).
This looks like a watered down, fashion jacket IMO. Takes all the cool right out of it. No offense to Del but I really don’t care for that. I prefer the original as it’s a legitimate piece of riding gear and not a show pony poser piece.
I'm 100% with you if the main use is for riding. But for filthy casual use I think it's a fantastic option with the premium / fancy leather. I don't ride and yet my favorite and most worn jacket is a comp weight model E.
Model E can’t be improved! I guess my feeling is that this badlassi Vanson… the attempt at “improvement” is not an improvement at all. I did read the blurb on Del’s site and it does state that the jacket is basically meant for anything but what the manufacturer created it for. Seems odd to me but different strokes for different folks.
Some older Excelled are OK. The one in your post loos like a later bonded leather plastic jacket. I’d. avoid.
Thank you for the reply!
I have two 1980s excelled jackets. One has a wider shoulder than the other one. However, the leather is great for this price bracket. They can be found on eBay, sub $200.
I wear a 44 in pretty much everything these days but had an Excelled cross zip in a 42 that fit well. They didn’t break any needles sewing the leather together but Excelled certainly had one of the best patterns ever! I ended up selling it but thought about keeping it to use as a fit jacket or a template to send if I ever did a custom order.
I have to agree with this. Way back in college in the early '90's a friend lent me his Excelled, (from the late 60's) that had been customized for him (eagle painted on the back and some decorative studs here & there). Unfortunately no photos of it to my knowledge on me, how I do wish I would have done that! The leather was not "the best" or even all that great in all reality. However, it fit perfectly, moved with you well, smelled amazing and held up the rigors of college life, backpacks and bicycles etc. So yeah, it's worth check out a "good" one when you run across it.
One of the best modern Vansons I've seen, if I was located in the States I would really have to think about pulling the trigger on this beauty.
John Lofgren Monkey Boots Shinki Horsebuttt - $1,136 The classic monkey boot silhouette in an incredibly rich Shinki russet horse leather. 
Grant Stone Diesel Boot Dark Olive Chromexcel - $395 Goodyear welted, Horween Chromexcel, classic good looks. 
Schott 568 Vandals Jacket - $1,250 The classic Perfecto motorcycle jacket, in a very special limited-edition Schott double rider style. 
