Difference between revisions of "Speed Queen"
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| − | Speed Queen boats were manufactured by the Marine Division of The Glastex Co. | + | Speed Queen Boats |
| − | in Tinley Park, Illinois from 1953 to 1958. In 1958, Glastex expanded operations to | + | |
| − | include a location in Monmouth, IL. At the time, The Glastex Co. produced | + | Glastex Co. |
| − | six boats per day and had 22 employees (Chicago Tribune, March 31, 1958). | + | |
| − | Boats were constructed by hand-laid fiberglass sheets in prepared molds and | + | 6101 W. 147th St. |
| − | reinforced with aluminum stringers. | + | |
| + | Tinley Park, Illinois | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | & | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | 600 W. Tenth Ave. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Monmouth, Illinois | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | Speed Queen boats were manufactured by the Marine Division of The Glastex Co. in Tinley Park, Illinois from 1953 to 1958. In 1958, Glastex expanded operations to include a location in Monmouth, IL. This resulted from a merge with The Monelle Corporation of Monmouth. At the time, The Glastex Co. produced | ||
| + | six boats per day and had 22 employees (Chicago Tribune, March 31, 1958). Neil W. Ekblaw was president of Monelle Corp. This merger added 150,000 sq. ft. of production space. Monelle had built "North Star" Boats before the merger and had been around since at least October 1954. Production was planned to be about 6,000 boats per year with three 14' to 20' sizes and in 14 models. Boats were constructed by hand-laid fiberglass sheets in prepared molds and reinforced with aluminum stringers and plywood frames. | ||
<br><br> | <br><br> | ||
| − | William J. Horvath, the owner of The Glastex Co. and designer of the Speed | + | William J. Horvath, the owner of The Glastex Co. and designer of the Speed Queen line of fiberglass boats, sold the business to Felt Enterprises in 1961 |
| − | Queen line of fiberglass boats, sold the business to Felt Enterprises in 1961 | + | who in turn changed the name to [[Sea Sprite]] in 1963 (Lee Wangstad. "Breath of Fresh Air." Boating World: June 2002). Beginning in 1968, Glastex produced [[Sea Star|Sea Star Boats]]. |
| − | who in turn changed the name to [[Sea Sprite]] in 1963 (Lee Wangstad. "Breath of | ||
| − | Fresh Air." Boating World: June 2002). Beginning in 1968, Glastex produced [[Sea Star|Sea Star Boats]]. | ||
<br><br> | <br><br> | ||
| − | From 1953 to 1956, only one 14' "Center Deck" model was offered. In 1957, a 14' | + | From 1953 to 1956, only one 14' "Center Deck" model was offered. In 1957, a 14' "Walk-Thru" model was added. 1958 brought a 14' "Ski Queen" utility and |
| − | "Walk-Thru" model was added. 1958 brought a 14' "Ski Queen" utility and | + | two 16' models, a "Walk Thru" and "Ski Queen" utility. Finally in 1959, three 15' and two 18' Cruisette models were added, bringing to ten the total number |
| − | two 16' models, a "Walk Thru" and "Ski Queen" utility. Finally in 1959, three | + | of models produced. Little information has yet been uncovered for 1961, but apparently all new models were offered for 1961 and '62, all lacking the |
| − | 15' and two 18' Cruisette models were added, bringing to ten the total number | ||
| − | of models produced. Little information has yet been uncovered for 1961, but | ||
| − | apparently all new models were offered for 1961 and '62, all lacking the | ||
fiberglass center deck or molded-in seats of the seats of the earlier models. | fiberglass center deck or molded-in seats of the seats of the earlier models. | ||
| − | + | <br><br> | |
| − | |||
In 1960, an 18' Speed Queen equipped with a Volvo I/O left Chicago's Michigan Ave. Bridge for a trip down the Mississippi River. Aboard were William Horvath (president), Charles Oehert (employee), and a Swedish engineer from Volvo to assess the motor's performance (April 1960 Boat & Motor Dealer). | In 1960, an 18' Speed Queen equipped with a Volvo I/O left Chicago's Michigan Ave. Bridge for a trip down the Mississippi River. Aboard were William Horvath (president), Charles Oehert (employee), and a Swedish engineer from Volvo to assess the motor's performance (April 1960 Boat & Motor Dealer). | ||
Revision as of 16:45, 27 November 2015
Speed Queen Boats
Glastex Co.
