Am i missing something ?

[eggleman]

a used Vanson A2 style jacket just sold for £550 on fleabay ... don't understand why anyone would pay so much when you could get a custom made Aero for a few quid more ? BTW no offence if the buyer is a member here !

 

[AeroFan_07]

Perhaps harder to obtain the US-made jacket there in the UK? Import duties/fees, etc?

 

[El Marro]

Congratulations, that A-2 turned out to be a wise investment!
I share your surprise because I have never considered that to be a particularly interesting model of Vanson’s. They excel at motorcycle leather jackets, and they are one of my favorite makers, but I would certainly look elsewhere when buying an A2.
Perhaps the buyer got wrapped up in the excitement of bidding? I know I have fallen into that trap a couple times and paid way more than I told myself I ever would just to win an auction.

 

[JMax]

Congratulations, that A-2 turned out to be a wise investment!
I share your surprise because I have never considered that to be a particularly interesting model of Vanson’s. They excel at motorcycle leather jackets, and they are one of my favorite makers, but I would certainly look elsewhere when buying an A2.
Perhaps the buyer got wrapped up in the excitement of bidding? I know I have fallen into that trap a couple times and paid way more than I told myself I ever would just to win an auction.

Yes, when I think Vanson I do not think flight jackets. But I guess the same question can be asked of those buying Aero MC jackets. Why, when Vanson specializes in true MC gear?

I dunno, maybe the buyer (s) wants a flight jacket in CW to ride in or whatever. That would be my first guess.

 

[dannyk]

Except for absurdly low ball offers or absurdly ridiculously high offers; jackets are worth whatever someone will pay. I know that sounds like a cop out, but it’s true. Things are all over the map in prices. No telling what things will sell for. Condition, availability, limited amounts,...too many factors.
Edited for typo

 

[Carlos840]

I get it, i paid 450$ for a black Vanson B-3, it's a a rare jacket i like, made by a company i really like, i was happy to pay that price.
If i was into A2s i could see myself buying a Vanson one, just as a collection piece.

 

[eggleman]

It wasn't my jacket unfortunately, just one that I was watching myself . As long as the buyer is happy , all's good I suppose . I had seen a couple that had sold for under $400 elsewhere , that's why this price surprised me .

 

[Edward]

a used Vanson A2 style jacket just sold for £550 on fleabay ... don't understand why anyone would pay so much when you could get a custom made Aero for a few quid more ? BTW no offence if the buyer is a member here !

Rarity, I guess. Like a Patrick Eggle guitar... ... or it could be a big fan of the brand, or somebody who looked at it compared to a new price anything else, or who just liked the jacket and doesn't know about A2s, or... hard to say.

As to bike jackets, the only reason I'd think twice about riding in an Aero would be lack of CE armour pads. There are folks who wear an armour underlayer underneath them, though, or who prefer to ride sans armour. THe Aero hide would be fine in the slide...

 

[Carlos840]

If this was my size, i'd buy it, and i don't even like A2's, but i trust Vanson to make a good jacket and i think it looks better than most mosre expensive A2s out there.

https://www.grailed.com/listings/15...s-leather-vanson-a2-horse-hide-leather-jacket

 

[eggleman]

Rarity, I guess. Like a Patrick Eggle guitar... ... or it could be a big fan of the brand, or somebody who looked at it compared to a new price anything else, or who just liked the jacket and doesn't know about A2s, or... hard to say.

As to bike jackets, the only reason I'd think twice about riding in an Aero would be lack of CE armour pads. There are folks who wear an armour underlayer underneath them, though, or who prefer to ride sans armour. THe Aero hide would be fine in the slide...

Thanks for the Patrick Eggle guitar reference ... as it happens I do have a few of the early Coventry made Patrick Eggle's .. so I get the collectors insanity !

 

[El Marro]

If this was my size, i'd buy it, and i don't even like A2's, but i trust Vanson to make a good jacket and i think it looks better than most mosre expensive A2s out there.

https://www.grailed.com/listings/15...s-leather-vanson-a2-horse-hide-leather-jacket

I’ve got to admit that is a beautiful jacket. And from what I know of the Vanson Horsehide jackets made in the late 90s and early 2000’s they are very special and they don’t come up for sale that often.
I totally understand your purchase of the Vanson B-3 and I would absolutely buy one for myself if it came up in my size. I just feel that there are so many better options when it comes to the A2 jacket.

 

[Edward]

Thanks for the Patrick Eggle guitar reference ... as it happens I do have a few of the early Coventry made Patrick Eggle's .. so I get the collectors insanity !

Interesting company, always thought it was a shame they didn't get more attention. Always half-way fancied one of the Fret King Esprits with the single p90, too.

I just feel that there are so many better options when it comes to the A2 jacket.

I suppose it also in part - as least for those choice of design - comes down to whether someone wants an A2 that's as accurate and specific as possible, or a vaguely, Schottish, flying-type jacket...

I've always had a wild notion of getting someone to build me an A2 that's totally historically accurate - save for the discrete addition of armours pockets. A Macqueen A2, but with a bit of added security. Only thing is, Iwouldn't be able to affod the vintage Triumph to go with it...

 

[eggleman]

Interesting company, always thought it was a shame they didn't get more attention. Always half-way fancied one of the Fret King Esprits with the single p90, too.



I suppose it also in part - as least for those choice of design - comes down to whether someone wants an A2 that's as accurate and specific as possible, or a vaguely, Schottish, flying-type jacket...

I've always had a wild notion of getting someone to build me an A2 that's totally historically accurate - save for the discrete addition of armours pockets. A Macqueen A2, but with a bit of added security. Only thing is, Iwouldn't be able to affod the vintage Triumph to go with it...

The Fret Kings were designed by Trevor Wilkinson , originally hand made in Brum before a lot of the production went overseas . Had a day down at the Birmingham factory where I had a long chat with Trevor and Peter Goalby ( ex Uriah Heep ) who was their sales director at the time . Don't know which was better , listening to Peter's tales of The Heep or Trevor's tales of meeting Leo Fender !

 

[El Marro]

Always half-way fancied one of the Fret King Esprits with the single p90, too.

My favorite electric guitar is a 2018 Gibson SG Junior with the single P90 pickup. I find it so much easier to dial-in the tone I like and it doesn’t seem like it’s missing anything for lack of a second pickup.

 

[Monitor]

I agree with @Carlos840 100%. It's Vanson so you're guaranteed to get a leather jacket of unparalleled quality. I don't see why it should cost any less. Plus, I imagine Vanson A-2's would be somewhat rare in Europe so that's another factor that affects the price.

Given the option for any certain style, I'd always sooner buy Vanson than any alternative.