The age old Hilts A2 maker question!

[johnwayne]

Not sure if this has been covered in
many past discussions but saw a FB pop up yesterday, one of many re McQueen and ‘that’ film and one response claimed said jacket was made by Belstaff! Now I know SMcQueen did wear their m/c jackets as part of the US team competing in trials in Europe but then checked and on their website and they do claim they made his A2!!!

Belstaff – A History of Adventure

From exploration, aviation and motorsport to catwalks across the world and a firm favourite among the great and good.

www.ineos.com

 

[mulceber]

But it is perhaps actor Steve McQueen who should be credited for widening Belstaff’s appeal.

He sported a Belstaff jacket in the classic, 1963 wartime film, The Great Escape and soon after it began to gain cult status among the rich and famous.

Today Belstaff jackets have been seen on the backs of Ewan McGregor, Kate Moss, Will Smith, David Beckham, Angelina Jolie, Johnny Depp, Brad Pitt and Hilary Swank.

 

[CK90]

The funny thing is, if J.C was around in the workshop back then, and having seen the absolute work of art he’s just created for @Mr. Mike…

There would be no competition on the face of planet earth!!

 

[blackrat2]

Hmmm I am surprised at that claim
From memory he doesn’t wear any other jacket in the film does he?, whereby they can claim he wore a jacket they made as opposed to “The” jacket we are all meaning

 

[Silver Surfer]

BS

 

[johnwayne]

I told the guy who posted the claim to look at ELC’s Roughwear Hilts A2 and true as they say, Mr Eastman doesn’t categorically prove the original maker was Roughwear!
I know who I’m more inclined to believe though!!

 

[mulceber]

I told the guy who posted the claim to look at ELC’s Roughwear Hilts A2 and true as they say, Mr Eastman doesn’t categorically prove the original maker was Roughwear!

lol, as though Belstaff proves any of their claims.

 

[Dany McDonald]

''But it is perhaps actor Steve McQueen who should be credited for widening Belstaff’s appeal''

Humh... Belstaff jackets were popular in the 80's in my region with motocross/enduro fans all over. No need for McQueen...

 

[Dany McDonald]

lol, as though Belstaff proves any of their claims.

Well there are two phases of Belstaff the original British brand (Classic practical oilskin) that I collect and the Italian (fashion oriented) take-over that tends to advertise a somewhat fakish newer image based on a distorted history of british and international motorcyclist...etc

I don't remember McQueen wearing a trialmaster in TGE....

 

[mulceber]

Well there are two phases of Belstaff the original British brand (Classic practical oilskin) that I collect and the Italian (fashion oriented) take-over that tends to advertise a somewhat fakish newer image based on a distorted history of british and international motorcyclist...etc

I don't remember McQueen wearing a trialmaster in TGE....

That makes a ton of sense - and it would track with this silly TGE claim…

 

[blackrat2]

I don’t remember any other costume either, perhaps he was wearing one on set but for sure the mention of it implies it was on screen

 

[Pilot]

Maybe Belstaff made the German uniforms.. they are as incorrect as can be.. typical Hollywood of those days.

 

[Micawber]

Belstaff were a big name in motorcycle and other gear way back, the company was founded in the 1920's.

Excluding the AI guff a google search using 'Belstaff' and 'The Great Escape' brings up some eye popping results - but reading some is the kind of rabbit hole suited to the more ferret minded.

The film is a fantasy entertainment anyway. The real story of what happened and the tragic consequences is what really matters.

 

[Dany McDonald]

The real story of what happened and the tragic consequences is what really matters.

Isn't it true..! Well said Steve.

 

[Dany McDonald]

Oh and totally forgot to mention that SMcQ rode with a Barbour not a Belstaff.

 

[Micawber]

Isn't it true..! Well said Steve.

Thanks Dany. I know how to kill a party atmosphere

 

[Pilot]

Oh and totally forgot to mention that SMcQ rode with a Barbour not a Belstaff.

… on a totally incorect bike…far away from a WWII German vehicle..

 

[Dany McDonald]

No I meant when he was actually riding a Triumph in an actual race...

 

[entertainment]

Oh and totally forgot to mention that SMcQ rode with a Barbour not a Belstaff.

Yes, this is what I recall as well. The oilskin jackets that he wears have a slanted upper pocket, and I think only Barbour did that. (Feel free to correct me is someone knows better.) I have some nice old English-made Belstaff jackets, both nylon and oilskin. So I definitely wanted him to have worn a Belstaff, but as far as I could tell from photos, he did not.
Some of the early Italian Belstaff jackets aren't bad, but then they completely went off the deep end.

 

[Silver Surfer]

now, the question that begs to be asked is, "how many angels are on the head of a pin?"