1970s: Vintage Tennis Racquets from the Golden Era · Iconic, Collectible Wooden and Early Metal Models Sought by Collectors
IDENTIFICATION CARD
Donnay Allwood (Björn Borg Era)
Era: 1970s
Country: Belgium
Manufacturer: Donnay
Construction: Laminated wood
Weight: ~370 g (era-typical, strung)
Category: Wood control racket
Notable associations: Björn Borg (Donnay sponsored him from 1975 to 1983)
Collector focus: Player association · originality · condition
Iconic Status: One of the most recognizable wooden racquets of the 1970s, synonymous with precision and control.
History: Dominated the tennis scene in the 1970s, most famously used by Björn Borg at Wimbledon and Roland Garros.
Collectibility and Value: €50–€120 used, €100–€180 excellent/cover, exceptional up to ~€200. Available on eBay, Mercari, Barnebys, Catawiki.
Technical Notes: Predictable balance, ideal for topspin-heavy baseline play and precise net approaches.
Sources & research note: specifications and prices are period-typical estimates; individual examples vary. Player associations are listed only where documented.
IDENTIFICATION CARD
Bancroft Borg
Era: From 1977 (Bancroft contract: worldwide 1977–79, U.S. only from 1980)
Country: USA
Manufacturer: Bancroft
Construction: Laminated wood
Weight: ~375 g (era-typical, strung)
Category: Wood control racket
Notable associations: Björn Borg
Collector focus: Player association · originality · identification of painted Donnay Borg Pros
Iconic Status: The Bancroft models made for Björn Borg, whose sponsor contract led him to play Donnay frames painted as Bancrofts.
History: Borg was contracted to use Bancroft rackets worldwide from 1977 to 1979 and in the U.S. only from 1980, but he preferred the Donnay Borg Pro, which was painted to look like a Bancroft so he could honour the contract.
Collectibility and Value: €25–€80 used, €60–€90 excellent/cover, exceptional up to ~€180. Available on eBay, Wallapop, Mercari, Barnebys, Catawiki.
Technical Notes: Predictable response, ideal for classic net play.
Sources & research note: specifications and prices are period-typical estimates; individual examples vary. Contract details per the Tennis Museum (GB).
IDENTIFICATION CARD
Wilson Chris Evert Autograph
Era: 1976
Country: USA
Manufacturer: Wilson
Construction: Laminated wood
Weight: ~365 g (era-typical, strung)
Category: Wood control racket
Notable associations: Chris Evert (signed a racket deal with Wilson in 1972)
Collector focus: Player association · originality · condition
Iconic Status: One of the most famous women’s racquets of the 1970s, symbolizing precision and control.
History: Used and popularized by Chris Evert during her dominant years in the mid-1970s. The International Tennis Hall of Fame holds the wooden Wilson Pro Staff / Chris Evert she used to win the 1982 US Open.
Collectibility and Value: €50–€120 used, €100–€180 excellent/cover, exceptional up to ~€200. Available on eBay, Mercari, Barnebys, Catawiki.
Technical Notes: Predictable balance and feel, ideal for baseline precision and control.
Sources & research note: specifications and prices are period-typical estimates; individual examples vary. Player associations are listed only where documented.
IDENTIFICATION CARD
Prince Classic (1976)
Era: 1976
Country: USA
Manufacturer: Prince
Construction: Aluminium, oversized head
Weight: ~340 g (era-typical, strung)
Category: Metal transitional racket
Notable associations: Pam Shriver (one of the first to use it in major competition, per the Hall of Fame)
Collector focus: Historical significance · originality
Iconic Status: The oversized aluminium racquet, developed by Howard Head, that popularised the oversize design in the late 1970s.
History: Introduced in 1976, it offered a larger sweet spot and more power. It was the first oversize racquet to be patented, although the Bentley Fortissimo of 1972 predates it.
Collectibility and Value: €80–€150 used, €150–€250 excellent/original packaging, exceptional up to €300. Available on eBay, Mercari, Barnebys, Catawiki.
Technical Notes: Larger sweet spot ideal for aggressive baseline play, still maintains good control for its size.
Sources & research note: specifications and prices are period-typical estimates; individual examples vary. The 1976 date and the Shriver association are documented by the International Tennis Hall of Fame.
