Condition

10

10: New
9: Mint
8: Excellent
7: Good
6: Fair
5: Average
4: Below Average
3: Poor

| Rarity

8

10: Impossibly rare
9: Extremely rare
8: Hard to find
7: Fairly rare
6: Uncommon
5: Common
<4: Big Seller

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About This Racket

Snauwaert were a powerhouse of innovation in the era of wooden rackets. The Caravelle was their early signature racket released in 1966 (World Cup year!). This Caravelle had a whole host of new features. It was one of the first with ribbed+perforated leather grip. It had a 3D shaft with a special anti-vibration slot system. Laminated with multiple hard-woods and internally drilled to prevent string breakages. Wow.

Specifications (👋 not yet accurate….check back soon)

About Snauwaert

Snauwaert, is one of the biggest names is tennis, but one only tennis geeks know about. That’s because they manufactured mainly for other brands! Founded in 1928 in Beveren, Belgium, by Valeer Snauwaert and Eugeen Depla , the company initially focused on producing wooden sports equipment. Their expertise in woodworking, honed from their previous work in car body construction, laid the foundation for their venture into the sports industry. During the 1930s, Snauwaert & Depla expanded their operations, moving to a larger facility in Brabantstraat, Beveren, and began exporting their products internationally. However, World War II brought significant challenges, and the company shifted its production to sleds due to the war’s impact on the sports market. After the war, despite the untimely death of Valeer Snauwaert, the company resumed its growth under the leadership of his son Karel and Eugeen Depla’s son Andrée. The 1950s and 1960s marked a period of significant expansion and innovation for Snauwaert. They successfully adapted to the establishment of the European Economic Community in 1957 and capitalized on the tennis boom in America during the 1960s, becoming a leading brand in tennis racket production. The 1970s were a golden era for Snauwaert. The company reached its peak, producing about 800,000 rackets per year and becoming a supplier for major brands like Adidas, Lacoste, and Spalding. This period also saw the introduction of iconic models such as the Snauwaert Pro Wood and the Snauwaert FP10, which were favored by both professionals and amateurs. In the 1980s, Snauwaert continued to innovate, introducing new materials like graphite and composite materials into their rackets. The company also made a significant marketing push by sponsoring prominent tennis players such as Vitas Gerulaitis, Yannick Noah, Emilio Sánchez, and Mats Wilander. This era saw the creation of revolutionary rackets like the Snauwaert Grip 2, Snauwaert Boron, and Snauwaert Mid, which offered a balance of power and control. However, the 1990s brought increased competition and financial difficulties for Snauwaert. Despite efforts to adapt and release new models, the company struggled to keep pace with the rapidly evolving market. The unexpected death of Karel Snauwaert in 1985 further compounded these challenges. By the early 1990s, Snauwaert faced significant financial difficulties, and despite attempts to revive the brand, the company ceased production in the mid-1990s. In 2016, Snauwaert was relaunched by Patrick Vanoppen and Roberto Gazzara, aiming to blend the brand’s historical craftsmanship with modern innovations. The company introduced new product lines, including tennis accessories and padel rackets, and brought Karl Snauwaert, Karel’s son, on board to manage operations in the Benelux region.

Gallery

Snauwaert Timeline