Original Buco J-100 . . .what's it worth?

[jeep44]

 

[Boyo]

Jeep..wow! Thats a great find, and The score of a lifetime... congrats

 

[ProteinNerd]

So an original Buco J-100 is worth $20...

sounds about right lol

Close thread please.

 

[jeep44]

Last week, I was somewhere where "American Pickers" was on, and the show did a little background history on Buco, after Mike found a helmet. I have a number of Brooks and Schott jackets, but this one is a first for me.

 

[Superfluous]

I'll give you $40 for it -- double your money in 24 hours.

 

[Carlos840]

View attachment 167424 View attachment 167425

It's interesting that it has the double stitch lines at the zippers like the ELMC version of the J-100.
I hadn't seen that before in an old Buco.
You did very well.

 

[Gamma68]

I was at an auto swap meet in the Detroit area yesterday, and as my friend was looking at some parts, I was idly looking at some old leather jackets a guy had hanging on a rack there. Two of them were just what I call "Mall" jackets, but the one in the middle had a folded-over label. I was shocked when I saw "Buco" on that label! It turned out to be a Detroit-made J100-the version with no lining, size 42. Perfect condition, all Talon zips working, just a bit stiff from hanging somewhere for decades (The seller told me he stopped wearing it when he had to go to "Maternity sizes"-he had a gut). I normally wear a size 40, but this 42 is a snug fit on me. What did I pay for it? The seller said "any jacket on that rack is $20"........

You lucky son of a gun. If it doesn’t fit, I need another jacket.

 

[jacketjunkie]

that's some lucky find! damn!

 

[jeep44]

I go to most of the car and motorcycle swap meets around the area-I frequently see guys selling old leather jackets, along with whatever else they brought. Guys will grab whatever is hanging around in their barns and garages, just to get rid of it, and make a few bucks at the swap meet. You never know what you'll find at one-I've scored some pretty rare militaria at them,too. I'd say 25% of the stuff I looked at yesterday was not auto-related-household stuff, antiques, oddball stuff like ferris wheel cars, and playground equipment.

 

[jeep44]

It's interesting that it has the double stitch lines at the zippers like the ELMC version of the J-100.
I hadn't seen that before in an old Buco.
You did very well.

Is it really a J100? it is unlined, with longer skirts than I've seen in other jackets-the zipper starts about a third of the way from the bottom of the jacket. The pockets are just a baglike canvas sort of material with no lining covering them. Would this be more properly called a Race Shirt?

 

[Carlos840]

Is it really a J100? it is unlined, with longer skirts than I've seen in other jackets-the zipper starts about a third of the way from the bottom of the jacket. The pockets are just a baglike canvas sort of material with no lining covering them. Would this be more properly called a Race Shirt?

I was going to ask the same thing, i have no idea.
I don't think i have seen one like that in any book i own or anywhere else.

 

[ton312]

That jacket is 100% original Buco. It never had a lining. It’s an early steer racing shirt. Congratulations. You just made $900.

 

[lina]

I've owned one Buco. A steerhide police jacket that is still being worn by a member here. Never owned a J 100. I've had many of the same questions about their value and quality. Especially when you can purchase many nice Cafe jackets for much less.

Given that I do believe that vintage Buco are more than hype. Hype can't fool the market for that long. Other makers saw something in the Buco design that interested them enough to reproduce them.

I don't follow Buco prices that closely. Just get on ebay and start watching and you will figure out a real value.

I am the current lucky possessor of Terry’s old Buco police jacket — a 1950s (apparently) steerhide. I have to say, they really knew how to make a riding jacket. Hard to say exactly what goes into it, but the proportions etc are just right for being in the saddle. I haven’t worn many cross zips to be honest, and have never tried on any of the good Buco imitators, like Ralph Edwards, but it is hard for me to imagine a better executed motorcycle jacket. Not to say that justifies some of the outrageous prices you see, but I think it does indicate that they got a reputation for a reason.

 

[Captain Sensible]

https://www.realmccoyslondon.com/uk/buco-j-100-leather-racer-shirt.html

 

[Monitor]

That's a tonload of money you've just made. These are the rarest. Check out the double piping around the zipper tape. That's the really early one.

Man, I'd have no clue what to do with that jacket. Couldn't decide between whether to sell or to keep it. Money comes and goes. Jacket like this, though...

 

[Mich486]

Real McCoy’s just released their repro of this unlined version of the Buco j-100.


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[ProteinNerd]

We haven't seen fit pics yet!!

If it fits, you'd be crazy to sell it (unless you really needed the cash) if it doesn't, I'd be tempted to approach one of the repo manufacturers and see if they want it for the pattern and arrange some sort of trade...

 

[jeep44]

It fits-I'm not a big guy-I'm 5'7" and about 143 pounds. This size 42 fits pretty nicely, with just a T-shirt underneath. I'm still pondering what to do with this-I have plenty of other vintage jackets to wear, that aren't nearly so rare, and this one really is in nice condition-probably too nice to wear just riding around. I have a '70s Schott Perfecto for use on my '46 WL, a '60s-"70s Brooks Cafe racer for my '65 305 Superhawk, and a Barbour International for my Norton Atlas-plus several other various leather MC jackets. The Real McCoys sure are exacting on the available sizes for this new J-100-size 38 and 40 are going to make for a highly selective group of customers for this expensive jacket.

 

[Gamma68]

It fits-I'm not a big guy-I'm 5'7" and about 143 pounds. This size 42 fits pretty nicely, with just a T-shirt underneath. I'm still pondering what to do with this-I have plenty of other vintage jackets to wear, that aren't nearly so rare, and this one really is in nice condition-probably too nice to wear just riding around. I have a '70s Schott Perfecto for use on my '46 WL, a '60s-"70s Brooks Cafe racer for my '65 305 Superhawk, and a Barbour International for my Norton Atlas-plus several other various leather MC jackets. The Real McCoys sure are exacting on the available sizes for this new J-100-size 38 and 40 are going to make for a highly selective group of customers for this expensive jacket.

You could always sell it to a lifelong Detroiter who would love to have a Buco to accompany his Brooks. I’m 5-9, 155 lbs.

 

[7fiveandStillALIVE]

I live in the Detroit area, only a short drive away from the site of the former Buco manufacturing facility. Not once have I come across a Buco. Only seen them in photos. I keep thnking there must be some out there somewhere. Maybe one day I'll hit paydirt!

I have a Buco J-100 Steerhide jacket that I am thinking of parting with. Bought in 1965, I used it, on and off, until 1969. Can't locate a size, but I was 5'8" and 150# when I wore it. Has the original tag: "Joseph Bugelesen Co. Southfield Michigan". Hung in a closet for 50 years until just recently, when I had the leather refurbished and a new front zipper installed. All other [original] zippers are in place and functioning. Only flaws are a 1" tear in the silk lining near the neck, and a "Skydiving" patch glued onto the left breast pocket. Surface shows NO signs of cracking, and it NEVER hit the pavement with me inside of it. Essentially, it has the appearance of a new jacket.