IDENTIFICATION CARD
Wilson T2000
Era: 1967–1984
Country: USA
Manufacturer: Wilson
Construction: Tubular steel
Weight: ~370 g (era-typical, strung)
Category: Metal power/control racket
Notable associations: Jimmy Connors (played it for some eighteen years; the Hall of Fame holds the one he used at the 1983 US Open)
Collector focus: Player association · historical significance
Iconic Status: Legendary metal racquet of the 1970s, symbolizing innovation and power in professional tennis.
History: Based on a design by René Lacoste, introduced by Wilson in 1967 and produced until 1984. Connors won Wimbledon with it in 1974.
Collectibility and Value: €120–€250 used, €200–€400 excellent/original grip, exceptional up to €500. Available on eBay, Mercari, Barnebys, Catawiki.
Technical Notes: A small head with a very small sweet spot, according to the ATP.
Sources & research note: specifications and prices are period-typical estimates; individual examples vary. History per the International Tennis Hall of Fame and the ATP.
IDENTIFICATION CARD
Head Vilas / AMF Head Wooden Racquet
Era: 1970s
Country: Austria / USA
Manufacturer: Head (AMF)
Construction: Laminated wood
Weight: ~370 g (era-typical, strung)
Category: Wood control/spin racket
Notable associations: Guillermo Vilas (1977 French Open and US Open)
Collector focus: Player association · originality
Iconic Status: Iconic racquet of the 1970s, associated with the legendary Guillermo Vilas.
History: Used by Vilas during his peak in the 1970s, especially on clay courts.
Collectibility and Value: €50–€120 used, €100–€180 excellent/cover, exceptional up to ~€200. Available on eBay, Mercari, Barnebys, Catawiki.
Technical Notes: Balanced and predictable response, ideal for baseline topspin and precise net play.
Sources & research note: specifications and prices are period-typical estimates; individual examples vary. Sources differ on whether the Head Vilas was solid wood or a wood/graphite composite.
IDENTIFICATION CARD
Head Competition
Era: 1970s
Country: Austria
Manufacturer: Head
Construction: Aluminium
Weight: ~350 g (era-typical, strung)
Category: Metal control racket
Notable associations: Arthur Ashe (sponsored by Head; beat Connors in the 1975 Wimbledon final)
Collector focus: Player association · historical significance · condition
Iconic Status: A Head aluminium frame tied to Arthur Ashe’s win over Jimmy Connors in the 1975 Wimbledon final.
History: Head introduced its aluminium frame at the 1969 US Open. Ashe, one of the players Head sponsored, won Wimbledon in 1975 by defeating Jimmy Connors, who played the steel Wilson T2000.
Collectibility and Value: €50–€110 used, €100–€170 excellent/cover, exceptional up to ~€200. Available on eBay, Mercari, Barnebys, Catawiki.
Technical Notes: Lightweight aluminium frame, rewarding touch and placement over raw pace.
Sources & research note: specifications and prices are period-typical estimates; individual examples vary. Head’s sponsorship of Ashe and the 1975 final are documented; the exact model Ashe held in the final is not confirmed here.
IDENTIFICATION CARD
Wilson Kramer Pro Staff (Wood)
Era: Late 1970s–early 1980s
Country: USA
Manufacturer: Wilson
Construction: Laminated wood
Weight: ~370 g (era-typical, strung)
Category: Wood control racket, transitional
Notable associations: John McEnroe (played it in 1980, including the Wimbledon final against Borg)
Collector focus: Player association · transitional design · condition
Iconic Status: The wood frame John McEnroe carried into his breakout years on tour, before signing with Dunlop in 1981.
History: Represents the final generation of tour-level wood construction, used at the highest level just before graphite and composite frames took over completely.
Collectibility and Value: €60–€130 used, €110–€190 excellent/cover, exceptional up to ~€220. Available on eBay, Mercari, Barnebys, Catawiki.
Technical Notes: Stiffer than earlier 1960s wood frames, built to bridge the gap toward the metal and composite era.
Sources & research note: specifications and prices are period-typical estimates; individual examples vary. McEnroe’s use of the Jack Kramer Pro Staff in 1980 is documented by tennishead.
Related Reading
→ When a Tennis Racket Becomes Collectible — the historical transitions that define this decade
→ Legends of the Game — Borg, Connors, Evert and the rackets they made famous
→ Rivalries — the matchups behind these frames, decade by decade