Another find!!Bancroft Bjorn Borg Wimbeldon
- Thread starter tennis005
- Start date
coachrick
Hall of Fame
My really old brain doesn't remember a Borg Wimbledon. The Bancroft model Borg used(ostensibly) was the Borg Personal. I'd like to see some pics, also.
tennis005
Hall of Fame
Here's a pic. I'll try to get my own pics up later.http://www.80s-tennis.com/pages/vilas-aldao-8.html
MAXXply
Hall of Fame
Judging by the cheapo candy-cane nylon fitted to the one in that pic, it looks to be a chain store racket. Bancroft's addition of the "BJ" and "Wimbledon" monikers was probably in hope that consumers would be impressed enough to pick one up along with their other shopping at K-Mart/JC Penny c.1981 (?) I'm happy to be corrected.
tennis005
Hall of Fame
http://img690.imageshack.us/g/bancroft005.jpg/
Here are my pics.
Here are my pics.
Here's another Bancroft I recently found at a thrift store that also took advantage of the Borg connection. The Monte Carlo. They also have a Monte Carlo without Borg's name attached, so this was probably just a re-issue with his name slapped on there. It is a nice racquet, though not anything Borg used.
Manufacturers naturally would squeeze everything they could out of their sponsored players. I've heard Dunlop has more than 80 models with McEnroe's name on them.
Manufacturers naturally would squeeze everything they could out of their sponsored players. I've heard Dunlop has more than 80 models with McEnroe's name on them.
tennis005
Hall of Fame
OK, owmuchizzitworth?
Cesare
Semi-Pro
Here's another Bancroft I recently found at a thrift store that also took advantage of the Borg connection. The Monte Carlo. They also have a Monte Carlo without Borg's name attached, so this was probably just a re-issue with his name slapped on there. It is a nice racquet, though not anything Borg used.
Manufacturers naturally would squeeze everything they could out of their sponsored players. I've heard Dunlop has more than 80 models with McEnroe's name on them.
That's a very nice good looking frame
MAXXply
Hall of Fame
I'd agree with schu47 in that this was a lesser model Bancroft produced to wring as much money out of its association with Borg...apart from the cheapo strings, take a closer look at the grip - it appears to be a thinner spec than a traditional full leather grip, worn over the years to now reveal the white plastic butt. (in contrast, grab your JKs, or a Maxply Fort and feel the richness of the cowhide). In answer to your question, I'd suggest you put it up on the auction site and let the punters decide.
Virginia
Hall of Fame
That looks quite different from the one I bought, that you are still holding on my behalf. Have you compared the two?Here's another Bancroft I recently found at a thrift store that also took advantage of the Borg connection. The Monte Carlo. They also have a Monte Carlo without Borg's name attached, so this was probably just a re-issue with his name slapped on there. It is a nice racquet, though not anything Borg used.
Manufacturers naturally would squeeze everything they could out of their sponsored players. I've heard Dunlop has more than 80 models with McEnroe's name on them.
Virginia, I forgot that I still had your Monte Carlo Pro. Duh. Here they are, side by side. Identical, as far as I can tell, except that Bancroft spruced up the graphics and the paint job when they added the Borg name (probably bumped the price up, too).
Maxxply, I agree this must be a lower end model. The leather grip isn't worn -- it just was wrapped with a little of the white plastic butt showing. Sort of a plumber's butt wrap. But the leather is thinner and more sandpapery-feeling than a quality leather grip would be. Still solid, however. The thing about wood racquets is that they are substantial, and this one's no exception.
I never started out to collect wood racquets, but I find them very interesting, and it seems to me manufacturers took more care in creating them than they do now with modern racquets. Wood is just a more beautiful material, as are the old frames' laminations, paint and graphics. The laminations on even lower end racquets like these are gorgeous.
Maxxply, I agree this must be a lower end model. The leather grip isn't worn -- it just was wrapped with a little of the white plastic butt showing. Sort of a plumber's butt wrap. But the leather is thinner and more sandpapery-feeling than a quality leather grip would be. Still solid, however. The thing about wood racquets is that they are substantial, and this one's no exception.
I never started out to collect wood racquets, but I find them very interesting, and it seems to me manufacturers took more care in creating them than they do now with modern racquets. Wood is just a more beautiful material, as are the old frames' laminations, paint and graphics. The laminations on even lower end racquets like these are gorgeous.
