Gullwing recently reissued their Pro 3 trucks with the groove in the hangar. Their website (http:/
/www.gullwingtruckco.com/about.php) notes “overwhelming demand” for this reissue but I
didn’t really feel this crushing wave out here in Ohio. I told people that I’d joined the Gullwing
Army and I got replies like, “Oh GOD... Go AWOL NOW” and when I described the groove to
a younger mini ramp / undervert specialist he replied simply, “sounds awful”. Still, for some
unknown reason I was compelled to acquire a set even though I had no complaints about my
regular trucks. The price is tad high due to U.S. manufacturing (though its a few bucks less for
the raw finish). The baseplates have the 6 hole pattern and the hangar axles are listed as being
8.75 wide. Trucks are supposed to turn with consistency and they have to durable. These Pro
III’s meet those standards to date. Anything else is personal preference and that is pointless to
discuss.

I set them up, ugly pink ones, with the stock bushings and without any risers. They fit nicely on
an 8.8 Creature and it looks like you could get away with up to 9.5 if you don’t mind a magic
carpet ride. They rode fine, they turn fast and recover fast and they aren’t noticeably heavier
than my regular trucks. I did a few slappies and rolled around the park without any issue other
than wheelbite (due to intentional looseness). I did notice that the kingpin washers seem to hit
against the hangar when the trucks are really loose. My washers actually bent after the first
session. I replaced the top stock bushings / washers with some Bones meds. and added ¼ inch
risers and I haven’t had any problems since.

Skate technology has come a long way since my first pair of Gullwings and I don’t know how
much the new incarnation resembles the originals but it is refreshing to take something from the
past and use it today in the way you’d have liked to 20 years ago. Any modern board beats the
shit out of a mini Alva Reategui from 1987. Like I said, I got these out of curiosity not necessity
and the unexpected outcome is that the Groove provides a mental boost to one’s internal
stoke level which, as a known conflagrant, can spark otherwise dull and routine sessions into
memorable assaults. Highly recommended (with bushing modification). Much gratitude to A.
Mercado from Gullwing. See photos: