Remember the leather jacket fad of the 70's?

[jonesy86]

Pretty sure that's a 90's car coat, Jonesy. I had one of those. That basic design was huge in the mid to late 1990's and is based on a early 1960's style.

Yeah, I don't know much about this stuff. The seller knew very little as well. I see the lapels and think older. What is it that shows it is 90s? Can you tell what kind of leather it is? It is pretty thick and sturdy. Thanks for the continued tutoring of a semi-newbie! I'm still learning.
Thanks,

 

[Seb Lucas]

The pattern looks to me like a 1990's job and it looks like every 90's Gap leather coat I have seen but of course I can't say for certain. The only thing I haven't seen on Gap before is the chest seam.

The style is austere and simple, with a small collar and harks back to early 1960's patterns. There were also a lot of corduroy car coats in this pattern made in the 60's.

It looks good.

 

[jonesy86]

Thanks Seb.
I bought this Gap Trucker a while ago. It was sold as a 70s cow hide. Do you think it is from that era? I posted it on the levi's Truckers, Whatever thread. I am in the middle of a project to dye it black. Just having fun messing around with beaters. A lot cheaper than dropping big bucks on high end stuff.

Thanks!

 

[Seb Lucas]

I saw that on Ebay too. It's a jacket from recent years. But you could say 1970's style.

I hear you. As I have said here before, I won't pay $1000 plus for a jacket. I can afford them but for me it takes the fun out of the hobby - the big money jackets become too perfect, too special to enjoy properly. At least that's how my mind works.

 

[jonesy86]

I saw that on Ebay too. It's a jacket from recent years. But you could say 1970's style.

I hear you. As I have said here before, I won't pay $1000 plus for a jacket. I can afford them but for me it takes the fun out of the hobby - the big money jackets become too perfect, too special to enjoy properly. At least that's how my mind works.

Yeah, that makes sense now because I thought that the button holes were all pretty tight still.

I've so far maxed out with $ 1K on 2 jackets. I'm trying to kick the habit with beaters. Kinda like the Methadone of leather jacket addiction. When I start twitching at all of the jacket eye candy on TFL, I buy a cheap beater instead. If I ever find a used GW in my size that I can afford, I will snap it up. Probably then buy the cheapest Wilson jacket I can find and post it, just to be a brat.

Thanks to the TFL community for your tutoring and patience with a newbie. I wish you all a peaceful holiday season.

 

[scottyrocks]

Thanks Seb.
I bought this Gap Trucker a while ago. It was sold as a 70s cow hide. Do you think it is from that era? I posted it on the levi's Truckers, Whatever thread. I am in the middle of a project to dye it black. Just having fun messing around with beaters. A lot cheaper than dropping big bucks on high end stuff.

View attachment 99713
Thanks!

Nice jacket. I'd leave it brown, fwiw.

 

[jonesy86]

Nice jacket. I'd leave it brown, fwiw.

Too late. I wanted to experiment, and have some fun. Unfortunately I ran out of dye and now I have a messy project filling up my living room until I get some more dye. It has turned not only into an obsession, but kind of a hobby. Keeps me out of the bars.

Nice jacket. I'd leave it brown, fwiw.

I greatly respect the opinions and advice that I have received from TFL folks such as you @scottyrocks. Unfortunately it is too late to take your advice. It's a petty steep learning curve in this world.

I started a possibly unwise project. Ran out of dye before it was done. My living room is a mess.

Yikes.

 

[BobJ]

You're going to be happy!!!

 

[Seb Lucas]

It may well look ok at the end. I always worry that the dye will run whenever it rains and when dry rub off on pale furniture fabric. I think it's fun to experiment like this though.

 

[jonesy86]

It may well look ok at the end. I always worry that the dye will run whenever it rains and when dry rub off on pale furniture fabric. I think it's fun to experiment like this though.

I am going to add a second coat when the dye arrives, then finish it with Fieblings Resolene, which I am told leaves it with a kind of a too shiny acrylic look, but seals in the dye to keep it from running.

If I totally blow it I could use it as a doormat, or have a 4 person Sangria in a mini colosseum bowl all for me!

When I’m done, I will post pics on the “How Manny New Jackets Do You Have Coming" thread, where we digressed slightly. Couldn't find a thread on dying jackets. Wish me luck!

Thanks again for your input. I love this forum. You guys are great!

 

[handymike]

Use a heat gun to dry it.
Good luck with it @jonesy86

 

[scottyrocks]

It should be fine in the end. I just like brown.

 

[jonesy86]

Use a heat gun to dry it.
Good luck with it @jonesy86

Thanks for the tip @handymike. I put a fan on it, and being an alcohol based dye it dried quickly. Maybe I'll go buy a hair dryer at Walgreens tomorrow. Could really come in handy for the last Resolene acrylic coat.
Its a beater, but by the time I'm done, the products cost me more than the jacket. Still keeping me from buying a high end jacket, that i really can't afford. Unless someone comes up with a GW 44-L with 27" sleeves.

