Dime Story - Drug Store rackets from the 60s

[graycrait]

In my early tennis years around 5-8 my mom used to give me 2-3 dollars in the spring and let me run up to Osco Drugs or Kresge's to buy a tennis racket for the season. Back then in the upper ******* we played tennis on the nearby asphalt park tennis courts from late March to late October.

Does anyone still have one of those "cheap" drug store or dime store rackets and could you take a pic or two and post or PM them to me?

 

[coachrick]

In my early tennis years around 5-8 my mom used to give me 2-3 dollars in the spring and let me run up to Osco Drugs or Kresge's to buy a tennis racket for the season. Back then in the upper ******* we played tennis on the nearby asphalt park tennis courts from late March to late October.

Does anyone still have one of those "cheap" drug store or dime store rackets and could you take a pic or two and post or PM them to me?

My first was a Spalding Pancho Gonzales from Western Auto. $5.65 No pics...sorry

 

[graycrait]

@coachrick , I remember when Western Auto first opened up in our town. The lines were long at first. Everyone wanted to see a convenience store that sold gasoline and sporting goods I guess. I got my first spincast rod/reel from there. We rode up there in the old station wagon with me and bro way in back in our jammies, no seat belts!

It wasn't this racket was it? I have this one because of the photo below.

Me at age 13.

 

[JW10S]

My first racquet was bought for me by my parents with trading stamps--something I'd guess most here have never heard of but it doesn't get much cheaper than that. It was a no-name brand that actually had a sticker that said 'A quality product featuring wood', like it was some new thing. I used it for a few sessions at a free public park program for kids. I then went to a pro for private lessons and the first time we hit he told my parents 'I'd love to take him on. Anyone who hit with that piece of crap is someone I can really work with'. Through him I then got my first 'real' racquet--a TAD Davis Hi-Point.

 

[coachrick]

@coachrick , I remember when Western Auto first opened up in our town. The lines were long at first. Everyone wanted to see a convenience store that sold gasoline and sporting goods I guess. I got my first spincast rod/reel from there. We rode up there in the old station wagon with me and bro way in back in our jammies, no seat belts!

It wasn't this racket was it? I have this one because of the photo below.

Me at age 13.

Great documentary pic!!!
That looks very similar; but yours is likely more expensive than mine was. My second was another Gonzales Autograph from the PX at Fort Jackson, SC. It was NINE dollars and I thought I was crazy to spend that much!!! Next was a Spalding Smasher...$36 at K-Mart. I thought I was cool with my Spalding aluminum when everyone else was buying the Wilson steels.

 

[graycrait]

My second was another Gonzales Autograph from the PX at Fort Jackson, SC

It wouldn't have been this PG Spalding would it? This was the racket before I spent big money on a Davis Imperial which promptly cracked in the hoop.

 

[coachrick]

It wouldn't have been this PG Spalding would it? This was the racket before I spent big money on a Davis Imperial which promptly cracked in the hoop.

Not that one...it was sleeker with more red; but I do think I remember that black trim on some back then. I even bought the Spalding PROFESSIONAL balls when I could afford them(white felt with colored seams!!!!).