Breaking new/old ground . . . Buco J-100

[dubpynchon]

Super cool jacket and perfect fit. Congratulations.

 

[Insomnia]

Superb jacket and great fit!

 

[Frizzleburger]

Awesome jacket. Has this been treated with a conditioner or dressing? If so what was used. It still retains a nice sheen. Great find.

 

[Dphillip]

That jacket fits you absolutely perfect!

Can you estimate how old it is?

 

[Superfluous]

Awesome jacket. Has this been treated with a conditioner or dressing? If so what was used. It still retains a nice sheen. Great find.

Thank you. No treatment.

That jacket fits you absolutely perfect! Can you estimate how old it is?

Thank you. 1960s?

 

[Kalmer]

I apologize in advance for the long post.

Several years ago, I came across an original Buco J-100 at the RRL store that was in great condition and fit me perfectly – they also had a gorgeous Beck 666. At the time, I had never heard of either Buco or Beck, and I knew exactly nothing about vintage leather jackets. I loved both jackets, but was hesitant given my lack of knowledge and the substantial prices for “used” clothing. Thus, I decided to pause, do a little research, and thereafter decide whether to purchase one of the jackets. Over the next couple of days, I researched Beck and Buco jackets and educated myself a bit (merely a thimble full compared to certain TFL members). I decided to pull the trigger and returned to RRL ready to hand over a wad of cash. Much to my disappointment, RRL sold both jackets during the intervening two days.

The foregoing experience was, in many respects, the beginning of my interest in vintage repro jackets. I already appreciated the styling and had purchased a couple of vintage repro type jackets – e.g., a LVC café racer and Menlo – but I had no idea about the relationship between the current models and vintage jackets. During my research of the Beck and Buco jackets, I discovered the many present day manufacturers of vintage repros. I discovered that my LVC café racer was not a new design, but rather, loosely based on vintage café racers from years past. Unfortunately for my pocket book, I also discovered that my LVC café racer was not a particularly good representation of the original, and the leather was not on a par with the leathers offered by other manufacturers. Thus commenced my full scale immersion into the world of vintage repro jackets, beginning first by replacing my LVC café racer with a Real McCoys Buco J-100.

Although I filled the void of the missed original Buco J-100 with the Real McCoys replica, I remained interested in purchasing an original and kept my eyes open (I admittedly did not engage in an aggressive search). Unfortunately, larger sized original Buco J-100s are not easy to find in decent condition. Moreover, RRL scoops up a large number of the good condition original Bucos that come to market, and thereafter resells them for a king’s ransom. Last year, I came across an outstanding Buco J-100 at RRL and decided to buy it notwithstanding the insane price tag. However, just as I was handing over my credit card, I balked and, as before, I decided to pause and contemplate the purchase before completing the deal. The result was exactly the same as before – two days later, the jacket was sold and I again lost out (RRL has a remarkable following of buyers willing to pay $3,XXX for these jackets).

This past February, while at InspirationLA, I searched for a Buco J-100. I found a few, but they were either trashed or way too small (usually both). I started up a discussion with one of the vintage clothing/jacket vendors – who had a great condition Buco that was too small – and told him about my quest. Turns out that this gentleman is a regular supplier of vintage jackets for RRL. He told me what I already knew: good quality larger sizes are rare and hard to come by, and RRL buys most good examples for resale in their stores at exorbitant prices. Nevertheless, he took my phone number and promised to call me the next time he came across one. That was February.

Last week, my new friend texted me with good news – he had a size 42 original Buco J-100 in good condition. I met him yesterday. The jacket was perfect – exactly what I was looking for in terms of wear versus condition. More importantly, it fit like a glove. And thus I finally own a vintage Buco J-100 (for considerably less than what RRL charges).

Again, I apologize for the excess verbiage preceding the far more important photos.

View attachment 116184

View attachment 116185

View attachment 116186

View attachment 116187

View attachment 116188

View attachment 116189

View attachment 116190

Awesome story and jacket! It's the first time that I learnt that RRL buys and resells those vintage jackets! If I may ask, where do they sell those, online or in certain stores? I never saw there's such a section on there website, and I visited their store in NYC, didn't see anything vintage either. Thanks!

 

[Superfluous]

Awesome story and jacket! It's the first time that I learnt that RRL buys and resells those vintage jackets! If I may ask, where do they sell those, online or in certain stores? I never saw there's such a section on there website, and I visited their store in NYC, didn't see anything vintage either. Thanks!

In the RRL Melrise store, they have the vintage jackets hung up high throughout the store. Be forewarned that they are VERY expensive. Bucos are $3750 - $4500. If you have the time and patience, you can find these jackets elsewhere for less (although larger sizes in good condition are harder to find). On the other hand, the jackets carried by RRL are in good vintage condition and RRL gets larger sizes.

I don’t know which store you visited in NYC, but regular Ralph Lauren / Polo stores, that also carry RRL, do carry the vintage jackets. You have to visit a dedicated RRL store (there are at least two dedicated RRL stores in NYC).

 

[Kalmer]

In the RRL Melrise store, they have the vintage jackets hung up high throughout the store. Be forewarned that they are VERY expensive. Bucos are $3750 - $4500. If you have the time and patience, you can find these jackets elsewhere for less (although larger sizes in good condition are harder to find). On the other hand, the jackets carried by RRL are in good vintage condition and RRL gets larger sizes.

