Vintage Skateboards

The field of antiques is filled with niches of collectors who desperately seek the rarest items. However, few niches have the kind of cultural following that vintage skateboards do.

History of Vintage Skateboards

The value of vintage skateboards is based on a long and fascinating history. Skateboarding became wildly popular in the 1960s; however, its origins actually came from the 1920s with the invention of the three-wheeled scooter. This device evolved into the Skeeter of the 1940s, the clay wheeled Zippees and Roller Derby ones of the 1960s, the urethane wheeled Hobie created by Frank Nasworthy in the 1970s, and the Chili Peppers Octopus of the 1990s.

Each generation integrated newer skating innovations. The popularity of roller-skating in the 1950s propelled skateboarding by allowing the earliest boarders the ability to attach steel-wheeled roller skates to boxes and simple planks of wood. These earliest models were dangerous and provided no ability to steer. These simple devices kicked off one of the largest cultural movements in the country. Vintage skateboards remain highly collectible and increase in value every year.

1920s Scooters

The Skateboard has its origin in the “Three Wheeler” of the 1920s. These were metal devices with three steel wheels created for cross-country skiing enthusiasts to enjoy a similar sport in the summertime. The boards had adjustable clamps to grasp the rider’s feet, and one fit on each foot. These also came with two poles.

1940s Skeeter

In the 1940s, the scooter evolved into something that more closely resembles today’s boards. Because WWII drained the nation’s steel supply, a toy called the "Skeeter" was manufactured completely of aluminum. The Skeeter featured a removable handle and aluminum wheels and trucks. The greatest innovation the Skeeter offered, which served as a catalyst for all future models, was the addition of steering axles, allowing the rider to steer the board.

1960s Roller Derby

The surfing movement of the late 1950s led to the introduction of the first homemade boards. Surfing enthusiasts who wanted to “surf” on land attached roller skate wheels to the bottom of milk boxes and simple wooden boards. The wheels during this time were made of clay, which didn’t grip sidewalks very easily.

By the 1960s, one of the first commercial models entered the market. It was the Roller Derby brand, which was made of wood and fitted with roller skate trucks and dual steel wheels.

1970s Hobie

Toward the late 60s, the sport crashed in popularity due to health and safety concerns stemming from the fact that these devices had very little traction and poor steering.

In the 1970s, surfer Frank Nasworthy decided to utilize the modern roller-skating urethane wheels on his Hobie model. By 1973, Nasworthy successfully marketed these high performance urethane wheels under the name “Cadillac Wheels.” Additionally, other manufacturers were producing improved ball bearings and trucks designed specifically for the sport. These advancements increased the popularity of the sport throughout the 1970s. Popular board manufacturers during this decade included Dogtown, Powell and Duraflex.

1980s and Beyond

Due to the rise in popularity of BMX biking, skateboarding experienced another slump in the early 80s. By the mid 1980s, the major board manufacturers were Powell/Peralta, Vision/Sims, and Santa Cruz.

Finally, toward the end of the 1990s, the sport once again began another comeback in the areas of long boarding and downhill. By this time, the sport was populated by a variety of manufacturers, including Etnies, Vans, and many others.

Vintage Skateboards are Highly Collectible

Of any niche in the field of antiques, vintage skateboards hold great value. The highest value boards tend to be those created independently by professional boarders. For example, a vintage 1980s Mark Gonzales model sold on May 3rd, 2008 for $1486. Other examples include a 1978 Powerflex sold on May 9th, 2008 for $648, and a Vintage 1980s Sims Hosoi that sold on April 28th, 2008 for $510.

This market is very specialized, and typically, boarders themselves know the most popular and valuable manufacturers and privately made boards.

The table below is an overview of other recent sales of vintage boards on Ebay.

Making Money with Vintage Skateboards

Clearly, there is a great deal of value in this market. Old models can be found in the most unlikely places, including estate auctions and local yard sales. The key to finding the most valuable board is to look for those characteristics that date them to the earlier years of the sport.

The most valuable (older) boards will have:

• Clay or steel wheels
• Made of wood or early plastic materials
• Decks (boards) with more unique designs

Following the current market will help you become educated about values. This will give you a tremendous advantage when you are searching auctions and yard sales for those highly collectible models.

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