[TRobinson6]

somewhere i read that the starter runs a belt to start the egine. did i read this wrong and misunderstand?

 

[jwight]

It's a mechanical starter as in other cars.

You probably read something about 451s not sold in the USA, which have an MHD (start/stop) system with a combined starter/alternator - on those the belt does turn the engine over to start it:
http://www.evilution.co.uk/index.php?menu=info&mod=886