Belmont Registry Directory 1956-1965 click on photo to see more photos

1956 Runabout

Chrysler Hemi 331,4 barrel carb,

Halibrand V-Drive

1956 Little Fury II

16' Belmont “Little Fury II” Runabout powered by a 270 hp Chevrolet Corvette Tri-Carb V-8

John & Maryann Baird

Lake Tahoe, NV

1956 Louie Louie

16 feet, Chevrolet 283 engine, $35K

Providence, Utah

1956 Runabout

Kingman, AZ

1957 17' Runabout

365 Cadillac (2) 4 barrel carbs Belmont

1958 Runabout

365 Cadillac 4 barrel carb 310 HP $15K

Lee Wheeler

Coeur D'Alene, Idaho

1958 16' Runabout

16' Runabout, (6) 1 barrel carbs, Buick

David Giacomino

Statesville, North Carolina

1958 16' Maybe?

Correct shape, lift off engine cover, cavitation plate, size, v-drive, port steering. No logo, bow is a different design, no exposed wood. You be the judge.

1958 The Liberty Bel'

Cadillac

Marty Carollo

1958 Drag Boat

Purple People Eater

Allison V-12, 20 feet, 1,500 HP

Smitty Weeks

Fresno, California

1958 The Shark

Chrysler 413 Wedge, was this boat inspired by the Chris Craft Cobra or Racing? Two were made.

Fresno, California

1958 The Shark

Chrysler 413 Wedge, was this boat inspired by the Chris Craft Cobra or Racing? Two were made and one was destroyed.

Fresno, California

1959 17' Runabout

Chevrolet 327, V-Drive

Steele Smith

1959 Apache X

Cadillac 365

Ed & Deborah Scott

Northern California/Lake Tahoe

1959 Runabout

Unknown Belmont

1959 100K

Glass over mahogany featuring a 429ci Crusader Cadillac V8 with 2 hours on the motor. Only on the water 3 times since finishing About $100K invested with receipts to verify. Most work done by Sierra Boat Company in North Shore Lake Tahoe. Motor rebuilt by Mid County Auto in Santa Cruz Ca.

1959 Splash-O-Glass

Olds Rocket V8, V-Drive

1959 Barn Find

Unknown Belmont

1959 5K

This boat was listed on Facebook which according to the add is a 1959 Belmont built in Fresno and has been stored for 30 years outside. Owner has 4 Belmonts some in better condition. Looks like another Belmont is sitting behind this one. Has a Ford Y Block.

1959? Barn Find

True Barn Find that had been sitting since 1975 covered by traps. Has a Cadillac 365 and Glenwood Marine gear. Can you guess the year?

Jeff Jones

1959 17'

Myers Family

1960 Sea Witch

Being restored

1962(?) Runabout

Unknown Belmont

1962 Hot Rod Lincoln

Lincoln engine

Lake Tahoe, NV

1963

True Barn Find that had been sitting some time.

Myers Family

1963 Usain Boat

390 Cadillac 4 barrel carb, Casale V-Drive, first non barrel back design inspired by the Purple People Eater

Alan & Liz Wardsworth

Spokane Valley, WA

1964 Runabout

BBC 454, V-Drive

Smitty Weeks

Fresno, CA

1965 Runabout

All fiberglass build started 1965 with engine moved forward

Sonora, CA

1965 Runabout

468 Big Block Chevy, V-Drive, 520 HP

Dave and Heide Minegar

Meridian, Idaho

How do tell if it's a Belmont? All Belmont runabouts from 1956-1964 had mahogany frames with 3/8"marine plywood covering. Then were finished with a 3 oz fiberglass which allowed the woodgrain to be exposed. From 1956-58 when runabouts started production they measured 16 feet and had a pretty tall hull from the waterline up to the gunwale. They also had a removable engine covers that had a pair arched handles and carburetor(s) sitting above the cover sometimes showing off a chrome scoop. When the Shark appeared on the scene in early 1958 the bow was lengthened to give the runabouts a length of 19-6 slightly dipping and flatter overall. The width of the boat was increased and gunwale was lowered. Engine cover usually had one pivot point although some were converted to clamshell to reduce the weight. In about 1964 the second seating area was removed and engine compartment was opened up to provide easy ski access. The barrel back design was scraped for a more tranditional design but made a reappearance in 1967. In 1965 Belmont moved to all fiberglass layup. Early Belmonts had Cadillac power with one, two, and three carb setups. Ford, Chrysler, and big block Chevrolet were all used. Hildebrand, Glenwood, and Nicson were common parts suppliers although Belmont did have some parts made for them as did many manufactures in the Fresno, CA area. Helms were usually on the left side, had 4 air scoops, Stewart Warner gauges, Casale V-Drives, exhaust above the waterline, and cavitation plate. Prices have ranged from $500 parts boat, $3000 barn find, $35,000 all original runner, to the Shark(s) who's value could be very high. There are between 5-7 being restored at this time, a couple tucked away in peoples shops and there are an estimated 45-66 runabouts made by Smitty Weeks between 1956-1966 before jet boats were exclusively built until 1985. Belmont Production 30 known built, estimated from 1956-66 to be about 65 produced. 1956 - 4, 1957 - 1, 1958 - 7 (1 race boat), 1959 - 8, 1960 - 2, 1961 - 0, 1962 - 2, 1963 - 2, 1964 - 1, 1965 - 2, 1966 - 1. Are there many others out there? 12 are still on the water, kinda.

To be added to this page send a picture and details of your Belmont to Alan Wardsworth • alanwardsworth@gmail.com

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