.

knibs7 · Post by **knibs7** » Wed Oct 14, 2009 6:22 pm

WOW

That is absolutely BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!

Congrats my friend!

Kyle

Hatch · Post by **Hatch** » Wed Oct 14, 2009 6:24 pm

Don't want to be the one to say "we told you so ".........but..........enjoy, see all that worry for nothing....

.......it's a beauty.....and great pics and write up.....

Castor Dioscuri · Post by **Castor Dioscuri** » Wed Oct 14, 2009 6:36 pm

Wow, that is an excellent fitting jacket... From the pictures, I can't seem to find a single fault with the fit of the jacket, though I for one would love to see what it looks like unzipped! I guess the moral of the story is that we all need to spend hours at Tony's trying on his jackets?

But that is one crazy jacket...

And don't take this the wrong way, but when I saw the photos, two things came to mind:
1) So THAT's what Bill Murray would look like as Indy!
2) Is... Is that a cemetary? Who ya gonna call? (refer to observation 1)

thedurdens · Post by **thedurdens** » Wed Oct 14, 2009 6:42 pm

FANTASTIC, Michael! $\:D/$ Wear that in good health.
The pics look great and thanks for all the info as well. I have spoken to Tony by phone after I picked up a shrunken lamb TN second hand and he is a great guy to speak with. I will be ordering from him soon.
Lots of luck with your jacket. Quite simply it looks great and great on you too.

Thanks for sharing,
Frank

Hollowpond · Post by **Hollowpond** » Wed Oct 14, 2009 6:44 pm

Freakin' awesome! This hobby is heck on a teachers salary. Anybody know any good banks to rob? Gotta get me a TN, maybe by my 50th b-day (I'm 34 now

). I would want one styled exactly like this one, but with light distressing. Congrats on the awesome jacket Michael.

Travis

RCSignals · Post by **RCSignals** » Wed Oct 14, 2009 6:55 pm

Perfect Michael Longshanks. You received exactly what you wanted, and it looks like it's been your best friend for half a century. It's you.

Indyzane · Post by **Indyzane** » Wed Oct 14, 2009 7:04 pm

Wow nice jacket! My favorite I have seen so far. Thanks for sharing you story with us!

nicktheguy · Post by **nicktheguy** » Wed Oct 14, 2009 7:09 pm

You know I am getting a little tired of people amazing reaction to Tony. I had the same amazement when I received my jacket - now its just sooooo common that it's awesome.

(This post is tongue in cheek)

Seriously that is a great story and great jacket.

gwyddion · Post by **gwyddion** » Wed Oct 14, 2009 7:14 pm

Man

That must be one of the best fitting jackets I have ever seen! Indy or otherwise.

Wear it in good health! Glad to see he managed to make it exactly as you wanted it to be

Regards, Geert

whipcracker · Post by **whipcracker** » Wed Oct 14, 2009 7:32 pm

That is an amazing jacket!!!!

You look to be in great shape as well, I hope I can look as good when I turn 50, I am not too terribly far away. (I found that kids and 2 jobs wrecks havoc on training schedules but the kids are worth every second!!)

Anyway that's what I like to hear: The perfect jacket for YOU! Maybe if we all approached things that way we might be a little bit happier with our gear?

You look fabulous like you are the real thing.

PSBIndy · Post by **PSBIndy** » Wed Oct 14, 2009 7:32 pm

Fantastic jacket!! Looks awesome on you! Tony hit another one out of the ballpark!

Tibor · Post by **Tibor** » Wed Oct 14, 2009 7:39 pm

Tundrarider, that is just beautiful. But let me just say, where's your tie young man?

Baldwyn · Post by **Baldwyn** » Wed Oct 14, 2009 7:44 pm

This jacket is so perfect for you. It really embodies a little bit of spirit of all 4 movie versions too. It truly is awesome, and I'm so glad to hear the story of how it was measured and built, and how hard Tony works to please us. Congratulations, no one needs to tell you that you have a real treasure there.

binkmeisterRick · Post by **binkmeisterRick** » Wed Oct 14, 2009 7:47 pm

That jacket is a real beaut, Michael! See, Tony knows what he's doing! How many stories before folks believe it?

