Michael SatterfieldI have few fashion rules, but I live by the fact that vintage automotive jackets are just better; they have a story to tell, and you aren’t likely to see anyone else wearing one. You can dress them up or down; they are always a conversation starter. Each piece is a tangible link to fashion history, from the biker spirit encapsulated in 1950s leather biker jackets to the bold patterns and textures of 1980s windbreakers. In recent years, there has been a notable resurgence in the popularity of vintage menswear, with collectors and fashion enthusiasts seeking out iconic pieces from the past.
Here are some of my favorite vintage automotive jackets from my collection:
The Brown Bomber jackets are favorites in my collection of vintage automotive jackets. They are matched pairs of jackets with names on the front, “Brown Bomber” and “Mrs. Brown Bomber.” I wear the Brown Bomber sparingly simply because it is perfectly preserved. The bold chain stitching on the back of this one really makes it stand out. Expect to spend anywhere between $200-1000 for a vintage jacket of this style. Wear it with a clean white tee shirt and jeans or use it to dress down a shirt and tie in an unexpected way.
This club jacket from the “Street Machines” club features various club patches and a two-tone color scheme, which makes this one perfect for vintage events like Goodwood or just walking the classic car swap meet. You can commonly find these kinds of vintage automotive jackets for $40-$200.
This classic overshirt looks like it was never worn by Bob in the late 1960s when it was made. This vintage automotive jacket features beautiful chain stitching for the Boondockers 4 Wheel Drive Club. There isn’t much information about the club, but more than a few use the name, including the Puget Sound chapter. Because of the condition and excellent chain stitching, expect to spend between $100 and $300 on a shirt like this.
One that I wear pretty often, this classic 70s Mint 400 jacket is the perfect example of a promo jacket from the 1970s. Like most of these coaches’ jackets, they were off-the-shelf colorways to which the event would add their patch. I found this one locally at an antique shop, but depending on the condition and the event, you can expect to pay $40-200 for a jacket like this.
Some jackets have been so popular their reproductions have been around long enough to be considered vintage. This jacket from the late 90s was produced by A2Z Racing and is a homage to the Gulf Racing rain jacket that Steve McQueen wore in the movie LeMans. I wasn’t happy with how this jacket was different from the original in the movie, so I set out to make my own, the first version of which is below, I just need to add the patches. It is far more accurate than the original, but sadly, it would likely cost too much to put into production.
So, while this one isn’t one of my vintage automotive jackets, this screen-accurate reproduction of Steve McQueen Gulf Racing Jacket from LeMans has been an ongoing project of mine and is a one-of-one.
When it comes to vintage automotive jackets, this is one of the rarest in my collection, made for Ontario Motor Speedway (OMS) in 1970; it is special to me because not only did I grow up just down the road from OMS, but there are photos and video of Paul Newman wearing this jacket in 1970 at the track. This one is a medium, so it is a little small for me to wear, but it is one that I will never let leave my collection, as I have never seen another one come up for sale—price TBD.
Collecting vintage automotive jackets offers a rewarding hobby and a means to cultivate a distinctive personal style. We will be shooting more of the collection and sharing additional stories about automotive and motorsports apparel so be sure to check back for more.