I don’t know which store you visited in NYC, but regular Ralph Lauren / Polo stores, that also carry RRL, do carry the vintage jackets. You have to visit a dedicated RRL store (there are at least two dedicated RRL stores in NYC).

That’s definitely something quite interesting to learn! And I also feel kind of weird that a brand resells vintage stuff from other brands in their own store,while they seem to be the only brand that profit from this business.
I visited the dedicated RRL store in soho, maybe I just didn’t pay much attention to them at that time. Large size is not an issue for me since I wear 38 most of time. I don’t think I’m gonna pay large bucks on them but I’ll definitely take a look next time I visit there.

 

[handymike]

In Soho (West B'way), they don't have as many as they used to...maybe 10 hung up high just past the cashier.

 

[jonbuilder]

@ superfluous: Do you mind posting measurements of your J-100. As others have mentioned the jacket fits like it was tailored for you.

 

[Ole K. Vik]

Awesome story and great looking jacket! Would love to get my hands on one of those! Wouldn't mind talking to your contact

 

[Superfluous]

Wouldn't mind talking to your contact

I am told that he passed away.

 

[Ole K. Vik]

I am told that he passed away.

So sorry to hear that...

 

[Vavea]

I apologize in advance for the long post.

Several years ago, I came across an original Buco J-100 at the RRL store that was in great condition and fit me perfectly – they also had a gorgeous Beck 666. At the time, I had never heard of either Buco or Beck, and I knew exactly nothing about vintage leather jackets. I loved both jackets, but was hesitant given my lack of knowledge and the substantial prices for “used” clothing. Thus, I decided to pause, do a little research, and thereafter decide whether to purchase one of the jackets. Over the next couple of days, I researched Beck and Buco jackets and educated myself a bit (merely a thimble full compared to certain TFL members). I decided to pull the trigger and returned to RRL ready to hand over a wad of cash. Much to my disappointment, RRL sold both jackets during the intervening two days.

The foregoing experience was, in many respects, the beginning of my interest in vintage repro jackets. I already appreciated the styling and had purchased a couple of vintage repro type jackets – e.g., a LVC café racer and Menlo – but I had no idea about the relationship between the current models and vintage jackets. During my research of the Beck and Buco jackets, I discovered the many present day manufacturers of vintage repros. I discovered that my LVC café racer was not a new design, but rather, loosely based on vintage café racers from years past. Unfortunately for my pocket book, I also discovered that my LVC café racer was not a particularly good representation of the original, and the leather was not on a par with the leathers offered by other manufacturers. Thus commenced my full scale immersion into the world of vintage repro jackets, beginning first by replacing my LVC café racer with a Real McCoys Buco J-100.

Although I filled the void of the missed original Buco J-100 with the Real McCoys replica, I remained interested in purchasing an original and kept my eyes open (I admittedly did not engage in an aggressive search). Unfortunately, larger sized original Buco J-100s are not easy to find in decent condition. Moreover, RRL scoops up a large number of the good condition original Bucos that come to market, and thereafter resells them for a king’s ransom. Last year, I came across an outstanding Buco J-100 at RRL and decided to buy it notwithstanding the insane price tag. However, just as I was handing over my credit card, I balked and, as before, I decided to pause and contemplate the purchase before completing the deal. The result was exactly the same as before – two days later, the jacket was sold and I again lost out (RRL has a remarkable following of buyers willing to pay $3,XXX for these jackets).

This past February, while at InspirationLA, I searched for a Buco J-100. I found a few, but they were either trashed or way too small (usually both). I started up a discussion with one of the vintage clothing/jacket vendors – who had a great condition Buco that was too small – and told him about my quest. Turns out that this gentleman is a regular supplier of vintage jackets for RRL. He told me what I already knew: good quality larger sizes are rare and hard to come by, and RRL buys most good examples for resale in their stores at exorbitant prices. Nevertheless, he took my phone number and promised to call me the next time he came across one. That was February.

Last week, my new friend texted me with good news – he had a size 42 original Buco J-100 in good condition. I met him yesterday. The jacket was perfect – exactly what I was looking for in terms of wear versus condition. More importantly, it fit like a glove. And thus I finally own a vintage Buco J-100 (for considerably less than what RRL charges).

Again, I apologize for the excess verbiage preceding the far more important photos.

View attachment 116184

View attachment 116185

View attachment 116186

View attachment 116187

View attachment 116188

View attachment 116189

View attachment 116190

Hi Man!
The jacket fits you like a glove!
I also looking for a J-100 but i'm torn between size 40 and 42.
Would you mind tell me your height and weight Please?

 

[Marc mndt]

@Superfluous there's a fine crosszip waiting for you at the RRL store in Paris

 

[Superfluous]

Hi Man!
The jacket fits you like a glove!
I also looking for a J-100 but i'm torn between size 40 and 42.
Would you mind tell me your height and weight Please?

Thanks. 6'0'', 165 lbs.

 

[Superfluous]

@Superfluous there's a fine crosszip waiting for you at the RRL store in Paris

View attachment 379601

A few months ago, I tried on a Flat Head cross-zip that fit me perfectly. If I were ever to buy one, that would be it. Unfortunately, its just not my style. It feels like cosplay . . . on steroids.

 

[dudewuttheheck]

A few months ago, I tried on a Flat Head cross-zip that fit me perfectly. If I were ever to buy one, that would be it. Unfortunately, its just not my style. It feels like cosplay . . . on steroids.

I'm just shocked that one of those fit a real person...