 

[jonesy86]

It should be fine in the end. I just like brown.

Hey @scottyrocks.

I greatly appreciate the input. I have a lot of brown jackets. Some of them are pretty high end stuff, not to brag. Just thought I would play around with a jacket that many on TFL would not be seen dead with. I'm just messing around, having fun.

Still don't have a GW with 27" sleeves. But, I would never dare to change anything Maestro JC made.

Thanks!

 

[Ribdoner]

Thanks Seb.
I bought this Gap Trucker a while ago. It was sold as a 70s cow hide. Do you think it is from that era? I posted it on the levi's Truckers, Whatever thread. I am in the middle of a project to dye it black. Just having fun messing around with beaters. A lot cheaper than dropping big bucks on high end stuff.

View attachment 99713
Thanks!

I've got it's twin (NOS) in case you start jonesin for a brown one

btw, beware of potential color leetching if you have leather car seats

 

[jonesy86]

I've got it's twin (NOS) in case you start jonesin for a brown one

btw, beware of potential color leetching if you have leather car seats

OK, I'll bite. What size is it? How much do you want for it? You can never have too many GAP Truckers.

I think I just heard a collective conscience sigh over the forum.

If I had leather car seats, I would call it Patina, not leaching.

 

[jonesy86]

Whew, I think I finally got that 70s "tough guy" black car coat obsession out of my system. Bought a used St. John's Bay black car coat that seems pretty well put together, and made of ok hide for the dreaded Mall Jacket. My guess is it's cow. It is thick insulated, heavy, $90 shipped. Wore it with my fedora with the brim snapped up. Rocky I'm not.

ebay add said:
Men's Full Grain Leather 3/4 Length Wise Guy Coat w/Quilted Lining
TAG: St Johns Bay
SIZE: Men's Large
COLOR: Black
NEW UNWORN CONDITION
This Is A Super Nice Coat. Heavy Full Grain Leather w/Thick Quilt Lining
Very Warm
Nice Heavy Full Grain Black Leather
3/4 Length Comes Down To Mid Thigh
Full Quilted Lining For Warmth
[2] Interior Breast Pockets
Fold Down Collar
[4] Heavy Button Front Closure
[2] Large Hand Pockets On Front
Coat Length: Approx 36 Inches From Top Of Collar To Bottom Waist
Sleeve Length: Approx 26 Inches From Crest Of Shoulder Seam To Cuff
No Damage, Holes, Rips, Tears, Stains Or Smells
Just A Super Nice Leather Jacket

Pretty silly, I know!

 

[El Marro]

Whew, I think I finally got that 70s "tough guy" black car coat obsession out of my system. Bought a used St. John's Bay black car coat that seems pretty well put together, and made of ok hide for the dreaded Mall Jacket. My guess is it's cow. It is thick insulated, heavy, $90 shipped. Wore it with my fedora with the brim snapped up. Rocky I'm not.

ebay add said:
Men's Full Grain Leather 3/4 Length Wise Guy Coat w/Quilted Lining
TAG: St Johns Bay
SIZE: Men's Large
COLOR: Black
NEW UNWORN CONDITION
This Is A Super Nice Coat. Heavy Full Grain Leather w/Thick Quilt Lining
Very Warm
Nice Heavy Full Grain Black Leather
3/4 Length Comes Down To Mid Thigh
Full Quilted Lining For Warmth
[2] Interior Breast Pockets
Fold Down Collar
[4] Heavy Button Front Closure
[2] Large Hand Pockets On Front
Coat Length: Approx 36 Inches From Top Of Collar To Bottom Waist
Sleeve Length: Approx 26 Inches From Crest Of Shoulder Seam To Cuff
No Damage, Holes, Rips, Tears, Stains Or Smells
Just A Super Nice Leather Jacket

Pretty silly, I know!

View attachment 101286 View attachment 101287
View attachment 101288

Looks like you did very well for $90 Jonesy!
I believe St. John's Bay was a brand sold by J.C. Penney's. I remember my mom got me a suede trucker jacket by them when I was in high school and I was very fond of it. I don't know what the current me (jacket snob) would think of it, but at the time I thought it was very cool!

 

[Seb Lucas]

I like them - unpretentious, useful, tough, they look good when worn and, if you bugger them up working on the car, you can replace them for very little. But surely that's a 1990's jacket?

A 1970's coat usually has bigger everything.

 

[jonesy86]

I like them - unpretentious, useful, tough, they look good when worn and, if you bugger them up working on the car, you can replace them for very little. But surely that's a 1990's jacket?

A 1970's coat usually has bigger everything.

View attachment 101311

Yeah the lapels are pretty small compared to the 70s. Maybe a 90s repro. of the 60s? You got me. Maybe pebbled lamb, not cow? Pretty heavy, and hearty. Got 2 brothers, and and and a brother in law, so I can thin the herd. Late presents. Just picked up an old Johnson Leathers Version of their A-2. Al knew it was over 25 years old, just from the description of the label. Probably have him re-do the lining.
Thanks for the tips!