| During this past decade, encouraged by the maturation | | | | Before receiving additional license rights from the |
| and relative financial status of the baby boomer | | | | Steve McQueen estate, the jacket was endorsed by |
| generation, ownership of vintage cars has exploded. In | | | | 5 time Le Mans Winner Derek Bell (got one for his |
| addition to the thousands of local clubs that have been | | | | son), the family of Jo Siffert (Phillipe Siffert owns one), |
| created, over 30 regional and national organizations | | | | Brian Redman (owns one), color commentator for |
| now support vintage car track competition. For the | | | | Speed Vision Greg Creamer (owns 2), Penske Le |
| purposes of this article and using the general guide of | | | | Mans Driver Romain Dumas (owns one) and Chad |
| the vintage clubs, reference is to any body style | | | | McQueen ordered jackets for himself and his kids. The |
| created through 1972 as vintage (and pre WW2 as | | | | jacket found it's way onto a number of Porsche or |
| antique - subject of a future article). | | | | Porsche related bulletin boards like Pelican BB, Spyder |
| Most of the related apparel, prior to the advent of "a2z | | | | Replica BB, etc. Picked up and promoted by Porsche |
| Racer Gear" just over 2 years ago, was a haphazard | | | | Performance Parts distributors and Formula 1 |
| collection of T Shirts, Hats and a few jacket styles | | | | Distributors, the pent up demand for this type of |
| created by general apparel manufacturers for limited | | | | product rushed to the surface. Tony followed quickly |
| distribution or created by clubs and produced by local | | | | with a "Bull Denim" Pit Crew Jacket and high quality |
| Screen Printers. International Racing Champion, Tony | | | | leather versions of the driving jacket. |
| "a2z" Adamowicz came up with the idea of recreating | | | | The word then spread to the Carroll Shelby |
| period correct replications that could be worn with cars | | | | organization, who licensed Tony to manufacture the |
| of the period and / or capture the essence of the | | | | legendary Wool Team Shelby Cobra Jacket worn |
| legends of that period. | | | | during the 1965 World Championships. To be historically |
| Having participated in a race that became the basis of | | | | accurate, a sample of the jacket was supplied by |
| what many professional drivers consider the best | | | | former Championship Team Shelby Mechanic, Phil |
| automotive racing movie ever, Le Mans (1970) and | | | | Henny. This success led to a leather suede tribute |
| having been a friend of the legendary Steve McQueen | | | | shoe for the Shelby Cobras and has branched out into |
| - the basis of his first jacket took shape. Receiving | | | | custom luggage for the hard to fit trunk of the Shelby |
| licenses to use the Gulf, Firestone and Chronograph | | | | Mustang GT500. |
| Heuer labels, the first jacket was created. Having a | | | | Tony has recently started on jacket samples for the |
| cotton shell in a twill weave gave the appearance of | | | | Terlinqua Mustangs, a replica of the leather cap worn |
| the original Nomex fabric and having a 100% cotton | | | | my McQueen, and a number of club specific items. |
| poplin lining allowed the jacket to qualify for most club | | | | From Tony's point of view, the exciting part of this |
| events - natural fiber wrist to neck. The jacket was | | | | venture appears to be the acceptance by non |
| also made with a swing gusset shoulder, like a racing | | | | automotive officianados - main stream customers - to |
| jacket, for ease of reach and motion. The reaction | | | | be drawn to what was perceived as a very specific |
| was overwhelming. | | | | niche market. |