40 HP outboards were produced a challenge. There's no central database or readily available document providing this specific information.
However, we can explore some avenues that might offer clues, albeit indirect ones:
Where to Look for Potential Clues (But No Guarantees!)
- OMC Archives (if accessible): If OMC still maintains archives, contacting them directly (if they are open to such inquiries) could be a long shot, but potentially fruitful. However, accessing such archives, if they exist and contain this data, is likely to be challenging.
- Vintage Outboard Clubs and Forums: Joining or contacting online communities dedicated to vintage Evinrude outboards is a good idea. Enthusiasts often share knowledge, and someone might have stumbled upon historical production data or anecdotal information hinting at production numbers. These communities often have members who've dedicated themselves to researching the history of specific models.
- Evinrude Historical Societies (if they exist): There may be historical societies focused on Evinrude or OMC products that might possess relevant documents or information.
- Old Sales Brochures and Catalogs: While these won't give precise production numbers, they can give you a sense of the model's popularity and market positioning within the Evinrude line. This could provide a very rough, qualitative estimation.
Why Precise Figures Are Elusive:
Several factors contribute to the difficulty in finding precise production figures:
- Record-Keeping Practices: Manufacturing practices in the 1960s differed from today's. Data collection and archival methods weren't as sophisticated.
- Multiple Production Runs: Production might have taken place in batches or waves throughout the year, making accurate overall tallying challenging.
- Variations Within Models: There might have been subtle variations within the "1962 Evinrude Lark IV 40 HP" designation, making accurate accounting even harder (e.g., different serial number ranges).
In Conclusion:
While finding the exact number of 1962 Evinrude Lark IV 40 HP outboards manufactured remains a significant challenge due to the limitations of historical record-keeping, exploring the resources mentioned above might yield some intriguing insights into the model's production and history. But expecting a definitive answer is unlikely.