Holt · Post by **Holt** » Wed Oct 14, 2009 8:09 pm

BEAUTIFULL!!!!!!!

and great story!

crismans · Post by **crismans** » Wed Oct 14, 2009 10:11 pm

An absolutely beautiful jacket and it does, in fact, fit you like a glove! I'm so glad that my reassurances were dead on and that you're happy with your jacket. Tony's jackets are terrific things. If you can get one at all, you should do so for yourself.

Raider S · Post by **Raider S** » Wed Oct 14, 2009 10:30 pm

Or get a few.

Yep, Tony is the master and his work is worth every penny once you get the jacket in your hands and realize what it meants to own one!

JRabbit · Post by **JRabbit** » Wed Oct 14, 2009 10:59 pm

EXCELLENT JACKET!!!!

And the first thing I thought when I saw the first pic was "that's the perfect length". I just got a Wested and went with that same torso length. I also have a pretty athletic build and wanted my jacket to fit like a glove and show off my hard work.

I LOVE the distressing, looks authentic, not "canned". I'm planning on letting mine distress naturally, but you never know.....

Again, AWESOME jacket Michael, Tony hit that one out of the park by a mile.

JRabbit

[Edit] and the rest of your gear is top notch too!

TheExit148 · Post by **TheExit148** » Wed Oct 14, 2009 11:42 pm

Mike, one word... AWESOME! That jacket looks great on you, and I love the tight sleeves, and the length is perfect for you. Tony nailed it for sure! Enjoy that beauty, and wear that heck out of it!

bigrex · Post by **bigrex** » Thu Oct 15, 2009 12:20 am

I've been waiting for someone to do this; allowing Tony to create a hybrid jacket that would be a nice custom jacket befitting of the individual. I think when and if I get one, I will go that route. That jacket fits really well, you must have well exercised arms to pull off the tighter look, but it really works well for you. For myself, I'm maybe considering a looser raiders jacket in a lighter undistressed leather, in goat if possible. I like the drape and general cut of raiders, but my build would probably work best with a somewhat looser version. I prefer the look of lighter leather on myself, possibly slightly reddish dark "chocolately" chestnut, or something akin to that.

Texan Scott · Post by **Texan Scott** » Thu Oct 15, 2009 12:55 am

That jacket is amazing, Tundy! You go, man!

...way 'ta POST 'em UP!

whipcracker · Post by **whipcracker** » Thu Oct 15, 2009 1:03 am

I don't mean to hijack but... what pants are those they look like a real good color?

orb · Post by **orb** » Thu Oct 15, 2009 1:10 am

Best looking and most SA LC look I've ever saw! Hands up

Regards

orb

nephilo · Post by **nephilo** » Thu Oct 15, 2009 1:58 am

Oooooh! Great! Such a beautyful jacket and very powerful pics!!!

...Now we must pick a date to find the grail again together my friend!!!

Tony, the jacketmaster legend!

mrkaboom · Post by **mrkaboom** » Thu Oct 15, 2009 2:41 am

Michael your jacket looks superb and you are in great shape for a chap of 50.

Congratulations on your jacket - i have seen the pics of you and your fiancee in her marion outfit - brilliant!

Enjoy your birthday and wear that jacket as often as you can!

MK

Raskolnikov · Post by **Raskolnikov** » Thu Oct 15, 2009 3:23 am

Another work of art from Tony. I have to agree with the others: that's the best LC jacket I have ever seen. This is the first time I don't really care if a jacket (and Indy jacket) it's SA or not: This time It seems to me, by far, even better than the original. An you look really good in full gear. Congratulations!!!

djd · Post by **djd** » Thu Oct 15, 2009 5:04 am

Wonderful! Quite possibly the best Indy jacket I've seen

Changing the subject, you look a bit like a popular comedian over here :

Clutters · Post by **Clutters** » Thu Oct 15, 2009 5:28 am

Great story, great jacket! I hope to join you shortly in the Tony Nowak Happy Owner's club.

IndyGeek78 · Post by **IndyGeek78** » Thu Oct 15, 2009 7:22 am

What a wicked story.

Seesm like Mr Nowak knows a thing or two about jacket making.

The jacket looks absolutley amazing and obviously fit you very well.
Seems to me you have a cracking Indy look going.

I always like seeing your photos as you seem to put so much effort in.

Very nice.
P.S. Happy 50th birthday sir.

