Difference between revisions of "Wizard (California)"

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Additional plants located in Dickson, Tennessee and St. Joesph, Michigan.  On December 30, 1959, Wizard was taken over by [[Winner|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.
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Additional plants located in Dickson, Tennessee and St. Joseph, Michigan.  On December 30, 1959, Wizard was taken over by [[Winner|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.
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In 1955, Wizard received approval to build a 100x120-foot fiberglass boat manufacturing plant in Costa Mesa (Los Angeles Times, May 22, 1955).
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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|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).
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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).
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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 [[Wizard (Western Auto)|Western Auto Stores]] which by legal action was prohibited from using the name "Wizard" on boats.
 
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 [[Wizard (Western Auto)|Western Auto Stores]] which by legal action was prohibited from using the name "Wizard" on boats.
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Revision as of 03:10, 24 June 2015

Wizardlogo.jpg


History Needed. Please contact us if you wish to contribute or edit this page.


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.


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).


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

  • 1954 to 1956 Wizard models

  • 1956 to 1959 Wizard models


1949 Info:

  • Wizard boat the 1949 Sportsman Show, Curt Herberts at right


1953 Info:

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • 1953 Stockholders Report, cover

  • 1953 Stockholders Report, inside

  • Business cards


1955 Info:

  • 1955 Brochure p1

  • 1955 Brochure p2

  • 1955 Brochure p3

  • 1955 Brochure p4

  • 1955 Brochure p5

  • 1955 Brochure p6

  • 1955 Pricelist


1956 Info:


1958 Info:

  • 1958 Wizard 19' El Dorado Ad


1960 Info:

  • 1960 Brochure p1

  • 1960 Brochure p2

  • 1960 Brochure p3

  • 1960 Brochure p4

  • 1960 Brochure p5

  • 1960 Brochure p6

  • 1960 Brochure p7

  • 1960 Brochure p8

  • 1960 Brochure p9

  • 1960 Brochure p10

  • 1960 Brochure p11

  • 1960 Brochure p12

  • 1960 Brochure p13

  • 1960 Brochure p14

  • 1960 Brochure p15

  • 1960 Brochure p16

  • 1960 Brochure p17

  • 1960 Brochure p18

  • 1960 Brochure p19

  • 1960 Brochure p20

  • 1960 Wasp Ad Flyer, side 1

  • 1960 Wasp Ad Flyer, side 2

  • 1960 Marlin Imperial Ad Flyer, side 1

  • 1960 Marlin Imperial Ad Flyer, side 2

  • 1960 Wizard Baronet Mercury 700EL test


1961 Info:

  • Wizard Baronet in a 1961 article

  • Wizard Baronet in a 1961 article

  • Wizard Baronet in a 1961 article


1962 Info:

  • Misc Photo

  • 1962 Bankruptcy Auction Notice of Wizard-Winner


Wizard Boats in Use


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