Classic Rally Jackets
Discussion
2172cc said:
Do you remember them nasty polyester and nylon rally jackets from the 70's?
I am talking about the sort of thing that would be compulsory attire at any motorsport event be it race track or forest but offered very little in the way of protection from the rain or wind.
Here are some example's
I remember wanting one of the proper Ford RS forest jackets , you know the one with the brown fur lined collar but ended up getting the much cheaper Rallye Sport non official version.
Lets see them retro rally jackets........
I bought the Castrol one except it was white (not for long) rather than green. Arms into engine bays of my MG Midgets and Hillman Imps don't bode well for a white jacket. (Bought at Ken's in Tynemouth if anyone remembers Ken Green and his pristine Imp rally car).I am talking about the sort of thing that would be compulsory attire at any motorsport event be it race track or forest but offered very little in the way of protection from the rain or wind.
Here are some example's
I remember wanting one of the proper Ford RS forest jackets , you know the one with the brown fur lined collar but ended up getting the much cheaper Rallye Sport non official version.
Lets see them retro rally jackets........
Edited by 2172cc on Thursday 26th May 14:15
Panda nero said:
I had the bottom RS rally sport jacket of those 4 ^^^
There was an earlier version of that one from the 70's, which was sold alongside the fur lined 'forest' jacket.It was two-tone blue, with the elasticated type side panels similar to that silver Lotus jacket on the previous page.
I remember buying one from Ripspeed in Pinner in 1979.
2172cc said:
How about these beauties..........
..........the rally jackets of course not the two butch looking male models.
Love the look on the face of the one with the glasses.
The 'butch looking male models' were actually Cars and Car Conversions (Triple C as it was best known) Editor Paul Davies (specs) and Assist. Editor Terry Grimwood on the right (Terry took the reins as Editor in 1978)...........the rally jackets of course not the two butch looking male models.
Love the look on the face of the one with the glasses.
Cars and Car Conversions was probably the best monthly car mag for car enthusiasts ever. Born out of Cars Illustrated in 1965. I bought it for years. At one time it was selling a hundred thousand copies a month.
Sad day when the mag finished after 40 odd yrs. I heard that the entire C&CC photo archive was binned when they shut up shop nearly 10 yrs ago.
The mag even ran competitions to win cars, I recall the issue to win 'their Imp', entry fee was 6d (sixpence, a tanner - old money). The articles and features were always in depth, thousands of words, not just a 'bit o copy fillers'.
The best competition was this one, (when the mag incorporated Auto Performance) to win a Formula Ford, forget who won it, lucky sod!
aeropilot said:
dandarez said:
Cars and Car Conversions was probably the best monthly car mag for car enthusiasts ever. Born out of Cars Illustrated in 1965. I bought it for years. At one time it was selling a hundred thousand copies a month.
Agree with that, Triple C was by far the best mag.
Yes, like lots of things you don't realise how good until it's gone.When I said Triple C shut up shop nearly 10 yrs ago, I meant nearly 20 yrs ago
(actually late in 2003).
Time, eh?
aeropilot said:
Agree with that, Triple C was by far the best mag.
I was at a sort of motor sport dinner party a few years ago near Silverstone, and was introduced to a charming , and very enthusiastic chap whose face looked familiar . It was former triple C editor Richard Hudson Evans and what a fund of stories he had. It wasn't really my sort of mag , as I rarely have had grease under my finger nails (my practical ineptitude is notorious ) but it had some brilliant stuff -none more than the wonderful Russell Bulgin 2172cc said:
I remember our family being invited to the launch of the Austin Mini Metro at our local BL dealer in 1980. As an added attraction the organisers had brought along a works TR7 V8 Tony Pond livery rally car. They also had a table selling merchandise. The above jacket was out of our parents’ price range, but they did treat my older brother to a red, white and blue BL rally team jump suit which had the most enormous bell bottom trousers. I wonder if any of them have survived? I just got a BL helmet logo sticker.aeropilot said:
dandarez said:
Cars and Car Conversions was probably the best monthly car mag for car enthusiasts ever. Born out of Cars Illustrated in 1965. I bought it for years. At one time it was selling a hundred thousand copies a month.
Agree with that, Triple C was by far the best mag.
It was my favourite mag of the era. Great journalism, really interesting cars and good for mechanical advice. I used to buy loads of car mags in those days, but Triple C was always the one I read first each month
Louis Balfour said:
In the 70s and 80s, when I was riding bikes, there were similar jackets available with the big 4 Japanese bike manufacturer logos on them.
They afforded as much protection as satin pyjamas, but the fact that they were in manufacturer colours and had their logo meant that they were considered riding jackets. It was if a thin nylon bomber jacket took on magical impact and abrasion protection properties, if it was lime green and had "Kawasaki" in big letters across the shoulders.
You'd have to be mad to wear a jacket like that on a motorcycleThey afforded as much protection as satin pyjamas, but the fact that they were in manufacturer colours and had their logo meant that they were considered riding jackets. It was if a thin nylon bomber jacket took on magical impact and abrasion protection properties, if it was lime green and had "Kawasaki" in big letters across the shoulders.
unless you have the matching crash helmet
E84MOR where are you now..!
T6 vanman said:
Louis Balfour said:
In the 70s and 80s, when I was riding bikes, there were similar jackets available with the big 4 Japanese bike manufacturer logos on them.
They afforded as much protection as satin pyjamas, but the fact that they were in manufacturer colours and had their logo meant that they were considered riding jackets. It was if a thin nylon bomber jacket took on magical impact and abrasion protection properties, if it was lime green and had "Kawasaki" in big letters across the shoulders.
You'd have to be mad to wear a jacket like that on a motorcycleThey afforded as much protection as satin pyjamas, but the fact that they were in manufacturer colours and had their logo meant that they were considered riding jackets. It was if a thin nylon bomber jacket took on magical impact and abrasion protection properties, if it was lime green and had "Kawasaki" in big letters across the shoulders.
unless you have the matching crash helmet
E84MOR where are you now..!
It's still out there (like lots of stuff).
Bad news!
Finding it will be much harder. Currently sorned.
Still have an Original Ford RS jacket in my locker 
Look's like they are still making them though... repro one's that is: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/363783090139
Look's like they are still making them though... repro one's that is: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/363783090139
My dad worked for a BL dealer up to 1979, I remember him having a few BL rally jackets with the crash helmet logo and also with Unipart patches on it? Also vividly remember going with him to the Circuit of Ireland rally in '78 and being blown away by the works TR8s. (I was 4 years old at the time).
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