Here are 5 random skateboard deck collections from the 80’s. In the 80’s the plywood ramp and streetstyle revitalized skateboarding just as the urethane wheel had revitalized the sport in the 70’s. Forced to take an underground, do-it-yourself attitude, skaters began to create their own wooden skate ramps in backyards and empty lots and turn previously unrideable street terrain, such as walls an handrails, into free-skate parks. Skater-owned companies became the norm and innovations in board and truck size allowed the trick envelope to be pushed even further. This generation had its own group of skate stars, some of whom still compete today including Tony Hawk and Steve Caballero. Towards the end of the 80’s the focus shifted to street skating and Vert riding became less popular, it was the era of the first street stars like Mark Gonzales, Natas Kaupas and Mike Vallely.

Classic Skateboard Deck Collection #1

Alva Chris Cook “clown” from around ‘88 to 89. For some of these boards it’s very difficult to determine the exact release year cause most of these models were manufactured and sold for few years in their time. Found the Chris Cook “clown” at local 2nd hand sporting goods store. The shop keeper had obviously bought bunch of dead stock/factory seconds from some skate shop/store. Paid about $15 for the Cook.

Next up, amazingly well preserved Alva Bill Danforth “nomad” with splatter paint, guessing around ‘88, can’t remember. Has very deep concave that’s very close to uncomfortable. Has been built up since with Thunder 9″ trucks with Santa Cruz “war paint” (some call them “church glass/window” too i guess) graphics. An aquintance scored this board for me roughly a year ago. It has slight water damage on top but nothing serious. Overall in great condition, with original blue & black griptape. The graphics & tail are very well preserved even though there has never been any rails or tailbone mounted.

Next, somewhat beat up ‘88 Jim “Murf” Murphy and a mistreated second generation Alva Eddie Reategui “warrior” from around same time. The Murf was bought as a complete with beat up Indys.

The ‘87-88-ish Eddie Reategui “Warrior” was salvaged from a fleamarket. It seems someone has been practising ollie skill on it etc. without any trucks. Dumbass. Still has lots of life in it regardless the half-ruined graphics.

Classic Skateboard Deck Collection #2

Lucero “Street thing” by Lucero Skateboards (manufactured by Santa Cruz) from ‘88 to ‘89 traded from a friend. Came originally with silver Gullwing Super Pro’s with flyweight baseplates. Somewhat beat up yet fully rideable and the graphics aren’t too bad either despite the battle scars. Has 8,5″ 2nd gen Ventures and late 80’s OJII Teamriders 92A. I like how the background graphics (the white swirls) subliminally remind me of his Madrid model (aka “Jester” later also known as “X-Teamrider”).

‘88 Vision Boneyard built with not-so-popular Rannalli trucks with Rannalli bushings along with used Madrid Fire Fly wheels 97A in neon yellow. I got this board in a trade in very nice condition, just a few marks on the tail and from the rail mounting screws. Even added the “Don’t die wondering - Vision” sticker (pun intended) to tail to make it complete. Classic shape with cool tiny stacked skeletons allover the graphics. Solid board, classic shape. Same as Punk Skulls.

Late 80’s (guessing ‘87 to ‘88) Maui & Sons “Shark Man” complete with X-Caliber trucks, X-Caliber wheels and full X-Caliber plastics gear. One of the cheaper yet OK quality completes you could purchase from many sporting good shops or even department stores. Classic Maui & Sons graphics and logo and standard yet functional (and campy) Variflex shape. The odd thing about this board is that the base coat is red. The two Action Factory stickers on the tail have been added later. It was a local surf/ski shop back in the day.

Last, but not least a ‘89 Gordon & Smith Bod Boyle “yin-yang”. Came originally with turquoise Gullwing Phoenix trucks and green 95A OJII Combos and yellow Schmitt Stix rails. Later it has been rebuilt with more era/manufacturer correct parts like G&S famous Chro-Moly trucks and my old set of yellow G&S Bam Bam wheels 97A. The Roskopp eye sticker was applied by previous owner and i though it looked pretty cool so i left it there. Has quite a bit of concave and steep tail and all four wheels wells which was pretty rare in late 80’s.

Classic Skateboard Deck Collection #3

Team Losi “Ooze” using two slightly different shades of regular black grip tape which i think, looks interesting.
Team Losi “Witch Doctor” with new wave/geometric three-colour whatever design to match the top logo.
Team Losi “Pool Dreams” has solid turquoise grip with die-cut hole aroud the top logo. From this image you get a good view of the concave aswell.
Variflex Allen Losi mkIII with “classic” shattered grip tape around the top graphics.

Classic Skateboard Deck Collection #4

‘84-85 Variflex Vectra Flat mkII streetstyle/freestyle, (flat as in no-concave). New old stock from the UK. Built with slightly used Variflex trucks and copers from a first gen Pool Fool and blue Variflex C3 wheels.

‘84-85 Variflex Vectra Flat mkII pool/ramp. New old stock from th UK with Variflex Vertex trucks (excellent quality btw, before those cheap looking light aluminum versions found on all ‘87-89 dept store Variflexes). Red Variflex C3 wheels and generic copers.

‘85-86 Variflex Vectra Concave mkII pool/ramp. New old stock from the UK aswell with Vertex trucks and NOS Powell Peralta Street Cubic wheels 90A. It’s funny looking back at these, cause the concave or no concave seemed to be an issue in way as they would boldly print “concave” on to the graphics. In late 80’s let alone these days it’s taken granted.

‘86-’87-ish Variflex Vectra Concave mkIII pool/ramp.Used from ebay for $20. The board arrived after painful 3 month wait cause the seller had no idea how to ship overseas. The deck itself was in somewhat poor condition with delamination pretty much all around the deck but the graphics, both top and bottom, were well preserved. Overall condition (except the serious delam) was pretty nice, i’d say 7/10. All original parts and accessories were there, they were just very dirty. It looked as if it was digged out from a mud hole. Has Variflex plastics, Variflex trucks and Variflex wheels. I really dig the graphics on this one!

Classic Skateboard Deck Collection #5

‘86 Madrid Beau Brown model “collage” NOS. Got to love the “artistic” approach in these graphics. Built for display with used turquoise Gullwing Phoenix trucks and vintage NOS blue 85A Powell Peralta Rat-Bones.

‘86 Madrid X-Teamrider “jester” (a.k.a. John Lucero model after he left Madrid) NOS. Built for display with Madrid/Underground trucks, unknown copers and NOS Kryptonics Slammer wheels 88A.

‘85 Madrid Gary Sanderson “punk” NOS signed by the man himself. Built for display with 9″ 2nd gen Ventures and NOS Kryptonics CSI wheels 85A.

‘86 Madrid Claus Grabke “time” NOS. The beginning of the Grabke clock graphics series from 1986. On of the best Madrid/Grabke graphics actually. Built for display with Tracker Sixtracks Ultralights (w/ Tracker copers) and NOS 85A Santa Cruz “Road Rider” wheels with light blue core from late 80’s (from the looks & feel of these they appear to be manufactured by Kryptonics).