Holt · Post by **Holt** » Thu Oct 15, 2009 7:37 am

oh, and let me just ad.

you REALLY look cool in gear. you pull of the adventurer look easy!

Satipo · Post by **Satipo** » Thu Oct 15, 2009 8:53 am

Congratulations on your fantastic new jacket, Michael!

Your account of dealing with Tony really made me laugh because it is exactly how I imagine I would be in the same situation. A jacket like this would be very special to me too (especially as it would be my first and probably only Indy jacket) and I would be very concerned with eliminating all possible doubts from my mind. But, having said that, four hours trying on jackets by yourself ... that has to be some sort of record!

So it's good to see that everything turned out great in the end.

You're one of the lucky guys who look totally at home in the gear. No doubt your efforts in the gym have gone a long way to achieving that, but you must also possess something in your genetic makeup to carry it off so well. In these pictures, you have an outfit that looks designed and made just for you, as though you were the star of an alternative Indy franchise where the costume has it's own set of nuances - right down to dark strips on the palms of the gloves (I can even imagine an alternative group of Indygear fans trying to reproduce these details). To me, you look more comfortable in this gear than Ford did in the last two movies (that's right, I'm including LC in there!).

Your new jacket is the icing on the cake, of course, and while it successfully conveys the essence of Indy jackets past, it also establishes a new look that I haven't quite seen before. And the fit is impeccable. Tony clearly paid a lot of attention to this one and I'm sure you'll have plenty of good times wearing it.

A job very well done.

SpeedRcrX · Post by **SpeedRcrX** » Thu Oct 15, 2009 9:21 am

You have a very beautiful jacket, that LC looks fantastic.

And those photos are gret too, you look really dashing

Tony is a great guy to deal with!

Again, congratulations

PSBIndy · Post by **PSBIndy** » Thu Oct 15, 2009 10:06 am

Michael, your photos look awesome, but I'm curious, what were you doing in a cemetary?

TheExit148 · Post by **TheExit148** » Thu Oct 15, 2009 10:26 am

Mike, just wanted to add as well that all your gear looks awesome together. Its a mixed of the movies, but the way that you wear it all together, makes it your own! I think the jacket was the perfect addition. Enjoy all that great stuff you have, because it all looks awesome!

St. Dumas · Post by **St. Dumas** » Thu Oct 15, 2009 11:54 am

There's nothing I can add to this conversation that hasn't already been said. But I'll do it anyway. That's one great-looking jacket, and the custom fit is superb. It's like a LC jacket with a Raiders fit. Best of both worlds. I especially like the pocket flaps and the colour contrast brought out by Tony's distressing job.

SD

Baldwyn · Post by **Baldwyn** » Thu Oct 15, 2009 1:45 pm

When I met Tony, he said he's getting closer and closer to creating the "ultimate" jacket. He said his vintage goat personal Raiders jacket was very close to that jacket. When he gets there, he's retiring from the business.

I'm calling Tony this afternoon to make sure he's in business.

Post by **Michaelson** » Thu Oct 15, 2009 1:49 pm

Well, if he does, all the TN's need to be retired, as they'll all become collectible artifacts!

Regards! Michaelson

Kt Templar · Post by **Kt Templar** » Thu Oct 15, 2009 2:30 pm

With all my prejudices set aside, if Indy had worn that jacket in KotCS we'd all have been a lot happier.

Bernie hint, hint...

RCSignals · Post by **RCSignals** » Thu Oct 15, 2009 2:33 pm

Kt Templar wrote:With all my prejudices set aside, if Indy had worn that jacket in KotCS we'd all have been a lot happier.

Bernie hint, hint...

Still stuck on the CS jacket Kt?

Kt Templar · Post by **Kt Templar** » Thu Oct 15, 2009 3:11 pm

RCSignals wrote:
Still stuck on the CS jacket Kt?

Nah not really, actually toying with detailing up my Nostromo, it's good for colder weather.

RCSignals · Post by **RCSignals** » Thu Oct 15, 2009 3:17 pm

Kt Templar wrote:.........

Nah not really, actually toying with detailing up my Nostromo, it's good for colder weather.

You'll have to show us when you are done

Dragonlady Jones · Post by **Dragonlady Jones** » Thu Oct 15, 2009 3:57 pm

DANG IT!!! Now I have to get a Nowak...

Nice job and congrats!

