Quill Spear

AUSTRALIAN

Manufacturer: Quill
Shaper: Unknown
Design: Ultra Extreme Spear Tail
Year: 1973?
Dimensions: TBA

I've mentioned previously that I have a huge amount of time for backyard extreme shapes and this is as full on as they come.  An ultra extreme spear tail which can only have been surfable on the front 60% of the board.  Not a lot of turning going on here, just straight down the line and hold on I guess!

Excellent original condition when purchased from a travelling surfer on Sydney's Northern Beaches in around 2008.  Has had a polish and a few minor marks tidied up. 'Surfresearch' has no info on Quill other than a possible link to 2003 - does anyone know anything about them/him or has seen another example?

Michael Peterson

AUSTRALIAN

Manufacturer: Michael Peterson
Shaper: Michael Peterson
Design: Shooter single flyer swallow tail
Year: 1974
Dimensions: 6'10"

Not a lot to say here - the photos say it all.  The available provenance (all of which is by word of mouth) identify this as one of Michael's personal boards but without more first hand evidence this is hard to prove. Great board for the Gold Coast point breaks, nice a sleek to fit in those crystal clear Kirra & Burleigh tubes.

It is unequivocally shaped by Michael and is signed on the stringer in pencil.

Purchased privately in 2005 and restored by 'Sash' from Narrabeen.  Works included ding repairs, fixing up the tips of the flyers and swallow tail - all colour matched to a very high standard.  Fin is unusual and has clearly been refoiled/tweeked on a few occasions. Nice pair of channels leading into the single flyer add to the refined and progressive shaping for the time. A volan deck patch finishes it off perfectly.

Good provenance / photos would be good to find if you can help?

McTavish Blue Bird

AUSTRALIAN

Manufacturer: McTavish / Blue Bird
Shaper: Bob McTavish
Design: Extreme spear tail Gun
Year: Early/Mid 1970's
Dimensions: 7'1"

This classic piece of McTavish art was picked up from my first attendance at Mick Mock's Sydney Surf Auction back in 2005.  It was a must have board and remains a key piece of the collection which these days seems to be heading more and more in the direction of sleek guns and semi guns.

The extreme spear tail is a beauty and clearly for super fast down the line speed. The board is original in terms of colour and has had some small repairs carried out (very well but before my ownership).  This really is quality craftsmanship at it best and most refined. 

Any help accurately dating the board would be appreciated - 1972/3??

Summercloud Bat Twinnie

AUSTRALIAN

Manufacturer: Summercloud
Shaper: Unknown?
Design: Twin Fin Stinger Bat Tail
Year: 1977-78
Dimensions: 6'1"

The first twinnie I purchased after moving to Australia in 2002. It has had restoration work carried out (prior to my purchase) on the underside but the deck remains original. Typical combination in twin fins terms when matched with the stinger shape.  Major points of interest are the 'true' bat tail and the Batman logo both of which make the board unique.  Board was bought as one of three from a large second hand emporium in Coolangatta on the Gold Coast. The original green makes the board glow and the condition is good, a classic experimental twist on a common theme of the late 1970's.

Pat Morgan Gun

AUSTRALIAN

Manufacturer: Pat Morgan
Shaper: Pat Morgan??
Design: Slipper Nose Gun
Year: 1970's
Dimensions: 8'0"

This is a cracking Slipper Nose Gun from Victoria in original condition and awaiting a polish to make it shine. Made for pure down the line speed at large Bells, Winki or other spots that could hold size.

Hard down rails, a sleek outline and beautiful (but small) fin make this a work of art.  No direct provenance known on history of board or the shaper - would be keen to hear from those of you who may be able to help here and also refine the year it was shaped in, 1971/2??

Originally offered for sale at Mick Mock's 2008 Sydney Surf Auction but withdrawn on the morning of the sale.  Acquired in 2010 and was stoked it came to me. An iconic board whatever way you look at it.

Backyard Beauty

AUSTRALIAN

Manufacturer: Unknown - Backyarder
Shaper: Unknown - Possibly Rod Ball?
Design: Swallow Tail
Year: 1970-73
Dimensions: 7'2"

I love backyard experimental boards and this is as good as they come.  Quite possibly shaped by Rod Ball with a great high aspect Greenough style fin.  However, the best feature is the 1" concave in the bottom over 90% of the length of the board - radical.

Board was purchased at Mick Mock's 2010 Sydney Surf Auction and was in all original condition.  It has since been restored by Jacksons (Cronulla).  This involved some repairs incl colour matching, the discovery of the swallow tail - it had been covered up with a period square tail (repair or just a change?) and finally a polish to make it shine.

I have since discovered who the previous owner was and been in contact with him back in Oz.  It's been great to do this and discuss some of the features with a very knowledgeable collector.

MP photos

Along with boards I also love the classic photography from the period and have a fair collection of limited edition prints from some of the most famous photographers of the time.

I also love to find pictures on the net and I plan to share some of the best with you.

For starters here are some shots of MP doing his thing, his own way and better than everyone else before him and most since...............

  

The start

So the time has come to try my hand at a blog............

The intention is to share details of my collection of vintage surfboards originating from Australia, the UK and Hawaii.

I've been collecting for around 14 years now and after much buying, selling and buying again have settled on both a specific period and style of boards that I love.

My time is effectively 1967/8 - Mid 1970's so that's transitional to short board revolution and then some twinnies for fun.

It will take some time to get everything up and I'm only planning the release of one 'board' at a time.  No reason behind the order they will appear - just how I feel on the day.

So first up:


Manufacturer: Morning Star

AUSTRALIAN

Shaper: Unknown
Design: Swallow Tail
Year: 1975
Dimensions: 6'10"

This board is in exceptional original condition. Comfortably a 9/10. Was purchased in mid 2000's in Sydney.

For more information on the board please see the link below:

http://www.surfresearch.com.au/00000208.html