AERO bike jacket, early one?

[havocpaul]

I have just bought this Aero Leather Clothing bike jacket at a local boot fair and would like to date it, it is steerhide, the main zip is a 'Clix' type, it has heavy blue cotton lining and in one pocket I found a metal badge for the Le Mans 24 Hour 1985. I was thinking it could be a fairly early Aero...any ideas?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/havocpaul/?saved=1

 

[havocpaul]

Just noticed the pockets are lined in tartan material.

 

[DanielCoffey]

It looks barely worn!

 

[HoosierDaddy]

Yep..as I posted over on the VLJ. It is an early Aero..going by the label. Several years ago..I engraved a wooden plaque for Ken Calder that included this label. If I remember correctly..this was their first label for Aero Leather.
HD

 

[andy richards]

Congratulations! What a great find! I thinks it is an Aero. You might want to sent the pics over to Will at Aeroleather. He is really into the old jackets .
Cheers,
Andy

 

[havocpaul]

Thanks Guys, I was initially thinking of selling it on but I'm liking it more and it is a good fit, only 'fault' is the ball chain pull is missing on the left sleeve otherwise in excellent condition.

 

[Bonneville]

Pardon the intrusion but can you tell me what "VLJ" is Hoosier?
Also I have noted some references to "COW" in some posts, I have tried to find this site without success, is it an acronym? and where can I find it?
Cheers, Ted.

 

[Navin323i]

Beautiful jacket!!!

Bonneville read my mind... I too was wondering what "VLJ" means and stands for.

 

[TheSnark]

VLJ = Vintage Leather Jackets Forum
http://www.vintageleatherjackets.org

 

[Edward]

Pardon the intrusion but can you tell me what "VLJ" is Hoosier?
Also I have noted some references to "COW" in some posts, I have tried to find this site without success, is it an acronym? and where can I find it?
Cheers, Ted.

Cow = Club Obi Wan, it's an Indiana Jones forum.

 

[Peacoat]

VLJ = Vintage Leather Jackets. A parallel universe.

http://www.vintageleatherjackets.org/

Edit Note: After I posted this, I saw that Snark had earlier given the same link.

 

[havocpaul]

Just had a short reply from Amanda at Aero...

"This would have been made around 1983..."

So must be one of their first batch and maybe quite rare now?

 

[aswatland]

Congratulations Paul on a great early Aero. It looks superb. Well done.

 

[Pushrod]

That's a sharp looking jacket, great find. Could you post some photos of the back?
Pushrod

 

[kampkatz]

Ditto that request for a back photo.

 

[havocpaul]

here are a few additiona pics of it being worn including the back. Truth be told it is probably a little too tight for me which is a shame as it is an awsome jacket....

http://www.flickr.com/photos/havocpaul/?saved=1

 

[Mojo1975]

very, very cool liner and toggle pulls! The leather looks like it's spectacular!