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Engelbert Vanek cycling jacket size 38

Mandarin

Practically Family
Messages
625
For sale is this made in Austria cycling jacket aka Luftwaffe jacket.
Fits like a snug 38.
I'm selling it mainly because I hardly ever wear it.
The leather is supple but very hefty, with very pronounced grain in places. It was sold as horse hide.
It was most likely handmade to measure, with thorough attention to detail. Construction is very impressive.
Lining is made of wool tartan, with sleeves made in satin.
2 inner pockets, one on each side.
4 exterior pockets, zipped.
Probably due to a mistake, the side adjusters were originally placed too far away from each other before being properly relocated, thus leaving stitch holes visible (see pic).
Measurements:
Ptp: 21"
Back: 22.5"
Shoulders: 17.5"
Sleeves: 24"

Asking 250€ plus shipping
I'm using some of the seller's pictures since there's no additional wear to the jacket

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Will Zach

I'll Lock Up
Messages
4,418
Location
SoFlo
This is... Beyond anything. The jacket, the leather, everything looks out of this world. People, GET THIS! Seriously. Vanek construction and workmanship is on par with the best of 'em, if this isn't already plainly obvious by these photos.

...and, it looks like Engelbert improved upon his father, Anton. The hide looks thicker and has more character. Also handwarmer pockets. If I did not have Anton's jacket already I'd go for this. This is seriously great stuff.
 

AeroFan_07

I'll Lock Up
Messages
5,314
Location
Iowa
Does this company have a website? I would be interested in such a jacket that is a size 44 or so. Searcing the name does not yield valid results...
 

Mandarin

Practically Family
Messages
625
Does this company have a website? I would be interested in such a jacket that is a size 44 or so. Searcing the name does not yield valid results...
All I found was the same old link Google comes up with: a local newspaper article telling the Vanek story, how they used to make jackets for the police, and how Arnold Schwarzenegger asked them for one. No contact, as I recall.
 
Messages
16,405
Does this company have a website? I would be interested in such a jacket that is a size 44 or so. Searcing the name does not yield valid results...

They are still in business in Austria, you can find them directly over Google, just look for "Engelbert Vanek". It's a family business and has been for generations. I have their police suit and occasionally wear it. Out of this world quality, seriously. If more people knew about them they'd be Lost Worlds quality, only with their own original designs.
 

Claybertrand

One Too Many
Messages
1,544
They are still in business in Austria, you can find them directly over Google, just look for "Engelbert Vanek". It's a family business and has been for generations. I have their police suit and occasionally wear it. Out of this world quality, seriously. If more people knew about them they'd be Lost Worlds quality, only with their own original designs.

I have been quietly hunting high and low for a Vanek after bypassing one (like you did with those Harros years ago) when I was new to this hobby and couldn't find enough info on the jacket to convince me to pull the trigger. Englebert is the second or third generation of this family business I believe. This jacket is beautiful. I've only seen a couple and they always seem to be STEALS for what they go for.

I would buy this in a heartbeat if it was in my size range. All of them look very well made and the designs are awesome. I love that its a multigenerational family business too. I actually had them as a place to visit when I go to Germany again. I would definitely make a side trip to Austria to check out their wares.
 
Messages
16,405
I have been quietly hunting high and low for a Vanek after bypassing one (like you did with those Harros years ago) when I was new to this hobby and couldn't find enough info on the jacket to convince me to pull the trigger. Englebert is the second or third generation of this family business I believe. This jacket is beautiful. I've only seen a couple and they always seem to be STEALS for what they go for.

I would buy this in a heartbeat if it was in my size range. All of them look very well made and the designs are awesome. I love that its a multigenerational family business too. I actually had them as a place to visit when I go to Germany again. I would definitely make a side trip to Austria to check out their wares.

Yep, I think the current owner is the 3d generation. I found out about them many years ago but back then there was no mention of it online and while I'd normally also dismiss it, especially back then when I knew nothing about jackets, I could immediately tell this is something entirely different. The fit, workmanship, leather, details, everything was just another level.
 

Claybertrand

One Too Many
Messages
1,544
Yep, I think the current owner is the 3d generation. I found out about them many years ago but back then there was no mention of it online and while I'd normally also dismiss it, especially back then when I knew nothing about jackets, I could immediately tell this is something entirely different. The fit, workmanship, leather, details, everything was just another level.


As I recall, prior to Englebert, it was Anton Vanek. So you can see Anton Vanek's name on the older jackets. Rare to see these on the market at all but I have seen a couple of Anton Vanek's and this is maybe the second or third Englebert I have ever seen. Very little information in the mainstream on these makers.
 

Claybertrand

One Too Many
Messages
1,544
This is the best Engelbert Vanek I have seen. The hide is on another level. Robbie is in for a treat.

Robbie's got some nice jackets so I'm curious to see how he feels about his Vanek. I have a feeling this jacket could well outrank some of his pieces by makers with bigger names especially relative to the price spent for it.
 
Messages
16,405
As I recall, prior to Englebert, it was Anton Vanek. So you can see Anton Vanek's name on the older jackets. Rare to see these on the market at all but I have seen a couple of Anton Vanek's and this is maybe the second or third Englebert I have ever seen. Very little information in the mainstream on these makers.

Nothing European except Lewis Leathers is widely known. And Aero, of course, but they do US repros for the most part. Damn shame considering stuff like this exists.
 

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