Bennet by Blam-o
Andrew Maunsell is a toy designer by trade from Sydney Australia. He’s collaborating with Greg Bennett from Bennett Surfbaords (Not affiliated with Bennett Trucks) in Brookvale, Sydney. Bennet produced a skateboard brand called Golden Breed in the 70’s. The result is a series of two old school hybrid skateboards based on old 60’s era shapes and technology, with a little bit of updating. The trucks were originally NOS Fairfax steel wheeled contraptions, but the steel wheels and axles have been replaced with Metaflex wheels and solid axles. The decks are the brand new Fiji White Cedar hand screened. The first 50 “Big Surf” are vintage longboard style, and the second 50 (still in the works) are going to be shorter with a dragster theme. Andrew doesn’t have a web site yet, so if you are interested you can contact him via email, available if you download this flyer. Loads of pics after the jump. I love the aesthetic of this era of skateboards. Andrew says the modified trucks actually turn well too.
Old Style decals.
Old and NOS side by side.
Screen printing set up from yesteryear (except for the aluminum frame.) If only it were so easy to print today’s boards.
Photo By Tom Bennett
Open bearings in the wheels!
Prototype
the decks are groovy! but c’mon now brother, those trucks, wheels & bearing combo is utter shite! we all understand the retro thing, but FFS, slap some midtracks and precision bearings on those things, at the very least (yes BR, mids actually do turn!). its the 21st century after all. and we’re gonna ride that shit!
all u need is a drill for the trackers and i’m sure most buyers would do that if they wanted
Andy always did like to make life difficult for himself. Put the kettle on Andy, I’m dying for a cuppa.
I really wanted to create the first board made as much as possible from vintage parts, total vintage hardware.
Every rider that has bought one of the 50 boards so far have treated them as mint vintage & not for riding them more as a functional display. To make a new board from shelf parts….would be so easy,would have taken a fraction of the time. I did it the hard way, reconstructing and re engineering Fairfax steel,even these ball ball bearings are from 1970.If you are interested my email is SlashMarker@gmail
Why not? I’d take one for a spin! Cool project. Hope you do well.
Sure, They perform surprisingly well, compared to modern boards
I had a few of those sort of ancient boards around up until the late ‘eighties. My buddy still has a clay-wheeled stick we break out in his backyard-bowl… Clay wheels are sketchy on butter-smooth concrete, but as you say, the original design trucks do turn surprisingly well–all things being relative.
The only thing that made me look at this post was the Porsche.
Ha ha ha Thanks !
I bet that Car is one of Bazzas!
just beautiful, in my opinion
You are right in time for the Vintage Revival ! I have seen a similar project with Scavenger/Evil Goods collab:
http://theevilgoods.blogspot.com/2012/12/scavenger-x-evilgoods-vintage-skateboard.html
I ordered a custom shape inspired by those glorious precursors – soon to be released on Sakaroul
I told Andrew the same thing, I’m already sitting on a few sets of NOS steel wheel trucks that have been languishing in my basement for a few years until I get motivated (find the time) to finish an actual product.
I do not understand why would you virtually trace off the exact same shape of an old 60’s “Roller Surfer” , “Surf Skate” , “Surf Set” or “Red Devil – Roll -n- Surf” then screw on early steel wheels, this is waaay to easy man.
How about reintroducing the Classic feature of the 1960s “Flying Ace – ROAD SURFER” by Moen-Patton inc USA. That steel wheeler was a basic rectangular shape but had a god dam, metal foot brake!! I have bought every 1 of them that have appeared on Ebay so far – they are so great. If your going to the trouble of actually making a new retro board – How about creating something new & challenging from scratch, that looks as though it fits perfectly in with the period , but the shape & design on the board has never been seen before.
I understand what you’re saying but I do not believe that is the artists desire or intent. These skateboards remind me of someone building old-school lowriders and hot-rods and keeping the original creativity and aesthetics in place. I like the way these skateboards look and think this dude is doing a great job at what he set out to do.
Good analogy. Sometimes that period-correct stuff is overdone, but when it’s done right, it’s anything but played-out.
These boards have that feel… I’d like to ride around on one.
I Agree on all fronts.
Kilwag you wollie ! Bennett Truks, not Trucks !
Yes.. I am a poser! (poseur aussi)
more Sakaroul
i am so ashamed of the devolution of skateboarding….EVERYBODY needs to do their best trick and hang up with their hands behind their heads. Look at yourselves!
we R devo …
Neo Retro Vintage Hype:
http://www.sakaroule.net/2013/06/retro-vintage-59.html