Presenting an exceptional opportunity for collectors and enthusiasts of vintage alpine equipment: a pair of museum-quality, brand new old stock (NOS) snow skis, never drilled or mounted. This exclusive set, known as "Ebony & Ivory," features two iconic 210cm models from the 1960s—the HEAD Vector and the NISHIZAWA Attila HAWK—offering a rare glimpse into mid-century ski craftsmanship and design innovation.
Brand and Model Context
The HEAD Vector and NISHIZAWA Attila HAWK skis represent two distinct but equally prestigious lines from the golden era of competitive downhill skiing. HEAD, founded by Howard Head in Baltimore, Maryland, around 1950, revolutionized ski construction with its metal sandwich design. This breakthrough improved torsional rigidity and performance, setting a new standard for racing skis worldwide. The Vector model exemplifies this innovation, featuring a wood core reinforced with metal in a sandwich construction, a hallmark of HEAD’s engineering excellence.
The NISHIZAWA Attila HAWK, produced in Japan during the same era, is a wood core ski likely utilizing a torsion box construction similar to other renowned models such as the Olympic champion DYNAMIC VR17 and K2’s Four, 710 FO, and KVC skis. It is finished with a laminate epoxy adhesive and features the highly sought-after Japanese 'Poly-Tex' base material, known for its durability and glide. The Attila HAWK’s screw-in edges further underscore its race-ready design and meticulous craftsmanship.
Both skis measure 210cm in length, placing them firmly in the category of long skis favored for giant slalom and downhill racing disciplines. The HEAD Vector is distinguished by its ebony black finish, while the NISHIZAWA Attila HAWK presents an ivory white top sheet. Together, they create a striking visual contrast reminiscent of piano keys, a fitting metaphor for this "Ebony & Ivory" pairing.
Condition and Details
This set is offered in New Old Stock (NOS) condition, meaning the skis are factory-wrapped, never drilled, and never mounted with bindings. Such an un-drilled condition is exceptionally rare for skis of this vintage, making this pair a highly desirable collector’s item and investment-grade artifact. The skis retain immaculate top sheets and bases, with the HEAD Vector featuring a rare graphite base and excellent edges.
Serial numbers authenticate the provenance of each ski: the HEAD Vector carries serial #210B 16999, while the NISHIZAWA Attila HAWK is marked with serial #3750. These identifiers support the skis’ originality and factory condition, enhancing their value for collectors and museums alike.
These skis are ideal for display in luxury mountain homes, ski lodges, and private collections. Their combination of historical significance, superior construction, and pristine condition makes them perfect as wall decor or as centerpiece artifacts in a home bar, pub, or man cave dedicated to ski history. The set’s rarity and condition also position it as a potential investment-grade acquisition for serious collectors of vintage alpine equipment.
For those interested in exploring more from this legendary brand, browse our full HEAD collection to discover additional historic models, detailed brand history, and other rare finds from the pioneering era of metal sandwich ski construction.
Explore the Museum Archive
Discover more from our curated collection of vintage alpine skiing history:
- Brand Collection — Explore the full OTHER archive.
- The Evolution of Alpine Skiing — Understand the historical context of this ski.
- Famous Alpine Ski Poster Artists — Discover the art that shaped ski culture.
- Related Poster — Vintage ski history.
Alpine Ski Posters & Vintage Skis | LongSkisTruck™ Ski Archive
Preserving one ski, one story at a time.
