Aero 59'er Highwayman

[Monitor]

I've completely forgotten about this jacket even though it was instantly my favourite, when it first appeared & I just realized it's probably the only Aero I haven't seen a single photo of - other than the promo shots! It does seem like a great alternative to the Dominator (or the Corsair), and one slightly more affordable so I was wondering if anyone actually has this jacket? Any thoughts? Some better photos of the jacket? Anything at all?

 

[technovox]

Good question. I've also been looking at the 59'er as a possible alternative to the Lewis Dominator. Love the look of the 59'er: the shorter/slimmer body, absence of drop front, the cool label, and overall balance. I keep wondering if it's possible to lose the front yoke and substitute two chest pocket with zips. And it would be nice to have the option to make it in horsehide. (In the description, it reads not available in CXL horsehide.) But perhaps that would be changing the original intention a bit too much.

 

[Monitor]

Aye, I don't think they'd be too happy about altering it that much since from what I understand, this jacket is supposed to be an actual reproduction, not just an inspired piece as it is the case with most Aero jackets. You could have the sleeve zips placed at the top, though. I've seen a few such 59'er's being sold at their Sale page, and quite fancied them so.

It's not available in Horween CXL HH, however, the product description now states that the jacket is available in Vegetable Tanned Full Grain Horsehide. I'm guessing that's the Vincenza stuff, right? Man, I'd love to see this.

 

[2wheelgrplr]

Here's some more pics and description of the Aero 59er Highwayman jacket from a UK-based motorcycle gear website:

http://www.motolegends.com/jackets/aero-59-highwayman-jacket-black.html

http://www.motolegends.com/jackets/aero-59-highwayman-jacket-brown.html

 

[Bunyip]

The 59er is a great looking jacket. It has a somewhat similar vibe to some of the LL gear. I also really like the zip sleeve highwayman. They are great jackets. I prefer them both to the standard Highwayman.

 

[dan_t]

I can't help but notice the similarities with my zip sleeve highwayman.
I like it.

 

[Edward]

Very nice jacket. If I was looking for another jacket in this general style, it would definitely be in consideration. The original Highwayman brand was owned by Rivett's of Leytonstone (East London). Highwayman and Lewis competed with each other from the fifties, right through the sixties. Back in those days (before 'Design Right' was introduced in the UK, and given that it's basically impossible to protect clothing patterns in copyright), they had very similar ranges, which may or may not have borrowed somewhat from each other. I've seen "Highwayman" branded jackets that bear more than a passing resemblence to a Lewis Lightning, for instance. Lewis introduced their Dominator and Corsair models in 1962; if Rin Tanaka is to be believed (and there's no reason to dubt him), Rivett's were making this style of Highwayman in the late 50s. When John Taylor took his riginal 50s Highwayman to Ken at Aero to reproduce back in the early 80s, Ken varied the lattern somewhat, deliberately cutting his version in a boxier style, influenced by the American jackets of that late 50s period. This version is a faithful repro of the original Highwayman front-zip/shirt collar jacket, as manufactured by Rivett's in 1959, so if you're looking for something with that "British rocker" look, this would be well worth considering alongside the Dominator and the Corsair. (Also the revived Mascot Black Rock, if you're on a tighter budget.)

 

[Capesofwrath]

Very nice jacket. If I was looking for another jacket in this general style, it would definitely be in consideration. The original Highwayman brand was owned by Rivett's of Leytonstone (East London). Highwayman and Lewis competed with each other from the fifties, right through the sixties. Back in those days (before 'Design Right' was introduced in the UK, and given that it's basically impossible to protect clothing patterns in copyright), they had very similar ranges, which may or may not have borrowed somewhat from each other. I've seen "Highwayman" branded jackets that bear more than a passing resemblence to a Lewis Lightning, for instance. Lewis introduced their Dominator and Corsair models in 1962; if Rin Tanaka is to be believed (and there's no reason to dubt him), Rivett's were making this style of Highwayman in the late 50s. When John Taylor took his riginal 50s Highwayman to Ken at Aero to reproduce back in the early 80s, Ken varied the lattern somewhat, deliberately cutting his version in a boxier style, influenced by the American jackets of that late 50s period. This version is a faithful repro of the original Highwayman front-zip/shirt collar jacket, as manufactured by Rivett's in 1959, so if you're looking for something with that "British rocker" look, this would be well worth considering alongside the Dominator and the Corsair. (Also the revived Mascot Black Rock, if you're on a tighter budget.)

