Now I Own A TVR Do I Need An Irvin Bomber Jacket?

[Fat Old Sun]

It was a chilly dry day today perfect for firing up the engine in the TVR removing the chocks informing the flight tower of my intended route and setting a course for my usual pub.

I have seen some people driving convertibles wearing WW2 type 'bomber' or flight jackets.

The king of jackets seems to be this chap from Moto-Lita at a not unreasonable £1200 though they can be picked up for less than that on Ebay....and even less if you are happy with a Pakistani copy heavens forbid.

Thing is I'm not sure how comfortable I would feel wearing one and vaguely inadvertently taking on the persona of Wing Commander Biggles Smith DFC, DSO, ETC.

And its a slippery slope, you start with the jacket, and then find out there are matching trousers, and a leather helmet and big glass goggles, and what may be a cool looking flying a fully loaded Avro Lancaster over Dresden or heading for the Eder dam isn't so cool if you pop into WH Smiths to purchase the Sunday papers on the way to your pub.

Should I just stick to my Canada Goose gilet and bobble hat?

Battler Britton

[RichB]

My mum bought me one 30 years ago as a birthday present, (a Moto-Lita Irvin one). A couple of things, i) they're quite bulky and I'm not a skinny rake so with the jacket on it's a snug fit in the cockpit and ii) they're bloody warm, so unless it's -5 outside I sweat up in the jacket! It's a lovely thing though and I should wear it more...

[Billy_Rosewood]

Whack the heaters on full, throw on a jacket, a bobble hat and maybe a snood. Has always worked for me.

The rest is really if you want the classic-car-owner look. I think that suits e-types, moggys and MGs more than TVRs tbh.

[frontfloater]

That Moto-lita imitation is NOT the "original" Irvin as advertised : the colours are wrong, and the wartime Irvin jackets oddly didn't have any pockets - so if your nose ran at 30,000 feet there was nowhere to store a handkerchief.

I used to use an original 1940s American version, the B3, which is more practical for car use. As well as having a pocket, it has a pop-stud to close the big collar across your face, as well as belts. The Irvin only has belts, which are impossible to close one-handed while driving if it turns really cold.

You can buy an original Irvin or B3 for less than Moto-Lita are charging for these not very good imitations. Just one example :

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/266652676736

Personally, I reckon that you can get away with wearing an original, but a modern copy would look a bit uncool. If it needs to be new, the Pakistan / eBay copies don't look much different from the Mota-lita, at a fraction of the price.

Edited by frontfloater on Monday 15th December 11:40

[astonman]

https://flying-jacket.com/

I believe Aviation Leather craft are the go to for Irvine Flying Jackets,made to measure.
Whoops just realised that is monolita!

[RichB]

frontfloater said:

That Moto-lita imitation is NOT the "original" Irvin <big clip> If it needs to be new, the Pakistan / eBay copies don't look much different from the Mota-lita...

Well, that told us!

[frontfloater]

I think the point I was making was reasonably clear - if someone is thinking about buying an imitation which is not an accurate copy, paying £1200 rather than less than £200 may not be a good deal - particularly given how rarely it may be worn.

If it was me, I'd look for an eBay jacket which states that it uses real wool for the lining, rather than the very cheap ones which use polyester (sometimes listed as "faux sheepskin"). Polyester would be very sweaty.

[RichB]

frontfloater said:

<clip> If it was me, I'd look for an eBay jacket which states that it uses real wool for the lining, rather than the very cheap ones which use polyester (sometimes listed as "faux sheepskin"). Polyester would be very sweaty.

My 30 year old Irvin jacket from Moto-Lita (when that were based in a shed at Thruxton) is 100% sheep skin with the sheep's wool inside.
As I say, I never wear it in my TVR, but all this chat has made me think perhaps I'll dig it out to wear in my vintage Lagonda to Brooklands on New Year's day, at least that would be appropriate...

[bad company]

Mrs BC bought a lighter weight Irvin from Aviation Leathercraft and wore it almost daily through winters for years. Eventually it wore out where the seatbelt of the Chim rubbed on the shoulder.

Lovely jackets.

[Geoff-Griff500]

Just have something round your neck and a hat as that's the only two places that will get cold.
Even the TVR car club thin jacket is warm enough for me with a scarf and beanie.

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

As said above, depending on your frame an Irvin make you very bulky!

When I wore one in my Midget I was almost to big to move my arms! There is a bit more room in a Chimaera though

[TarquinMX5]

They're lovely things; whilst not an Irvin one, I bought mine, which is very similar, on the spur of the moment whilst visiting the manufacturer somewhere in Scotland about 30-years ago. At the time I had a Caterham and bought the glass flying goggles as well, all I was missing was the curled moustache.

I still wear it occasionally in the TVR (always roof/windows down) but give the goggles a miss ; I still think it's a lovely jacket, good quality and has lasted well. What do people think? - I've no idea.

The only problem is that, you being a Griff owner, a thick gold neckchain is probably a better bet to go with the roof-up image

[RichB]

TarquinMX5 said:

<clip> The only problem is that, you being a Griff owner, a thick gold neckchain is probably a better bet to go with the roof-up image

You're only partially right. The gold medallion is de rigueur in a Griff but it's Chimps that have the roof stuck in place.

[theclassicvaluer]

Talking of old TVR bomber jackets, my uncle was on the team behind the Cebrera Speed 12 and has a bunch of amazing old merch from his time running the cars. Scania sponsorship logos. Crew neck jumper, shirt and a great bomber as well