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Post by Aquala1 on Nov 21, 2017 10:49:22 GMT -8
Thanks for all the information in this thread. I was trying to identify the vintage of an Aquala suit that I had for sale, photos here, Based on the timeline above, it was manufactured sometime between 1958 and 1968. Not sure what to make of it, I am based in the USA, but the majority of those who have expressed interest in the suit reside in Europe. Kc27, thanks for posting this. A few months ago, I came across your listing, inquired, but never heard back. I’m guessing it’s still for sale? If so, send me a private message through the forum. I’m interested in buying it.
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Post by DavidRitchieWilson on Nov 22, 2017 7:38:02 GMT -8
I've recently taken delivery via eBay of some 1960 and 1961 issues of "Skin Diver", which feature several Aquala ads that don't appear to have been posted anywhere else online. I've scanned and reproduced them below. 1. March 19602. July 19603. September 19604. November 19605. May 1961DRW
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Post by nikeajax on Nov 22, 2017 7:44:29 GMT -8
"Huh... I wonder how much this will hurt?"JB
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Post by Deleted on Nov 22, 2017 9:23:34 GMT -8
In 57 years, about a 66% increase. Not too bad considering other things.
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Post by vance on Nov 22, 2017 12:25:36 GMT -8
$99.50 with a 20% discount!!?? I'll take 2!
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Post by Aquala1 on Nov 22, 2017 19:11:13 GMT -8
Ha! Great stuff DRW. Like I said in the tech support post, that one of the “diving helmet”, I’d never seen before. Truth is, I’ve only seen that first one, but those others are new to me. I see that Aquala liked to always include their address in all their ads. The 3720 W 54th Street is in South Central, LA and I went by the old shop when I was through LA, on my way to Laguna Beach beach for the photoshoot. Here’s what it looks like today:
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Post by nikeajax on Nov 23, 2017 10:25:50 GMT -8
Ty, thanks for sharing this with us: I like that the building is a very positive part of the community too JB
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Post by vance on Nov 23, 2017 11:32:45 GMT -8
The suits look awesome! Congratulations on getting these on the market. I'd love to have one, but I just bought a new semi-dry wetsuit. Dang.
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Post by Aquala1 on Nov 23, 2017 18:46:53 GMT -8
Ty, thanks for sharing this with us: I like that the building is a very positive part of the community too JB I thought it was pretty cool too. Not only is the building still there, it’s being put to good use. Being that it’s in South Central, I was expecting that area to be bad and run down. While it’s not Beverly Hills, the area is very well kept, and clean. There’s a lot of pride in that community, and it was nice to see.
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Post by nikeajax on Nov 24, 2017 9:09:58 GMT -8
Did you just snap a few images, or did you go inside and tell them some of he history? There's a Jewish bakery in Oakland that used to belong to my wife's family. We have a picture of her baby-faced father standing out front only a very few short years before shipping off for war. It was called The Golden West: they were known for their tamales... made by Sicilian-Americans?!?!?!? Hopefully one of these days soon, we will bring them that image as well as that of their business card JB
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Post by Aquala1 on Nov 24, 2017 15:16:36 GMT -8
We rolled through on a Saturday, so unfortunately they weren’t open. It would be really cool to check out the inside, and share some of the history with those ladies.
Hopefully someday, some photos will surface of this building in the 1950s with a Bel-Aqua or Aquala sign hanging out front. Like what y’all have planned for Nora’s dad’s old shop, it would be cool to do the same.
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Post by DavidRitchieWilson on Feb 1, 2018 4:36:54 GMT -8
A couple more Bel Aqua/Aquala ads that I hope haven't been posted here before. The first is a Bel Aqua suit ad from page 6 of the November 1956 edition of Skin Diver Magazine, which is a special issue dedicated to exposure suits: The second is an Aquala snorkel ad from page 64 of the July 1960 edition of Skin Diver Magazine:
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Post by Aquala1 on Feb 9, 2018 5:33:37 GMT -8
Those are great DRW! I like how in the Bel-Aqua ad, the Bel-Aqua guy is holding a Hammer Head speargun. That was also one of their products at the time. Also, very cool with the snorkels. I’d love to find one of those someday.
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