Our Story
At Byron Bay Skateboards, we specialize in crafting vintage-inspired, handcrafted timber skateboards that evoke the spirit of the sidewalk surfer boards from the 1950s and ’60s. One day, as I was admiring one of my boards, a thought crossed my mind—what if I added a handlebar to the front? I couldn’t help but recall those iconic fruit box scooters of the ’50s. You know, the ones that bring to mind that unforgettable scene from Back to the Future when Marty McFly rips off the front section and skates into history.
These fruit box scooters, while cool in their own right, are a bit impractical and old-fashioned for today’s world. So, I began to wonder: What if there was a modern take on this idea—something that took the sidewalk surfer back to its roots but with a fresh twist? That’s when the images of ’70s dragster bicycles flooded my mind. The hotrod styling, the rebellious ethos—it all clicked. Skateboarding and hotrod culture have always had a symbiotic relationship, and it felt like something was coming together.
So, I asked myself: What if a dragster bicycle and a skateboard had a love child? What would that look like?
Enter the Dragmaster Scooterboard!
I had this idea, but how was I going to bring it to life? Once upon a time, I would have gone straight to my Grandfather—an engineer with a workshop out the back of his house who could craft just about anything. Sadly, my Grandfather passed away many moons ago, so I said a little prayer, asking him to help guide me to the right person who could help me develop this concept further.
The first step, I figured, was to get some concept drawings done to outline the idea. I started searching for designers online. Having watched shows like Overhaulin’ with Chip Foose, where custom designs were sketched out before the work began, I thought an automotive designer might be the perfect fit—especially with the hotrod connection I was envisioning. After reviewing a few contenders, I stumbled upon Peter Stevens’ website. Peter, a prolific car designer from the UK, is responsible for some of the most iconic car designs ever created. While I was familiar with his cars, this was my first introduction to the man behind the designs.
At first, I thought a designer of Peter’s caliber might not be interested in a push scooter, but that little voice inside my head told me to send the email anyway. What did I have to lose?
Re. Design Work – Hi Peter, Do you still do freelance design work? I have a small but interesting job for you.
You’ve Got Mail
“Hi there Michael, Indeed I do still do freelance design work. Nice website you have there. Let me know what you are thinking, happy to respond, Peter.”
Although Peter didn’t yet know what the project was about, and I wasn’t sure if he’d be interested in taking it on, I was thrilled to get such a prompt response. Without wasting any time, I crafted a reply email outlining my idea for this hotrod-inspired “Scooterboard,” accompanied by a very basic visual of what I had in mind.
“Hi Peter, Here’s the scoop. As I make vintage-inspired timber skateboards, reminiscent of the old Sidewalk Surfers of the 50’s and 60’s, albeit larger in size, they share a similar aesthetic (including whitewall wheels). This has organically led me to develop a Scooterboard. These aren’t your typical scooters; they’re more akin to the old milk/fruit crate scooters from the 50’s (you might remember that famous scene from Back to the Future where Marty rips off the crate and skates it like a skateboard). While those were cool in their own right, they’re a bit old hat and impractical. As for modern scooterboards, well, let’s just say they’re not quite there yet (see attachment Board 1).
I see an opportunity to create something better—something cooler. My idea is to take one of our pintail cruisers as the base and design a ‘bolt-on’ set of handlebars/gooseneck that attaches to the top of the trucks. The style I’m envisioning would draw inspiration from vintage hotrod design or a Dragster bicycle from the 60’s or 70’s—think that kind of look and vibe, but on a skateboard. I’m sure you get the idea. Something an engineer can fabricate for me. I’ve attached a very rough concept photo as a guide. I’m confident you can work your magic on this! I look forward to hearing back from you and getting a quote. Many thanks and warmest regards! – Michael.”
Guess What? He Totally Dug The Idea
Awesome! Not only was Peter interested in taking on the job, but he also had an emotional connection to the project. His own memories of skateboarding as a boy and the fact that designing a skateboard was his first-ever design project made this collaboration feel like destiny. The stars couldn’t have aligned better. I couldn’t have asked for a better person to join the project. Without hesitation, I let Peter know I was thrilled to have him design the scooterboard.
Concept Drawings
Peter got to work, producing a set of five distinct designs based on the same core concept. The Byron Bay Skateboards Surfin’ Bird ‘Cosy Cruiser’ board served as the base for these designs. Of the designs Peter presented, the one labeled Scooterboard 02 stood out to me as the perfect fit to lead with for the first prototype and release model. It quickly became known throughout the development process as the HB2 (Handlebar 2).
Product Name
After receiving Peter’s drawings, I felt a surge of inspiration to find the perfect name for this new scooter/skateboard hybrid. I initially considered calling it a ‘dragster scooter,’ staying true to its literal roots, but it felt a bit too straightforward. Then, ‘Dragmaster’ came to mind – a slight twist on the original term, but packed with attitude and more. I loved it. Plus, it paid homage to the legendary Dragmaster shop in Carlsbad, California, founded by Jim Nelson and Dode Martin in 1959. And just like that, we had a name: The Dragmaster Scooterboard. I think it’s a perfect fit – what do you think?
Logos
I sketched a couple of logo drafts for Dragmaster and sent them over to my graphic designer, Aaron Wasil. Aaron has worked with me on various projects, including t-shirt prints and logo designs for Byron Bay Streetwear. Whenever I need something, he’s always delivered with precision and creativity. True to form, Aaron took my rough ideas and transformed them into sleek, professional logos that now stand proudly at the forefront of the Dragmaster brand.
Boards
Peter Stevens and the Design Collaboration:
“For me, the very long wheelbase boards look a little bit less exciting than the boards of around 40 inches.” – Peter Stevens
With the handlebars in place, I thought it would be cool to feature a Peter Stevens-designed skateboard shape, making it a truly authentic Peter Stevens Scooterboard. So, I asked Peter if he’d be interested in taking on the design challenge. He thought it would be fun and enthusiastically accepted.
“I have attached a number of decorative ideas for application on a unique board design. The plan shape of the board comes from the outline of the famous 1952 So-Cal Belly Tank Lakester racer, built and raced by my very good friend Alex Xydias.”
With the Dragmaster board shape inspired by the Belly Tank Lakester, we’re releasing a limited edition “So-Cal 28” design (with graphics created by Peter) as part of the initial launch of the D Kustom range.
“The limited edition So-Cal 28 design isn’t just a tribute to the legendary So-Cal Speed Shop—it’s a way of carrying forward that spirit of innovation and rebellious design. For those who appreciate the fine details and artistry of custom cars and bikes, this board brings that same passion to the pavement.”
The Dragmaster Classic board graphics were designed by Aaron Wasil. The Dragmaster Heritage’s laminated timber design connects the product back to its sidewalk surfer roots and the boards produced by its parent brand, Byron Bay Skateboards. The launch release model is a limited edition featuring ‘GT’ stripes.
The ‘bolt-on’ handlebars were designed to reflect the customizable nature of hot rods, where every detail could be personalized to fit the rider’s needs. It’s more than just a design choice—it’s a connection to the way these vehicles were created for both style and function. The ‘GT stripes’ are not only a nod to classic racing aesthetics but also reinforce the Dragmaster’s speed-inspired look, reflecting both performance and personality.
Alex Xydias (1922–2024) was a pioneering figure in hot-rodding and the founder of the iconic So-Cal Speed Shop. His legacy continues to inspire enthusiasts and designers worldwide.