6101 W. 147th St.
Tinley Park, Illinois
&
600 W. Tenth Ave.
Monmouth, Illinois
Speed Queen boats were manufactured by the Marine Division of The Glastex Co. in Tinley Park, Illinois from 1953 to 1958. In 1958, Glastex expanded operations to include a location in Monmouth, IL. This resulted from a merge with The Monelle Corporation of Monmouth. At the time, The Glastex Co. produced
six boats per day and had 22 employees (Chicago Tribune, March 31, 1958). Neil W. Ekblaw was president of Monelle Corp. This merger added 150,000 sq. ft. of production space. Monelle had built "North Star" Boats before the merger and had been around since at least October 1954. Production was planned to be about 6,000 boats per year with three 14' to 20' sizes and in 14 models. Boats were constructed by hand-laid fiberglass sheets in prepared molds and reinforced with aluminum stringers and plywood frames.
William J. Horvath, the owner of The Glastex Co. and designer of the Speed Queen line of fiberglass boats, sold the business to Felt Enterprises in 1961
who in turn changed the name to Sea Sprite in 1963 (Lee Wangstad. "Breath of Fresh Air." Boating World: June 2002). Beginning in 1968, Glastex produced Sea Star Boats.
From 1953 to 1956, only one 14' "Center Deck" model was offered. In 1957, a 14' "Walk-Thru" model was added. 1958 brought a 14' "Ski Queen" utility and
two 16' models, a "Walk Thru" and "Ski Queen" utility. Finally in 1959, three 15' and two 18' Cruisette models were added, bringing to ten the total number
of models produced. Little information has yet been uncovered for 1961, but apparently all new models were offered for 1961 and '62, all lacking the
fiberglass center deck or molded-in seats of the seats of the earlier models.
In 1960, an 18' Speed Queen equipped with a Volvo I/O left Chicago's Michigan Ave. Bridge for a trip down the Mississippi River. Aboard were William Horvath (president), Charles Oehert (employee), and a Swedish engineer from Volvo to assess the motor's performance (April 1960 Boat & Motor Dealer).
The Milwaukee Sentinel - Jul 26, 1955 Dealer Ad
The Milwaukee Sentinel - Aug 28, 1958 Dealer Ad
Some History
Glastex history from a 1978 Sea Star brochure
Model Information
1954 to 1962 Speed Queen models
1955? Information
Speed Queen in a 1955? Mercury promotional photo
1956 Brochure
1956 Brochure, Page 1
1956 Brochure, Page 2
1956 Brochure, Page 3
1956 Brochure, Page 4
1957 Brochure
1957 Brochure, Page 1
1957 Brochure, Page 2
1957 Brochure, Page 3
1957 Brochure, Page 4
1958 Stuff
Promotional Flyer
Promotional Flyer
Promotional Flyer
Promotional Flyer
1958 Article
1959 Stuff
1959 Brochure, Page 1
1959 Brochure, Page 2
1959 Brochure, Page 3
1959 Brochure, Page 4
1959 Brochure, Page 5
1959 Brochure, Page 6
1959 Brochure, Page 7
1959 Pricelist
1959 Speed Queen Ad
Legal ruling regarding the Glastex zoning lawsuit
1960 Stuff
1960 Brochure, Page 1
1960 Brochure, Page 2
1960 Brochure, Page 3
1960 Brochure, Page 4
1960 Brochure, Page 5
1960 Brochure, Page 6
1960 Brochure, Page 7
1960 Brochure, Page 8
1960 Brochure, Page 9
1960 Advertisement
Manufacturer's ID Plate
1962 Brochure
1962 Brochure, Page 1
1962 Brochure, Page 2
1962 Brochure, Page 3
1962 Brochure, Page 4
1962 Brochure, Page 5
1962 Brochure, Page 6
1962 Brochure, Page 7
1963 Stuff
1963 Family Shot