RCSignals · Post by **RCSignals** » Thu Oct 15, 2009 4:02 pm

Michael, if you will, take photos of your 'excursion' in gear for us

Wade Egan · Post by **Wade Egan** » Thu Oct 15, 2009 4:37 pm

I love the distressing! The fit is perfect for you Michael. Very well done. Looks marvelous!

W.E.

Raider S · Post by **Raider S** » Thu Oct 15, 2009 4:57 pm

bigrex wrote:I've been waiting for someone to do this; allowing Tony to create a hybrid jacket that would be a nice custom jacket befitting of the individual.

I think there've been previous examples of people mixing parts of jackets to get hybrids from Tony. CS with tighter sleeves, etc.

Mitch LaRue · Post by **Mitch LaRue** » Thu Oct 15, 2009 7:40 pm

Michael, I've only just now caught sight of this thread...

I don't know how I didn't see this before now - and I'm writing this post immediately without reading comments from the other posts before me (I'll go back and read 'em in a minute) so I apologize in advance if I end up saying something repetitive of what I'm sure others will say...

It...

It's just...

Michael, it's just simply
PERFECT.

Wow...

I...

I'm sorta speechless, really (well... "speechless" by my terms!)

Outstanding work, Mr. Nowak!

I love how this thing looks and how it fits, but most importantly: how it fits on YOU!
It's just perfect on ya! THAT jacket is UNmistakabley YOU, Michael!

I just love every little thing about this amazing jacket and the story of your experience that goes with it.

Thank you for sharing that especially, my friend.

As you know, the "pre-ordering" butterflies I'd been having regarding ordering from Tony had me feeling like I had to have everything figured out as exactly as possible... (My hope was that in doing so, I'd be better able to communicate to Tony what I want in my jacket.) Well, Michael, your starting this thread - and sharing your "1st Time Nowak Buyer" story - has really put my mind at ease... You showed me that sincerely - and clearly - expressing to Tony what I'm looking for in a jacket will have a great end result. Again, for that I thank you.
It's clear to me know that with Tony Nowak a person couldn't be in better hands.

I'm so glad so many people seem to be checking out this thread and adding their thoughts and comments (and no doubt, their PRAISE, as well) for this jacket of yours, for your GREAT photos, for Tony - the man responsible for this amazing piece of work and for YOU, Michael - the man who makes that JACKET work!

I'm REALLY happy for you, pal.
AWESOME piece of Gear!

Sincerely,
A Fan

bigrex · Post by **bigrex** » Thu Oct 15, 2009 11:30 pm

Raider S wrote:
bigrex wrote:I've been waiting for someone to do this; allowing Tony to create a hybrid jacket that would be a nice custom jacket befitting of the individual.
I think there've been previous examples of people mixing parts of jackets to get hybrids from Tony. CS with tighter sleeves, etc.

Ok, maybe I wasn't aware, I think this is probably the best example yet then. Now, that you mention it, I think I do remember a Last Crusade jacket in CS leather. I think what stands out about this one, to me, is the length, etc., the cut, has been possibly altered more to fit the individual.

IndyBrit · Post by **IndyBrit** » Fri Oct 16, 2009 9:07 am

Fantastic jacket.Made for you.

Glad to see another man of my vintage staying fit and upright.

Rundquist · Post by **Rundquist** » Fri Oct 16, 2009 1:56 pm

Excellent jacket. But I have to say, your slip is showing. This post is really meant for everybody, btw. Guys, I realize that this is a passion for all of you. I realize that a leather jacket is a big expenditure. But don’t forget to check yourselves at the door when you talk to a vendor. These people have work to do.

Tony is the last guy that would ever “complain” about fans/customers eating away his time, and I really mean that. But while I was there I got the distinct feeling that he had a hard time getting work done with all the interruptions. Just something to think about. Cheers

Raider S · Post by **Raider S** » Fri Oct 16, 2009 2:07 pm

Good point Rundquist. Yes, always good to be respectful of others' time; that can mean just trusting a guy to do his job. Then again, Tony sometimes calls (usually late at night!) just to say hello and will shoot the breeze during that time your order is in progress. Maybe as he has gotten busier that's changed, however, but his operation is a small one and he does more than talk on the phone.

As an Indy community it's important to remember there are few vendors who make this stuff (in my opinion Tony is quite unique) so keeping them around by keeping them sane is wise!