In 1956 Lewis Leathers of Great Portland Street, London, launched what was to become one of their most popular MC jackets, the Bronx no. 384. The example pictured below from my collection, dates to the late 1950s, having just the cream Aviakit product label sewn on to the lining.
Lewis Leathers was a retail shop selling a range of motorcycle clothing and equipment made by a variety of firms. Some of the garments had Aviakit and Lewis Leathers labels applied to them. During the 1950s the Elizabeth Radley Leather company (renamed “Highwayman” in the 1960s) made their leather jackets.
This late 1950s Bronx jacket is 100% original with a Lightning main zip. The leather is soft making it very comfortable to wear. Early Bronx jackets were very rare indeed.
The second Bronx jacket is the twin track no. 440. The jacket was premiered at the Brighton Bike show in the autumn of 1965 and was on sale from 1966. This jacket was made before the patent was approved and has “patent applied for” stamped on the label, making it very rare. It is in superb condition and is totally original. The main zip is also a Lightning. It has seven pockets, including an inside wallet pocket and a coin pocket on the sleeve. I particularly like the coin/key pocket on the left sleeve, which is not present on my early Bronx jacket. The leather is full of grain. It is tagged a 42, but fits bigger.
Lewis Leathers was a retail shop selling a range of motorcycle clothing and equipment made by a variety of firms. Some of the garments had Aviakit and Lewis Leathers labels applied to them. During the 1950s the Elizabeth Radley Leather company (renamed “Highwayman” in the 1960s) made their leather jackets.
This late 1950s Bronx jacket is 100% original with a Lightning main zip. The leather is soft making it very comfortable to wear. Early Bronx jackets were very rare indeed.
The second Bronx jacket is the twin track no. 440. The jacket was premiered at the Brighton Bike show in the autumn of 1965 and was on sale from 1966. This jacket was made before the patent was approved and has “patent applied for” stamped on the label, making it very rare. It is in superb condition and is totally original. The main zip is also a Lightning. It has seven pockets, including an inside wallet pocket and a coin pocket on the sleeve. I particularly like the coin/key pocket on the left sleeve, which is not present on my early Bronx jacket. The leather is full of grain. It is tagged a 42, but fits bigger.