Difference between revisions of "Speed Queen"

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(Editted information section, corrected dates of the 59 and 60 brochures)
 
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[[File:Speedqueenlogo.jpg]]
 
[[File:Speedqueenlogo.jpg]]
  
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Speed Queen boats were manufactured by the Marine Division of The Glastex Co.  
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in Tinley Park, IL from 1953 to 1958. In 1958, Glastex expanded operations to  
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Additional History Needed. Please contact us to edit or contribute to this page.
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include a location in Monmouth, IL. At the time, The Glastex Co. produced   
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six boats per day and had 22 employees (Chicago Tribune, March 31, 1958).  
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Boats were constructed by hand-laid fiberglass sheets in prepared molds and
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Speed Queen Boats
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reinforced with aluminum stringers.  
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Glastex Co.
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6101 W. 147th St.
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Tinley Park, Illinois
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<br>
 +
&
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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>
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William J. Horvath, the owner of The Glastex Co. and designer of the Speed  
+
Neil W. Ekblaw was a lawyer born in Urbana, Illinois, and educated at Wesleyan University and Cornell Law. After practicing law for a few years in New York, Cleveland, and Peoria, he started his own firm, Monelle Corp. in 1952, established as president in 1953 and leaving law practice that year. The company built a variety of products from aluminum, plastic, and steel including a lawn sweeper and North Star Boats.  In addition to presidency of Monelle, he served as director of Roy G. Miller, Inc. and North Star Marine Sales. He moved to California and joined Hughes Aircraft as marketing manager for the El Segundo division of the company by 1963. Monelle Corp. had a sales office in Chicago at 10 N. Clark St.
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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).  
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1959 production began ramping up in January at the Monmouth factory with the calling up of a seasonal workforce who had been laid off for the winter.  William Clark, a business owner from Lowell, Indiana was hired as manager. Production was planned to be primarily the 16' model with some 14' model production as well. The 15' and 18' models were announced as being new additions for the year. No mention was made of the Tinley Park operation [https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/4471836/ January 28, 1959 Galesburg Register-Mail]
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 +
 
 +
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|Sea Star Boats]].
 
<br><br>
 
<br><br>
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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  
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"Walk-Thru" model was added. 1958 brought a 14' "Ski Queen" utility and  
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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  
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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  
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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).
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 +
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The Milwaukee Sentinel - Jul 26, 1955 Dealer Ad
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http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=MkYxAAAAIBAJ&sjid=6w8EAAAAIBAJ&pg=1387,3107764&dq=speed-queen+boat&hl=en
 +
 +
The Milwaukee Sentinel - Aug 28, 1958 Dealer Ad
 +
 +
http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=qXFQAAAAIBAJ&sjid=dRAEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4740,3793603&dq=speed-queen+boat&hl=en
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 +
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'''Some History'''
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<gallery>
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File:Seastarb78001.jpg|Glastex history from a 1978 Sea Star brochure
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</gallery>
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'''Model Information'''
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<gallery>
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File:Speedqueenbb001.jpg|1954 to 1962 Speed Queen models
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</gallery>
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 +
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'''1955? Information'''
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<gallery>
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File:Speedqueenpxx001.jpg| Speed Queen in a 1955? Mercury promotional photo
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</gallery>
 +
  
 
'''1956 Brochure'''
 
'''1956 Brochure'''
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File:Speedqueenb56004.jpg | 1956 Brochure, Page 4
 
File:Speedqueenb56004.jpg | 1956 Brochure, Page 4
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
 +
  
 
'''1957 Brochure'''
 
'''1957 Brochure'''
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File:Speedqueenb57004.jpg | 1957 Brochure, Page 4
 
File:Speedqueenb57004.jpg | 1957 Brochure, Page 4
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
 +
  
 
'''1958 Stuff'''
 
'''1958 Stuff'''
 
