THANKS

[Ravenswood]

I just want to thank the key players (you know who you are) in helping construct what we fans consider today as the ultimate Indy jacket. I feel this is the hayday of the Indy jacket collector. The attention to detail that the providers present to us has been culminated by we obsessive fans for a few years now, and it is my opinion that you just can't lose now.
My opinion is that Wested offers the best jacket. I have a soft spot for Todd and Magnoli jackets too.
I see a general movement towards two basic catagories: The eighties fit, and the oversized fit. I think we all want a more screen accurate replica (otherwise there wouldn't be this forum). But the reality is that we are not all shaped like Mr. Ford.
I don't know exactly where I'm going with this thread....I am very excited for the Wested Custom that is coming my way....
Ravenswood

[Ravenswood]

WOOPS! I forgot to mention Mr. Nowak.
Where's my head?!
Just one thing, the price. I tend to black out when I think of the Nowak jacket for that reason...but he makes a smashing replica for sure!

[Michaelson]

You may as well mentioned Gibson and Barnes and U. S. Wings while you're at it. That way you've covered ALL your bases.

Regards! Michaelson

[Indydawg]

It does seem a lot harder to go wrong these days than it did just a few years ago....

And my hat's off to those who made it possible!!!!

High Regards!
Indydawg

[Mitch LaRue]

Yeah, definitely an amazing (and VERY appreciated) amount of research and contribution from some of our most valued and knowledgeable Jacket Junkies here at C.O.W.
Here's to ya, guys!

[theman]

It is indeed a good point in time for getting a good Indy jacket for everyone...

I can see how it's easy to overlook the Tony Nowak jackets with like 10 threads on the first page alone having the words "Tony Nowak" in the title.
Amazingly one of the least expensive and most expensive jackets both helped fuel my faith that an accurate ROLA was indeed available finally. The Todd's Standard and the Nowak ROLA are the pinnacle of what I consider great Indy jackets in the correct look/details.
Another thing going for Todd's is the customs being made in the states with stronger construction than the standard, their pricepoint puts them just ahead of G&B for me.
If G&B would adjust their sleeve to torso lengths to be more correct without a $250 extra fee I would add them to the top of that list as well. As it stands at that pricepoint Nowak and Todd's knock G&B out of my consideration. Magnoli is getting there behind G&B and does have a ROLA basic look.

For ToD - Wested now has a great thing going in pattern and the hardware details. And hopefully the Wings jacket will be a great one, I would have thought the lineage there would have made an accurate version of this one available years ago however. Nowak's eye has done great justice to this one as well.

For Last Crusade - Wested can be mentioned as long as it looks close to Holt's specs. Nowak again hit this one pretty darn well.

KOTS - Nowak (really shouldn't even need mentioning ) and Wested and Wings following as the only other considerations in that order that I have seen.

[Michaelson]

Another thing going for Todd's is the customs being made in the states with stronger construction than the standard, their pricepoint puts them just ahead of G&B for me.
If G&B would adjust their sleeve to torso lengths to be more correct without a $250 extra fee I would add them to the top of that list as well.

This caught my eye, so I contacted my 'man' at G&B and asked for clarification. Here's their reply verbatim as of a few minutes ago:

To alter sleeves to Tall or Short, or the body to Tall or Short is an additional $98 fee to the price of the jacket. IF the jacket is a FULL Custom Made to Measure, then the additional fee is $250. This is for full pattern work/ on a one-on-one basis. Last I checked, I believe pattern work was around $88/Hr.

So, full customization with pattern is $250, and the sleeve adjustment you're wanting is only $98.

Regards! Michaelson

[Michaelson]

Yep, they sure have.

Regards !Michaelson

[crismans]

Amazingly one of the least expensive and most expensive jackets both helped fuel my faith that an accurate ROLA was indeed available finally. The Todd's Standard and the Nowak ROLA are the pinnacle of what I consider great Indy jackets in the correct look/details.

We share this opinion, my friend.

I owned a G and B and it was one of the most comfortable jackets I've owned. My problem with the jacket is exactly what many people here love it for: the leather. I had the goat and it was almost too perfect (smoothness, etc.) and too hard to get it to look "lived in" for an Indy jacket. I've not had the lamb so that might be an entirely different matter.

[theman]

Michaelson - that is great news and not what I got from the girl I spoke with on the phone @ g&b. I asked about just sleeves, just body, and both, she told me $250 for ANY pattern changes on the expeditions.
For rola this still puts them a tick below Todd's custom in order due to pricepoint and flexibility in Todd's leather types, although not as far down as before in consideration.

[Michaelson]

Sounds like the girl there just lumped everything together and quoted the $250 charge.

Regards !Michaelson

[theman]

I am sure just as at many clothing places you can get the person who knows and cares about the products and then you can roll the dice onto an employee who just gives a half thought about an answer to quicken the phone call.

[Michaelson]

I passed the word, and they are going to see where the 'weak link' is in the information chain at G&B, and thanked 'us' for the input.

Regard! Michaelson