technovox
One Too Many
- Messages
- 1,241
- Location
- San Francisco
It seems sometimes I get so wrapped up and enchanted by all these newer jackets, I tend to overlook the time tested classics (upon which many of these newer models are based.) So while I’m waiting for my new Aero iteration from Thurston, here’s a look at something I picked up recently- a vintage Cal Leathers motorcycle jacket in horsehide. Over fifty years old.
I found it at a consignment store, hidden on the back rack, like some forgotten orphan, (and at a price that was ludicrously reasonable for the quality and pedigree.) I couldn’t walk away without it.
The arms are longer than the usual vintage jackets I find, and the horsehide is heavy, thick, and in wonderful shape. Every time I put it on, it just feels hefty, substantial and solid. I particularly like the simple no-action/no gusseted back, and the absence of belt loops and extraneous pockets. It just has two zippered hand warmers and an interior pocket. My only complaint is that it may be just a little short on me- the front just grazes the top of my belt- but I suppose that is the nature of the style.
I didn’t realize this, but Cal Leathers of Ventura is still in business, and all their jackets are custom made. When I called down there to Cal Leathers, they were very informative about the history and details of this particular jacket. The label (red letters on white label) and Conmar zips placed the year it was made at 1957. A CHP jacket (California Highway Patrol.)
According to the folks at Cal Leathers, it originally it sold for $85 in 1957- a lot of money back when the average hourly wage was 85 cents. If I were to order it today, it would set me back around 2k.
Although I’m typically more of a Café Racer or Half-belt kind of guy, I can’t deny that sometimes it nice to have that bad-ass moto jacket waiting in the wings, for those rare occasions. And this one just seemed to drop into my lap.
I found it at a consignment store, hidden on the back rack, like some forgotten orphan, (and at a price that was ludicrously reasonable for the quality and pedigree.) I couldn’t walk away without it.
The arms are longer than the usual vintage jackets I find, and the horsehide is heavy, thick, and in wonderful shape. Every time I put it on, it just feels hefty, substantial and solid. I particularly like the simple no-action/no gusseted back, and the absence of belt loops and extraneous pockets. It just has two zippered hand warmers and an interior pocket. My only complaint is that it may be just a little short on me- the front just grazes the top of my belt- but I suppose that is the nature of the style.
I didn’t realize this, but Cal Leathers of Ventura is still in business, and all their jackets are custom made. When I called down there to Cal Leathers, they were very informative about the history and details of this particular jacket. The label (red letters on white label) and Conmar zips placed the year it was made at 1957. A CHP jacket (California Highway Patrol.)
According to the folks at Cal Leathers, it originally it sold for $85 in 1957- a lot of money back when the average hourly wage was 85 cents. If I were to order it today, it would set me back around 2k.
Although I’m typically more of a Café Racer or Half-belt kind of guy, I can’t deny that sometimes it nice to have that bad-ass moto jacket waiting in the wings, for those rare occasions. And this one just seemed to drop into my lap.
