Babolat first generation

[Dave M]

Originally Posted by ericsson

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!

I remember ordering a soft drive from the factory and being so dissapointed as thy sent me a secon generation one, which was an entirely different racket, where i think it had originally (when i tried one it looked to be the same) it seemed to be the same as the PD.

[ericsson]

Originally Posted by Dave M

I remember ordering a soft drive from the factory and being so dissapointed as thy sent me a secon generation one, which was an entirely different racket, where i think it had originally (when i tried one it looked to be the same) it seemed to be the same as the PD.

Yes it is the exact same mold as the pure drive and play likewise but softer and lighter, perfect platform for custumizing.

btw: did you ever saw the 125th edition? i just loved that paintjob, regret i sold that one...i never saw another one again.

[gunnd5000]

Originally Posted by ericsson

Yes it is the exact same mold as the pure drive and play likewise but softer and lighter, perfect platform for custumizing.

btw: did you ever saw the 125th edition? i just loved that paintjob, regret i sold that one...i never saw another one again.

125th edition of the soft drive? can you give me any picks cos I dont think ive seen one

[ericsson]

Originally Posted by gunnd5000

125th edition of the soft drive? can you give me any picks cos I dont think ive seen one

No no it was a pure drive limited edition, i think it was the woofer series. Anyway the paintjob was spider web like, very nice. I will search my database at home, let me see if i can find something...

[MarrratSafin]

Originally Posted by ericsson

No no it was a pure drive limited edition, i think it was the woofer series. Anyway the paintjob was spider web like, very nice. I will search my database at home, let me see if i can find something...

Ericsson, you reminded me of something. Was it a millennium edition Pure Drive to celebrate 2000 at that time? There was one such frame, with a beautiful black paintjob with spider web like lines (in gold?). I searched for it for years but never came across one. I remember only 2000 were made worldwide.

[MarrratSafin]

And that makes sense too, from 1875 to 2000 is indeed the 125th edition!

[gunnd5000]

Originally Posted by ericsson

No no it was a pure drive limited edition, i think it was the woofer series. Anyway the paintjob was spider web like, very nice. I will search my database at home, let me see if i can find something...

do you think you have any pictures then or just hopping thanks as usual

[jimanuel12]

Originally Posted by ericsson

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

i had no idea they had been around that long, learn something new every day.
but i was out of tennis for about 10+ years, things got by me and when i returned to play, i could not believe rackets had changed so much.
very interesting, thanks.

[ericsson]

Originally Posted by MarrratSafin

Ericsson, you reminded me of something. Was it a millennium edition Pure Drive to celebrate 2000 at that time? There was one such frame, with a beautiful black paintjob with spider web like lines (in gold?). I searched for it for years but never came across one. I remember only 2000 were made worldwide.

Yes it was, that's the one i'm talking about
Nice memory!

Originally Posted by gunnd5000

do you think you have any pictures then or just hopping thanks as usual

Of course i have pictures, look here:

[ericsson]

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...

Here the (unstrung) specs for the Pure Power:

Weight: 310g
Flex: 70
Balance: 330mm
SW: 310
Pattern: 16x19

The racket hits a very heavy ball but controllable, totally different the the others, interesting stick.

[gunnd5000]

Originally Posted by ericsson

Yes it was, that's the one i'm talking about
Nice memory!



Of course i have pictures, look here:

that looks sooo cool, do you own one or know somewhere where you can get them, I take it thats a 2nd gen pure drive

the stats of the pure power sound good, was that sort of replaced by the pure drive roddick in a way

ohh and an edit: what the hell is up with the strings in that pic it doesnt look like its being strung and theres no strings on the top half in the pic

[ericsson]

Originally Posted by gunnd5000

that looks sooo cool, do you own one or know somewhere where you can get them, I take it thats a 2nd gen pure drive

the stats of the pure power sound good, was that sort of replaced by the pure drive roddick in a way

ohh and an edit: what the hell is up with the strings in that pic it doesnt look like its being strung and theres no strings on the top half in the pic

I have owned one but sold it, anyway i will get one sooner or later again i think.
The strings in the pic are cut thats why it looks like that.

[Automatix]

A rare sight indeed...

[Dave M]

Originally Posted by ericsson

Yes it was, that's the one i'm talking about
Nice memory!
Of course i have pictures, look here:

I remember seeing these in a catalogue,(or maybe a press release) they were very limited as you say i sem to remember our rep here in the UK not wanting us to buy them.Wish i'd of tried harder now didn't realise they were that limited!

[MarrratSafin]

Originally Posted by ericsson

Yes it was, that's the one i'm talking about
Nice memory!



Of course i have pictures, look here:

Nice pic! Ah, wish I'd come across one someday...

[MarrratSafin]

Originally Posted by ericsson

Here the (unstrung) specs for the Pure Power:

Weight: 310g
Flex: 70
Balance: 330mm
SW: 310
Pattern: 16x19

The racket hits a very heavy ball but controllable, totally different the the others, interesting stick.

That is very interesting specs indeed, strung up and the SW should be higher than static. Even (almost HH) balance for a 310g frame! Wow. And stiffer than the 1st gen PD, Pure Power is a good name for this frame.

[droliver]

I think Carlos Moya was always reported to play with Soft Drives under the Pure Drive paint job

[Dave M]

Originally Posted by droliver

I think Carlos Moya was always reported to play with Soft Drives under the Pure Drive paint job

I think you are right because if it's not a soft drive it's a pure drive with a lay up just like the soft!
I believe they were just too stiff stock for him but babolat were sure the PD would become a good seller with the right marketing.Though at the start it was only him, then the Lapenti brothers, just think though if they'd of signed some random French player then they'd of not had Nadal sign with them so easilly!

[flashfire276]

Originally Posted by ericsson

Yes it was, that's the one i'm talking about
Nice memory!



Of course i have pictures, look here:

Dude.... That thing is freakin beautiful!!

[tototouri]

I purchased these sticks in France in 1996, from a guy who had been playing with them for a little over a year. I believe this first generation Pure Control was never sold in the US.
I LOVE these racquets (in spite of the nasty paint job, which is a huge compliment coming from me). Unfortunately, they are massive (363 grams strung, no lead) and very head-heavy. I do not have the strength (or technique) to hit effectively with them for more than an hour!
http://picasaweb.google.com/tototour...K7Oq_fnndqgYg#