I have recently purchased on old Malibu in Australia that was made in New Zealand
I have the following information on it. It was custom biult by Dunlop. Serial number is 1578. It is 9 foot 4 inches long and has the initial TW on the stringer
I am trying to find out how old it is and where it was made.
It come from NZ about 8 years ago when it was purchased at a surfiboard auction
It is in really good condition and has only two repairs on the rail and nose
Any information would be great
There is a least one Kiwi on the board that can remember them, I remember them being sold in Farmers Chain Sores in the early to mid sixties, probably bought by parents for their sons, on credit. I don’t think there was any formal credit available at the typical surf factory/shop and it probably wasn’t cool to show up at the local surf shop with your parents in tow. I would imagine that they sold for around 40 quid and a 15 year old in woolworths earned around 6 pounds seven shillings a week, so a board cost a 15 year old around six and a half weeks pay, today a 15 year old in NZ would earn $300 per week so a board might cost two weeks pay.
I’ll do some research, can’t lay my hands on my reference material but will follow up for you on the details.
MrT
Thanks that would be great. I look forward to hearing more. If I can work out how to send you a photo of it on this forum I will. The board is still in awesome condition and is going on the wall. My friends that Have seen it can belief how good it looks
Still haven’t found the book, but still looking
Found It.
Reference is p51/52, Gone Surfing, The Golden years of Surfing 1950-1970, Luke Williamson, Penguin Books, 2000
Frank Wilkin made popout Boards under the name of Kahuna starting 1961 in his parents basement, as well as custom boards under his name, peaking at 30-40 boards per week in 1965-66. In 1964, Sportex, a sports wholesale company contracted for pop-oouts, Frank signed a three year contract and made Kahuna boards. In 1966, Dunlop, now Goodyear/Dunlop, bought out Sportex. Dunlop were the only boards that competed with Atlas Woods, ( a combination of a Kiwi guy Alan Mitchell and Gordon Woods , Mr Mitchell made a lot of money out of importing and manufacturing sports gear) in mainstream stores, i.e.sports and department stores. Dunlop expanded the operation and moved the operation a couple of times to larger and larger premises. Although they had the business skills, Dunlop were too late on the scene, the market for popout boards declined as custom boards took over and Dunlop closed the operation. So it could be said that they are the forefather of NSP, Southpoint, Bic etc.
Cannot find any reference to TW, maybe Dunlop/Frank made custom boards as well, I am not sure about that. Even as a 15 year old I couldn’t work out why a tyre company would want to buy a surfboard manufacturer, it would be interesting to find out. Hope this is of help, unfortunately there doesn’t seem to be a Kiwi equivalent of Bill Thrailkill participating in Swaylocks to fill in the historic gaps. Luke’s book is great but there is probably a book in each of the manufacturers, thats the trouble with being a baby boomer, many of us are into nostalgia.
Thanks for that information. Would you know if that book is still in print I would like to get a copy of it. I had a look on the internet, it said it was not in print. I am not sure if you may know where I can get a secondhand copy of the book. Thanks for all your information - Matt
Anyone got any more information on these old New Zealand Dunlop’s? Just got my hands on one and would really like to know more about the history of them and to find out how original mine is can’t tell if it’s been re-painted or re-finned in it’s lifetime
Google is your friend; Check it out.
http://www.trademe.co.nz/sports/surfing/surfboards/longboards/auction-511684642.htm