Good Wear Hercules in Black Shinki

[J Leather Investigater]

Well I promised several people I would post photos of this one when it came in last month and I have been slow in getting around to it. I think that might be for the best though because in the meantime I have been wearing the jacket every weekend and it now fits me better than it did when it arrived.
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I know that the Hercules is a style that is near and dear to the heart of several of our members here but I had actually never paid much attention to this jacket until about this time last year when Boyo received his GW Hercules in brown Shinki. Something about the photos of that jacket grabbed me and I put down a deposit that very day. I checked in with John Chapman shortly afterwards and he told me that he thought he would be ready to get around to it in about 12 months.
I reached out to him again 11 months just to see where we were at and I was blown away when he told me that he wanted to make my jacket that weekend! I jumped into action because I knew I wanted a Harris Tweed lining (I’ve done this in all three of my GW jackets) and a riri zipper. I ordered both and had them delivered directly to John.
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The jacket is absolutely gorgeous, but my initial impressions were actually somewhat lukewarm. It does not fit as well as my GW Arcadia not my Ventura. I do not think this is because the measurements are off (they are practically identical) but rather because the patterns are different. The Arcadia has shoulder gussets and the Ventura has an action back and those features make a big difference in mobility There was a binding sensation through the upper arms of the Hercules that was quite noticeable when I received the jacket. I’m happy to say this has lessened with wear and use. This jacket was also remarkably flat and grainless when it arrived which is something I am not used to seeing with Shinki. Happy to say that that is also changing as lines and wrinkles begin to appear with each wear.
I’ll close out with a couple photos in front of me in front of my Monte Carlo because somehow everything is just cooler when she’s around.
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VERY COOOOOL! I like the jacket to

 

[navetsea]

congrats! great looking jacket and fit, and real cool car

 

[Fonzie]

Stunning both the Jacket and car, you are a man of style my friend.

 

[Tom71]

This is just a great jacket! It looks like a very good fit too. Wouldn’t want this to be too roomy!

Phantastic ride too! Whenever you post pictures of that beauty, I get heartbroken for exchanging my Roadster for a generic limousine.

 

[Robbie79]

Well I promised several people I would post photos of this one when it came in last month and I have been slow in getting around to it. I think that might be for the best though because in the meantime I have been wearing the jacket every weekend and it now fits me better than it did when it arrived.
View attachment 295178 View attachment 295179 View attachment 295180
I know that the Hercules is a style that is near and dear to the heart of several of our members here but I had actually never paid much attention to this jacket until about this time last year when Boyo received his GW Hercules in brown Shinki. Something about the photos of that jacket grabbed me and I put down a deposit that very day. I checked in with John Chapman shortly afterwards and he told me that he thought he would be ready to get around to it in about 12 months.
I reached out to him again 11 months just to see where we were at and I was blown away when he told me that he wanted to make my jacket that weekend! I jumped into action because I knew I wanted a Harris Tweed lining (I’ve done this in all three of my GW jackets) and a riri zipper. I ordered both and had them delivered directly to John.
View attachment 295181 View attachment 295182 View attachment 295183
The jacket is absolutely gorgeous, but my initial impressions were actually somewhat lukewarm. It does not fit as well as my GW Arcadia not my Ventura. I do not think this is because the measurements are off (they are practically identical) but rather because the patterns are different. The Arcadia has shoulder gussets and the Ventura has an action back and those features make a big difference in mobility There was a binding sensation through the upper arms of the Hercules that was quite noticeable when I received the jacket. I’m happy to say this has lessened with wear and use. This jacket was also remarkably flat and grainless when it arrived which is something I am not used to seeing with Shinki. Happy to say that that is also changing as lines and wrinkles begin to appear with each wear.
I’ll close out with a couple photos in front of me in front of my Monte Carlo because somehow everything is just cooler when she’s around.
View attachment 295185 View attachment 295184

Cool outfit and car! The GW Hercules looks spectacular and fits you spot on IMO!

 

[Colin G]

Damn, what a beautiful jacket and car. Home run and a slam dunk.

 

[roadking04]

Awesome @El Marro, All the jackets you post from now on must include your Chevy! Muscle cars and black leather jackets just compliment each other so well. Rock on!

 

[Grayland]

Really like the cord lined cuffs, but the real star is the Monte Carlo. Seems more often than not, I see Monte Carlos with the vinyl roof. Really like how clean it looks without it. Love the rally wheels too. I don't think they can be improved upon.

When I was growing up in the late 70's, my best friends dad had one with a 402. What a cruiser - a gentleman's muscle car.

 

[El Marro]

Thanks for all the kind words gentlemen!
@Grayland my Monte Carlo began life with a Placer Gold paint job and a black vinyl top. Fortunately for me the previous owners undertook all of the bodywork and painted it this beautiful green. It is indeed a “gentlemen’s muscle car” and that is how GM marketed it to the guys who had outgrown the Camaro but weren’t quite ready yet for a four door sedan. I would love to have a 402, or even better a 454, but it gets around just fine with a 350 crate motor.

 

[torfjord]

Daaamn, as fine as that jacket is, the car kind of steals the show. Both look stellar!

 

[Boyo]

Love it!... the jacket looks great! Car ain’t bad either

 

[JMax]

I have to go back and look at the car pictures again. I didn’t even realize you and the GW were in them

 

[Benny Holiday]

The Herc is killer especially the lining, but that Monte Carlo - oh man! We never got that model out here in Oz. Well I've never seen one & I've been into the car scene here for 36 years. Beautiful ride. Way cool GW!

 

[dubpynchon]

Beautiful GW, I don't think it can get any better. Congratulations, your quest is over!

 

[El Marro]

Beautiful GW, I don't think it can get any better. Congratulations, your quest is over!

Oh I think we both know that isn’t true...
It is a beauty though and one I will definitely hold onto.

 

[Brandrea33]

That’s beautiful, congratulations!
A question from a newbie, but how is this pattern different from the Imperial that he also offers? Looks the same to me ...

 

[handymike]

Cut and shape is different, cuffs are different, collar is different. The Imperial was made before John had an original Hercules jacket in his possession. The Hercules is an exact repro. The Imperial is based on a Ventura with elements from the Hercules added. The back panel was elongated, the sides curved in slightly, and the cuffs were taken from a Californian jacket.

 

[powerserge]

Man, I keep coming back to this post because I just adore this jacket. The fit looks great and its making me want this or an imperial. @handymike Thanks for the distinction between the three jackets, as I wasn't too sure what the differences were. I don't usually like zip jackets and prefer button ups, but I could see myself getting something like this. Cheers!

 

[handymike]

My next Goodwear will be a button up Hercules. But it hasn’t been put into production yet.

 

[powerserge]

My next Goodwear will be a button up Hercules. But it hasn’t been put into production yet.

Oh that’s a good idea, can’t wait to see that come to fruition! To be honest, I’d probably go that route too