Babolat first generation

ericsson · 05-04-2010, 09:40 AM

The last weeks and months i've received quite some mails about the the first Babolats, well here it is.
I know many of you don't think they are classics, well i do and that's why i want it to post here.
I will start with the first "Pure" series developed between 1994 and 1996.
These first generation Babolat rackets were made in Taiwan, Thailand and China.

Babolat Pure Drive
Babolat Pure Control
Babolat Pure Power

ericsson · 05-04-2010, 09:40 AM

ericsson · 05-04-2010, 09:46 AM

More to follow...

schu47 · 05-04-2010, 09:58 AM

Ericsson,

You're just the man. I've had this Babolat for a few years, but never been able to figure out where it fit in. I've never seen another one like it, with the flat head. Do you know if this is first generation, or when it might have been made?

Thanks.

ericsson · 05-04-2010, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by schu47

Ericsson,

You're just the man. I've had this Babolat for a few years, but never been able to figure out where it fit in. I've never seen another one like it, with the flat head. Do you know if this is first generation, or when it might have been made?

Thanks.

Hi, that's the second generation Pure Power with woofer, completely different mold and very powerful.

schu47 · 05-04-2010, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ericsson

Hi, that's the second generation Pure Power with woofer, completely different mold and very powerful.

Thanks. I knew I could count on you. That's a great collection. One of my sons plays the Pure Drive GT Plus -- I assume those early Babolats had a much different feel. He certainly didn't like this second generation Pure Power at all.

yuth · 05-04-2010, 12:35 PM

Wooww. Interesting, for me I love to play with pure control version. It's good in control the ball. I love it because it's box beam frame.

PS: Steve, How are you? I am good in Madison. I love this city.

Yuth

vsbabolat · 05-04-2010, 12:39 PM

ericsson, have you ever seen one of these?

This is the very first Babolat racquet I ever saw back in 1989. It was for testing cordage....

MarrratSafin · 05-04-2010, 03:31 PM

Great pics ericsson, first time I've seen that Pure Power. They have the side grommets too! Can you reveal the specs of the Pure Power?

Btw it's my belief that I actually went into a bidding war with you for couple of first gen PD's most recently.

Only realized that after the auction...

gunnd5000 · 05-04-2010, 03:35 PM

Wow amazing pics and info ad usual erricson

gunnd5000 · 05-04-2010, 03:43 PM

How have you managed to get a hold of these there like gold dust to find

ericsson · 05-04-2010, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vsbabolat

ericsson, have you ever seen one of these?

VS, i have heard of that racket but actually never saw one, thanks for posting that, very interesting.

ericsson · 05-04-2010, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarrratSafin

Great pics ericsson, first time I've seen that Pure Power. They have the side grommets too! Can you reveal the specs of the Pure Power?

Btw it's my belief that I actually went into a bidding war with you for couple of first gen PD's most recently.

Only realized that after the auction...

Yea they are pretty rare and very hard to find, i will post the specs soon...

flashfire276 · 05-04-2010, 09:04 PM

My coach has the first generation Pure Drive. Why does it feel so great? I mean, I honestly hate the newer Pure Drives. But there's something about this one that feels good.

galain · 05-04-2010, 10:35 PM

How do they play? Interesting pics - thanks for posting them ericsson.

gpt · 05-05-2010, 01:28 AM

thanks for great pics and info

coachrick · 05-05-2010, 06:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vsbabolat

ericsson, have you ever seen one of these?

This is the very first Babolat racquet I ever saw back in 1989. It was for testing cordage....

I remember those being mounted on the stringing machines in the Bab booth at the Super Show. Quite a buzz about them, secrecy, rumor, denial, etc.

racquetfreak · 05-05-2010, 01:02 PM

Babolat VS! - leave it to vsbabolat to come up with yet another awesome and rare racquet!

Dave M · 05-05-2010, 01:14 PM

Lovely frames ericsson, i've been using the "gt" pure drive this last week i just wish they'd remake something like the first one.Suppose they wouldn't sell as well but they were nicer frames.I hoped the 135th frame might be a limited re issue of the first one, sadly no!
Do you have a "soft drive" from that first family? I like the bags too, had the all blue on and still havve the large holdall/soft brief case they've lasted well.

ericsson · 05-06-2010, 01:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave M

Lovely frames ericsson, i've been using the "gt" pure drive this last week i just wish they'd remake something like the first one.Suppose they wouldn't sell as well but they were nicer frames.I hoped the 135th frame might be a limited re issue of the first one, sadly no!
Do you have a "soft drive" from that first family? I like the bags too, had the all blue on and still havve the large holdall/soft brief case they've lasted well.

Hi Dave, yea i like the covers and early bags too, so stylish with that double line.
Anyway yes i have the 1ste Soft Drive too, my soft line is coming up but i'm too busy right now so have some patience, also great frames!

05-04-2010, 09:40 AM	#1
ericsson Hall Of Fame Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Land of beer and chocolate Posts: 3,549	Babolat first generation The last weeks and months i've received quite some mails about the the first Babolats, well here it is. I know many of you don't think they are classics, well i do and that's why i want it to post here. I will start with the first "Pure" series developed between 1994 and 1996. These first generation Babolat rackets were made in Taiwan, Thailand and China. Babolat Pure Drive Babolat Pure Control Babolat Pure Power __________________ Sports do not build character. They reveal it.

05-04-2010, 09:40 AM	#2
ericsson Hall Of Fame Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Land of beer and chocolate Posts: 3,549	__________________ Sports do not build character. They reveal it. Last edited by ericsson : 05-04-2010 at 09:45 AM.

05-04-2010, 09:46 AM	#3
ericsson Hall Of Fame Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Land of beer and chocolate Posts: 3,549	More to follow... __________________ Sports do not build character. They reveal it.

05-04-2010, 12:39 PM	#8
vsbabolat Legend Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 7,430	ericsson, have you ever seen one of these? This is the very first Babolat racquet I ever saw back in 1989. It was for testing cordage.... __________________ Babolat ruined VS Gut and Tonic Gut with BT7. Why change a gut string that had been perfect for 135 years? It's now overpriced garbage. Last edited by vsbabolat : 05-04-2010 at 12:47 PM.

05-04-2010, 03:31 PM	#9
MarrratSafin Hall Of Fame Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 1,845	Great pics ericsson, first time I've seen that Pure Power. They have the side grommets too! Can you reveal the specs of the Pure Power? Btw it's my belief that I actually went into a bidding war with you for couple of first gen PD's most recently. Only realized that after the auction... __________________ Head PT630/280.

05-04-2010, 03:35 PM	#10
gunnd5000 Hall Of Fame Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 2,516	Wow amazing pics and info ad usual erricson __________________ 'Djoker who pummeled Nadal's BH and forced many unforced errors' OddJack He is that good he can force unforced mistakes?! This guy has to be GOAT