The South Australian Racquet Company began in South Australia in the early 1970′s as the Wilson T-2000 (Lacoste design), Yonex and other metal racquets were starting to gather momentum in the marketplace. The business was started and owned by Charlie Wyatt and he produced the SA Racquet & ARCO racquets at home in “the shed” with assistance from his son Gary.
The decision to make racquets came from a conversation with a mate who owned a local squash centre and the first prototypes were squash racquets. These were not successful and so tennis racquets were tried. The very first models, called the Starmaker, were made from carbon steel like the Wilson’s but there were structual issues and so Charlie decided to try stainless steel. Stainless steel was not an easy material to work with and ARCO racquets may well have been a world first in this area, although we do have a photo of a Samuel Fox combination stainless steel/wood racquet, believed to be made in the 1930′s. Certainly, we have no additional knowledge of a full frame stainless steel racquet.
Charlie was an expert in Stainless Steel. He already had a business supplying stainless steel hospital trolleys and equipment and he was one of the pioneers in the development of stainless steel car exhaust systems, security doors and had worldwide patents on the construction of stainless steel yacht masts. His technology and skill included the creation of masts for the famous Australian yacht entered in the America’s Cup, Gretel 2.
The only Australian made all steel racquet called the STARMAKER c 1970′s. Both the carbon and stainless steel models were of a similar design. The pics below are of the stainless steel version branded ARCO.
In collaboration with Tubemakers (a large Australia-wide metal fabrication business), Charlie had stainless steel tubing made in the right widths and lengths to create his racquets. The process involved pressing a groove on one side of the tube to create the indentations for the string holes and then the bending process to create the head shape and bringing the end pieces together to from part of the handle. As welding point strength at the throat was an issue in both the carbon steel and stainless steel designs, two support clips were also welded in place. Despite the clips not being overly attractive they made the racquet almost unbreakable. Customers often requested the clips be left off custom orders but they were essential to avoid some of the issues being faced by the likes of Yonex OPS, Spalding Smasher etc who experienced painfully high numbers of welding fracture warranty claims. Charlie was very secretive about the processes and techniques needed to work with stainless steel and guarded his production techniques closely. The racquets had quite a good deal of flex and were very strong, and after exhaustive testing using various string tensions typical for the era, 19lbs mains and 16lb cross tensions were recommended which gave the racquet excellent feel without the loss of power and control.
The very early ARCO’s came with a green cover, gold ARCO logo whereas later models came with blue covers, white ARCO logo and blue/white nylon strings. There were two weights medium M 4 3/8, 4 1/2, 4 5/8, 4 3/4 and Light 4 1/4, 4 3/8, 4 1/2.
As the mid 70′s saw the arrival of oversize racquets, ARCO developed a version in stainless steel and these proved to be even better than the traditional size versions. Charlie also introduced white and black powder coated variations.
While the initial Starmakers were sold in retail stores, the later stainless steel racquets never really made it into the mainstream retail store network and they were also sold via a Sydney distributor, LINC International. There was an attempt to merge with the Oliver Sporting Goods Company who were closing their wooden racquet production facility in 1984, but this JV did not proceed.
Most sales occurred due to Charlie’s own efforts building a very strong club and coach network which led to sales in the thousands. While most sales were in South Australia, racquets were sold to players throughout Australia and overseas. Charlie even sent a few over to the Wilson T-2000 legend Jimmy Connors but never heard back. Jimmy don’t hesitate to contact us if you recall a very powerful racquet from Oz landing on your doorstep. In 1977 performance survey showed that in the last 3 state age titles (boys and girls up to U19) ARCO racquets had featured in 50 finals and won 38. Not a bad record.
Small original frame size on the left with powder coated oversize in white/black
in pre-finished stages
Juniors and Adults loved the racquet and below John Fitzgerald offers support.
The finished over sized product in black and below in white.
Charlie made a good living from racquet sales and was still making them when he passed away 20 years after starting production.
Here is a wonderful tribute to Charlie from a very happy customer:
For Charlie:
I know a man called Charlie whose skills are unsurpassed
He made my ARCO racquet which is another class
Some shots fly off my racquet that make me squeal with delight
While my opponents, beaten, just cringe in fright
Some may think I have a new invention
But no, my racquet is strung to a perfect tension
This ARCO of mine has given me pleasure
And hours of fun too many to measure
So sometime Charlie when you hear your name
It’s me saying thankyou for another game.
Alison November 1987
We thank Charlie’s wife Jean, son Gary and long time mate Ray Bastian for supplying this valuable information about ARCO. A wonderful tennis story about an ingenious Australian inventor.
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