Matt Mahoney hooked us up with some pictures of a relic he owns, possibly the ultimate achievement in wackyboards. It’s either the Nash Jamm Sound Board or the Radio Active, depending on whether you believe the top or the bottom of the deck. In Matt’s own words “It’s perfect for listening to static while skating around town…” I remember seeing adds for this thing before, I can’t imagine they made more than one model. It’s too bad the Nash factory burned down, I’ll bet there was some cool stuff in storage.

Normally I’d be all over something like this, but I like the board so much that I don’t feel compelled to ridicule the optional equipment shown, namely the $25 aluminum scooter handle. I mean, If you are going to ride a scooter-skate, you don’t want to risk getting hurt on some cheap toy… Right? I think I can see where they are coming from on this, and that means I’m in a weird place right now…. I’ve always had a soft spot in my heart for these old solid aluminum decks, and I am solidly behind manufacturing a liquor store board that happens to be a near museum quality reproduction. This would probably fall under the movie prop category, since the wheels look the part, but have been upgraded to center set bearings so you could actually turn at speed without feeling like the wheels were about to blow out . The firm known as Roger Brothers Downhill makes these, as well as a surprising host of other machined products, including a skateboard deck with a built in bottle opener (where the skyhooks would go…) Now I’m definitely a fan.

The first one is an updated version of those pumpboards, this one looks like it’s been crossed with a shopping cart. Seems like it would be utterly unsteerable. The second one is, believe it or not, an inflatable deck. This is a brand new approach to the collapsable skateboard concept, but one that seems to be based on of some sort technology that doesn’t currently exist. – Thanks to Concretins Nik for the tips.

Do you remember G&S Trucks? In my opinion, these things weren’t killed, rather delivered as a stillbirth. Everyone I knew who rode them always ended up breaking the weld that holds the hanger to the bushing casing, or bending the axle. They were not thought of fondly. Still, rather than continue my tradition on geeking out on minor notes of skateboard history, I thought I’d let someone else do it. After Prickly Pete raised the issue back in December of last year, Pete Brown graciously offered to research some obscure trucks and write it up. And I’m talking actual research. He got in touch with Henry Hester and Bill Danforth, two principals in the story. Job well done sir. You’ve just saved our readers from another 12 page photo spread on some old skateboard toy… for now at least. Check out Who Killed the Chromoloy truck?

Hoverboards, the mythical flying car of the future for the skateboarding crowd. Let’s run down the hoverboard links first: A fan makes his own adequate replicas Auction of one of the original props Photoshopping hoverboards into existing photos What else is there? Well there’sa guy in the UK who will sell you a, uhm, realistic looking prop for the paltry fee of $290 USD. Hoverboard.org.uk has some fancy replicas with only sublte finishing differences that are only visible when you compare them side by side with the original. They even sell replicas of Griff’s baseball bat for people who are clearly over-obsessed with Back to the Future. Lastly, check out the Hoverboard graphic from Boston’s Proletariat, pictured above right. It’s one of those “Why didn’t I think of it? ” ideas. Proletariat’s decks are really well executed, and clearly the winner because they are only $49 and you can actually skate them. – Thanks to Aaron Shims and Mike for the tips

Someone went through the trouble to bring back the Gull Wing Trucks brand, but neglected to include the design that made them famous. Regardless of whether you are a fan of the original Gull Wings or not, it seems like a no-brainer to make them at least somewhat resemble the old trucks, even though you’re not going to fool anybody into thinking that Gullwings have been available without a break since the 70’s. They have one model that looks like everyday trucks, plus they’ve jumped on the longboard market boom with several reverse kingpin designs. And then there is the sidewinder truck, pictured above. I’m not sure what the purpose is since the web site doesn’t provide any information whatsoever, but it’s undoubtedly to provide more of carving feel to simulate surfing of snowboarding. Maybe the purpose it to eliminate wheel bite forever. Gullwing was advertising in Concrete Wave for what seemed like a year before they even had a web site going. It looks like once they got it going they pretty much abandoned it circa 2007.

Tarantula Trucks. Errrr… A solution in search of a problem or pure genius? Better make up you mind before you buy, because these babies will set you back $115 a set. On the off chance these guys aren’t around in a year, I’ve archived some images after the jump. I’d actually like to try these things out, just, you know, not in front of anyone. I salute you Tarantula Trucks, for the sheer audacity of conceiving and actually producing this product.

Don’t worry, these guys didn’t send me anything, I’ve always been a fan of the Slasher graphic. I’m pretty sure that some smaller companies have already done the sword shaped skateboard, but for Santa Cruz it seems like an obvious choice. I’m actually more surprised that this board doesn’t have Keith Meek’s name on it instead of Emmanuel Guzman, especially considering the Meekster’s still active in their lineup. Speaking of the lineup, Monthly eBay favorite Jason Jesse’s Neptune board had been reissued.

Nyuk, nyuk, nyuk… The latest skateboard gadget in the grand tradition of sky hooks, rubber bands and magnets is the Ollie Buster, an elaborate setup that allows you to hold the board to your feet with the aid of some rubber tubing, a handle and a gratuitous skateboard wheel thrown in for extra weight. Reminds me a little of those fake yo-yos that were made with an internal spring to expand and contract the string. You know, for the truly lazy. Geez, I guess this is the same concept as Guitar Hero or Rock Band, and I am guilty of enjoying the hell out of those. Did I ever tell you about the time I was the weak link in (almost) every band I was ever in? The best part about the Ollie Buster web site is on the Goin’ Big skateboard moves where the kid opens up his Ollie Buster in the parking lot and nonchalantly throws all his trash to the wind. Now that’s realism! – Thanks to Robert for the tip.

Before you get your panties in a bunch, this is an art piece, and not something that is in production, unlike this, and let’s not forget about this or this. This one comes from UK artist Chris Jackson.