Have you ever heard of a Lewis brand? I had a LL jacket in the late sixties early seventies when I rode bikes, and as you posted elsewhere there were many British biker jackets in that style. But I saw some Lewis branded jackets on eBay recently which were claimed to be from the eighties. One was quite nice looking apart from the two piece back which I’ve never been fond of and the seller was a bike person with good feedback. But I can’t help thinking they had to be some sort of fake. They didn’t fetch any money.

I’ve linked to one of them.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LEWIS-BOMBER-BIKER-JACKET-BLACK-LEATHER-made-in-England-Vintage-1980s-/231777810343?_trksid=p2047675.l2557&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&nma=true&si=ZG1EHRBkgbKOB8SGcJh1xRermQw%3D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc

 

[Sloan1874]

Aye, I don't think they'd be too happy about altering it that much since from what I understand, this jacket is supposed to be an actual reproduction, not just an inspired piece as it is the case with most Aero jackets. You could have the sleeve zips placed at the top, though. I've seen a few such 59'er's being sold at their Sale page, and quite fancied them so.

It's not available in Horween CXL HH, however, the product description now states that the jacket is available in Vegetable Tanned Full Grain Horsehide. I'm guessing that's the Vincenza stuff, right? Man, I'd love to see this.

I'm not sure it is Vicenza. It's meant to be a close match to Connolly and the Italian stuff is very different in look.

 

[Edward]

Have you ever heard of a Lewis brand? I had a LL jacket in the late sixties early seventies when I rode bikes, and as you posted elsewhere there were many British biker jackets in that style. But I saw some Lewis branded jackets on eBay recently which were claimed to be from the eighties. One was quite nice looking apart from the two piece back which I’ve never been fond of and the seller was a bike person with good feedback. But I can’t help thinking they had to be some sort of fake. They didn’t fetch any money.

I’ve linked to one of them.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LEWIS-BOMBER-BIKER-JACKET-BLACK-LEATHER-made-in-England-Vintage-1980s-/231777810343?_trksid=p2047675.l2557&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&nma=true&si=ZG1EHRBkgbKOB8SGcJh1xRermQw%3D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc

I've seen these here and there over the years. They were always branded just "Lewis" rather than LL, though LL were always so fluid with their brands and sub brands, it's hard to be sure. I know that by the time the last owner before Derek took over in 2003 was running the company (from 1986), it was all seventies and eighties, modern designs, and most of the classics were out of the line. They didn't even still have patterns for the classic stuff (Derek spent years independently researching them before he even was an employee, let alone owner). It seems likely to me that these are legit Lewis from that period, just a style nobody wants now the LL crowd are all about the original vibe. Derek would be the one to ask, I'm sure he'd know.

 

[Graemsay]

If anyone is looking for one of these, Motolegends have the black (sizes 40 to 46) and brown (40, 42, 46 and 48) on sale at £399.99.

 

[Grayland]

If anyone is looking for one of these, Motolegends have the black (sizes 40 to 46) and brown (40, 42, 46 and 48) on sale at £399.99.

I just noticed that as well. $511 US dollars. Not really my style but a heckuva deal!

 

[El Marro]

That is such a cool looking jacket and what a deal! I am so tempted right now but I know that is one of the shorter styles and those really aren't my cup of tea. Thanks for the heads up Graemsay, I don't think they will last long at that price.

 

[Plumbline]

GREAT buy .... and a very fine jacket