<gallery>
 
<gallery>
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File:Speedqueen58article.JPG | 1958 Article
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File:Speedqueenb58001.jpg | Promotional Flyer
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File:Speedqueenb58002.jpg | Promotional Flyer
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File:Speedqueenb58003.jpg | Promotional Flyer
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File:Speedqueenb58004.jpg | Promotional Flyer
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File:Speedqueena58001.jpg|1958 Speed Queen-Monelle Article
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File:Speedqueen58article.JPG | 1958 Speed Queen Zoning Disput Article
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
 +
  
 
'''1959 Brochure'''
 
'''1959 Brochure'''
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File:Speedqueenb59010.jpg | 1959 Pricelist
 
File:Speedqueenb59010.jpg | 1959 Pricelist
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
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 +
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'''1959 Miscellaneous'''
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<gallery>
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File:Speedqueena59001.jpg|1959 Speed Queen Ad
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File:Speedqueena59002.jpg|1959 Speed Queen 16' Ski-Queen Article
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File:Glastexlawsuitruling.pdf| Legal ruling regarding the Glastex zoning lawsuit
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</gallery>
 +
  
 
'''1960 Stuff'''
 
'''1960 Stuff'''
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File:Speedqueenid60001.JPG | Manufacturer's ID Plate
 
File:Speedqueenid60001.JPG | Manufacturer's ID Plate
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
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'''1962 Brochure'''
 
'''1962 Brochure'''
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File:Speedqueenb62007.jpg | 1962 Brochure, Page 7
 
File:Speedqueenb62007.jpg | 1962 Brochure, Page 7
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
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'''1963 Stuff'''
 
'''1963 Stuff'''
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File:Speedqueens63001.jpg | 1963 Family Shot
 
File:Speedqueens63001.jpg | 1963 Family Shot
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
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[http://www.fiberglassics.com/index.php?searchword=Speed+Queen&ordering=newest&searchphrase=exact&Itemid=88&option=com_search Speed Queen Boats in Use]
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[[Main_Page|Back to Main Page]]
 
[[Main_Page|Back to Main Page]]
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[[Category:Illinois]]
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[[Category:Fiberglass]]

Latest revision as of 17:59, 6 November 2016

Speedqueenlogo.jpg


Additional History Needed. Please contact us to edit or contribute to this page.


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.

Neil W. Ekblaw was a lawyer born in Urbana, Illinois, and educated at Wesleyan University and Cornell Law. After practicing law for a few years in New York, Cleveland, and Peoria, he started his own firm, Monelle Corp. in 1952, established as president in 1953 and leaving law practice that year. The company built a variety of products from aluminum, plastic, and steel including a lawn sweeper and North Star Boats. In addition to presidency of Monelle, he served as director of Roy G. Miller, Inc. and North Star Marine Sales. He moved to California and joined Hughes Aircraft as marketing manager for the El Segundo division of the company by 1963. Monelle Corp. had a sales office in Chicago at 10 N. Clark St.


1959 production began ramping up in January at the Monmouth factory with the calling up of a seasonal workforce who had been laid off for the winter. William Clark, a business owner from Lowell, Indiana was hired as manager. Production was planned to be primarily the 16' model with some 14' model production as well. The 15' and 18' models were announced as being new additions for the year. No mention was made of the Tinley Park operation January 28, 1959 Galesburg Register-Mail


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

http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=MkYxAAAAIBAJ&sjid=6w8EAAAAIBAJ&pg=1387,3107764&dq=speed-queen+boat&hl=en

The Milwaukee Sentinel - Aug 28, 1958 Dealer Ad

http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=qXFQAAAAIBAJ&sjid=dRAEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4740,3793603&dq=speed-queen+boat&hl=en


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 Speed Queen-Monelle Article

  • 1958 Speed Queen Zoning Disput Article


1959 Brochure

  • 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 Miscellaneous

  • 1959 Speed Queen Ad

  • 1959 Speed Queen 16' Ski-Queen Article

  • 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


Speed Queen Boats in Use


Back to Main Page

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