Gray Marine Engine
Encyclopedia
Gray Marine Motor Company was an important marine engine builder. It built gasoline engines ranging from one to six cylinders in both gas and later diesel layouts which were used in pleasure and work boats.
Gray was an American firm, based in Detroit from 1901 until the 1970s. Many fishing boats, lobsterboats, tugs and pleasure craft used Gray engines. Boats were usually of small size, ranging from 12 to 32 feet. Gray also produced a line of outboard motors with the unique drive right angle curved shaft. Many of their engines were marinized truck motors from Hercules, Studebaker, Pontiac, Continental orGM 71.
Gray Marine started as the Michigan Yacht and Power Company by O. Mulford in 1892 and was a dealer for the Sintz
gas engine, one of the first marine engines. It bought out Sintz in 1902. Michigan ventured into automobile engines andwas re-branded Gray Motor Company about 1910 by O. Mulford and his banker partners Gray. Within a few years there were building 7000 engines a year. Some would go into
World War I
lifeboats, and others would be used for pump units for Western Front trench service. These were called Victory motors. The company went on to build the Z motor for automobiles in the 1920s
The Company worked for over fifty years, building engines for fishboats, cruisers and World War II
Landing Craft, and the famed Higgins Boats. During WW II Gray Marine built 100 Gm style 71 Diesels A DAY using GM cylinder blocks.
Gray was an American firm, based in Detroit from 1901 until the 1970s. Many fishing boats, lobsterboats, tugs and pleasure craft used Gray engines. Boats were usually of small size, ranging from 12 to 32 feet. Gray also produced a line of outboard motors with the unique drive right angle curved shaft. Many of their engines were marinized truck motors from Hercules, Studebaker, Pontiac, Continental orGM 71.
Gray Marine started as the Michigan Yacht and Power Company by O. Mulford in 1892 and was a dealer for the Sintz
Sintz
The Sintz was an American automobile manufactured from 1899 to 1904. Products of the Sintz Gas Engine Company of Grand Rapids, Michigan, cars came in numerous different styles; the company also produced rail cars and light trams. All were powered by an own-make two-stroke engine....
gas engine, one of the first marine engines. It bought out Sintz in 1902. Michigan ventured into automobile engines andwas re-branded Gray Motor Company about 1910 by O. Mulford and his banker partners Gray. Within a few years there were building 7000 engines a year. Some would go into
World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
lifeboats, and others would be used for pump units for Western Front trench service. These were called Victory motors. The company went on to build the Z motor for automobiles in the 1920s
The Company worked for over fifty years, building engines for fishboats, cruisers and World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
Landing Craft, and the famed Higgins Boats. During WW II Gray Marine built 100 Gm style 71 Diesels A DAY using GM cylinder blocks.