There’s some debate about what the UFO name in skateboarding stands for, and this ad seems to settle the question. The answer: “Unlimited Freighting Objects.” If we find an earlier UFO ad that says otherwise, we’ll update this post.
Unlimited Freighting Objects
U.F.O. wheels are designed by freighting John Hughes for unlimited speed in all terrains and have been tested under full “‘G-Force” by Gunner Haugo.
Sizes – 2½”, 3″ & 4″
Downhill Racer* available with stock size bearings or new EXTRA LARGE BEARINGS
Send for free brochure – Dealer inquiries invited.
Also available T-shirts and decals.
*All wheels 2 1/8’ wide. 4 wheel available with large bearings only
2755 Jefferson St. • Suite 11
Carlsbad, CA 92008 • (714) 729-7189
6 comments
Chris Lee
UFO’s were the first urethane skate wheel I had ever seen that did not have a flat back, but instead had convex backs AND fronts. This design prevented the wheels from hanging up on the coping, and the front concave allowed for edge wheelies on coping. I believe that everyone else copied the UFO convex design, from Bones and G&S Yo-Yo’s to Kryptonics. UFO’s were not that cool looking at first, because they were very wide, kinda soft and wore out quickly like Kryptonic Reds (designed for asphalt/downhill). I had bright green UFO’s on one of my early boards, and they were radical in their design. The fist UFO’s, as I recall, were very wide, like 4″, and then UFO made a smaller wheel in blue. If you are old enough to remember, SIMS Pure Juice, Road Riders, OJ’s, Targas (the worst wheels), and Powerflex wheels ALL had flat backs…. until UFO’s came around.
Lisa Sinclair
Chances are I packed your bearings before they shipped out lol. I grew up across the street from the address in the ad and spent many hours assembling wheels 🙂
Lisa Sinclair
Yes the ad is true. I grew up across the street from the address in the ad and spent many hours assembling wheels before we shipped them out. They were the most unique wheels out there at the time. Tony Hawk grew up in Carlsbad at the same time. My mom was a police officer in Carlsbad and always busted him for skateboarding when he was just a kid lol. Great memories….
Rick Floyd
Just bought probably the last set of 100% original and shiny like new black UFO “standard” wheels (no conicals) in existence – at least that are for sale. Will go on my 1978 Sundancer Hooktail board and original Stage 1 Indy 109s, just like it was set up in 1978! Beyond pumped! Been looking for these for 26 years, ever since I refurbished the board in 1999 and brought it back to life. Quite the miracle as far as I am concerned. 🙂
Adam
I bought some wheels under some UFO name around the mid to late 1990s. I was looking for wheels smaller than 38mm and bought 35mm. They were completely flat and were amazing… never got a flatspot. I am wondering if they are or were legit UFO or some weird knockoff of some sort? I got a green UFO Decal with them. I remember watching the 411 #1 video and wanting to be just like Pepe Martinez and thinking the secret was obv big pants and small wheels. 😛
Dennnis Allgeier
Does anyone remember seeing UFO wheels in red? I recently purchased a set of Flatbakc red ones with the larger diameter bearings. I do not remember seeing UFO’s in red? Prototypes maybe?