Difference between revisions of "Wizard (California)"

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Wizard Boats, Inc.

Costa Mesa, California

Additional plants located in Dickson, Tennessee and St. Joseph, Michigan. On December 30, 1959, Wizard was taken over by the Boat Division of Winner Manufacturing Co. and the boats marketed as "Wizard-Winner" for the 1960 model year. The Wizard Boats was originally founded by Curt Herberts, a capable, successful businessman and pioneer in the early years of the fiberglass boat industry. Thanks goes to the family of Curt Herberts Jr. for providing photos and information from the early years of Wizard Boats.

Much information is available about Wizard Boats, Inc., particularly from the early years because it was a publicly traded company with shares issued to support the business. For instance in 1950, the company turned a net profit of $20,925 in the first half of the year versus a loss of $6179 in the first half of 1949. C.A. Herberts was president at this time (July 23, 1950 Los Angeles Times).

Wizard Boats, Inc. in late 1953 landed a two-year contract to make fiberglass telephone booth domes through the Wavell Showcase & Fixture Co. of Long Beach, CA. This company made booths for many electric companies that were associated with telphone companies, including Bell, General Telephone, International Telephone & Telegraphy, and many more. Another contract was received to make fiberglass tanks for plating metals (November 6, 1953 Los Angeles Times).

In 1954, Harold Hauflaire became president of the company and the U.S. Bureau of Ships ordered 300 standard Wizard Resorter 15' boats (June 2, 1954 Los Angeles Times). Also late that year, the Michigan plant in St. Joseph began production. Boats were not molded there originally, they planned to add that capacity later in 1955 (Dec. 10, 1954 Los Angeles Times).

In 1955, Wizard received approval to build a 100x120-foot fiberglass boat manufacturing plant in Costa Mesa (Los Angeles Times, May 22, 1955).

In late 1956, Wizard Boats, Inc. was headed by Harold Haulflaire, president. As of November 7, they had a backlog of more than $500,000 in orders. About $250,000 worth was for Sea King Boats to be sold nationally through Montgomery Wards stores. The majority of these boats were to be produced out of the St. Joseph plant. Also, Wizard had a contract through Coleman Engineering of Los Angeles to produce fiberglass domes for missiles. A $271,300 Navy contract also had Wizard making molds and parts for 26' whaleboats (Los Angeles Times, November 7, 1956).

Wizard's big news in 1957 was the introduction of the 13' sporty Wizard "Wasp" runabout. Complete with tailfins, this was advertised as a deluxe sport runabout and came with two split curved windshields, all deck hardware, steering, and upholstered seats (Chicago Tribune, Feb. 8, 1957). A special "Fire-Gold" color effect was advertised for that year in addition to other regular pastel colors. This described as a gold-flecked finish for the deck of the boat (Los Angeles Times, Jan. 13, 1957).

In 1958, with a trade in stock, James S. Gallagher took over as president of Wizard Boats, Inc. from Harold Hauflaire who held that post for three years. Hauflaire had been with Wizard Boats for ten years total, previously serving as vice-president before that. Gallagher came to Wizard Boats from Interstate Engineering Corp. and was also on the board of directors of Harvill Die Casting Corp. of Los Angeles.

In 1959, Wizard advertised their re-designed new styling by Dean Myers of Newport Beach, California.

At an August 2, 1960 stockholder meeting, Wizard Boats of Tennessee Inc. officially changed its name to Winner Boats Inc. This was done partially to avoid confusion with Wizard Boats and Outboard Motors sold by Western Auto Stores which by legal action was prohibited from using the name "Wizard" on boats.

Model Information

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  1954 to 1956 Wizard models

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  1956 to 1959 Wizard models

1949 Info:

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  Wizard boat the 1949 Sportsman Show, Curt Herberts at right

1953 Info:

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  Herberts Boats on "Signal Hill" in Long Beach, California

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  Wizard boat driven by Curt Herberts Jr. in Back Bay, Newport Beach

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  Wizard boat driven by Curt Herberts Jr. in Back Bay, Newport Beach

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  Wizard boat at 1953 Sportsman Show, Curt Herberts Jr. and Virginia Herberts pictured

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  Wizard boat thrown from roof by Curt Herberts Jr. with Curt Herberts Sr. inspecting

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  Wizard boat at Boat Show, Curt Herberts Jr. on right

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  1953 Stockholders Report, cover

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  1953 Stockholders Report, inside

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  Business cards

1955 Info:

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  1955 Brochure p1

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  1955 Brochure p2

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  1955 Brochure p3

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  1955 Brochure p4

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  1955 Brochure p5

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  1955 Brochure p6

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  1955 Pricelist

1956 Info:

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  1956 Advertisement

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  1956 Wizard Utility Mercury Mark 25 test

1957 Info:

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  1957 Wizard 14' Holiday Photo

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  1957 Wizard Boats Ad

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  1957 Wizard Boats Article

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  1957 Wizard Boats Name Contest Article

1958 Info:

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  1958 Wizard 19' El Dorado Ad

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  1958 Wizard 19' El Dorado Photo

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  1958 Wizard El Dorado Article

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  1958 Wizard Boats President Article

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  1958 Wizard Navy Whaleboat Production Article

1959 Info:

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  1959 Wizard Boats Article

1960 Info:

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  1960 Brochure p1

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  1960 Brochure p2

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  1960 Brochure p3

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  1960 Brochure p4

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  1960 Brochure p5

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  1960 Brochure p6

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  1960 Brochure p7

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  1960 Brochure p8

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  1960 Brochure p9

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  1960 Brochure p10

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  1960 Brochure p11

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  1960 Brochure p12

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  1960 Brochure p13

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  1960 Brochure p14

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  1960 Brochure p15

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  1960 Brochure p16

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  1960 Brochure p17

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  1960 Brochure p18

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  1960 Brochure p19

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  1960 Brochure p20

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  1960 Wasp Ad Flyer, side 1

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  1960 Wasp Ad Flyer, side 2

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  1960 Marlin Imperial Ad Flyer, side 1

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  1960 Marlin Imperial Ad Flyer, side 2

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  1960 Wizard Baronet Mercury 700EL test

1961 Info:

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  Wizard Baronet in a 1961 article

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  Wizard Baronet in a 1961 article

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  Wizard Baronet in a 1961 article

1962 Info:

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  Misc Photo

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  1962 Bankruptcy Auction Notice of Wizard-Winner

Wizard Boats in Use

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