Sushi ~ The Race of Gentlemen, 2017. Photograph by Sean Madden
Armed with a leaky old 35mm camera, and an iron clad determination to capture as many of the “Faces behind the Races” of TROG 2017— Sean Madden surely delivered the goods! Sean was snapping at a furious pace and wasn’t able to get everyone’s name – so help us out by sharing this post and/or leaving a comment if you see someone you know!
Man, The Race of Gentlemen 2015 already feels like a long time back. Damn the blasted holidays for drowning out the amazing memories on the beach and off-season streets of Wildwood, NJ! More good times, familiar faces, new friends, and great races than you could shake a stick at. Mel Stultz, Bobby Green, Sara Francello, Hollywood, and the entire TROG crew over-delivered on a great event, even in the face of a hurricane threat. In honor of them, and to relive the good times, here’s a great little TROG 2015 film shot by the crew at awol.tv x worthless.co–
“This is the closest thing to time travel we will probably experience in our lifetimes. The Race of Gentlemen challenges the owners of hot rods and motorcycles from the 1940’s and earlier to drag race as it used to be done– at the wave of the flag and on the beach. We ventured to Wildwood, NJ to watch the most unique racing we’ve ever seen.”
In 1866, Leonard W. Jerome, a financier and a pioneer of American horse racing, built a racetrack in what is now the Bronx. To ensure its success, he cultivated an audience of wealthy New Yorkers.
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Danish-born film star Carl Brisson & ’34 Isotta Franscini
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Hollywood leading-man Clark Gable & ’55 Duesenberg
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Cary Grant & Constance Bennett in the ’37 Movie “Topper” with Cord Special
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Hollywood western movie star and stuntman Buck Jones & ’33 Packard Special
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Most often when we’re talking about Ghurka, it’s in reference to fashion– the Gurkha pant (and short) and of course, the great American Ghurka bags and accessories. We seem to vaguely know that there’s a military influence going on– but to fully understand the story of the soldiers that originally bore the Gurkha name is mind-blowing.
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Harley-Davidson Flathead– 1929-36
The Flathead was named after the flat vented tops of the cylinder heads– 45 cubic inches of displacement producing about 30 to 35 horsepower. The engine proves to be so reliable that variations are available on Harley-Davidons as late as 1973.
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U.S. Navy recruiting poster– circa 1917. She’s sporting standard naval issue enlisted dress blues– or “crackerjacks” as they were commonly called in reference to the sailor boy on the popular Cracker Jack box.
Women have served as an integral and invaluable part of the U.S. Navy since the establishment of the Nurse Corps in 1908. Nine years later, the Navy authorized the enlistment of women as “Yeomanettes.” In 1948, the Women’s Armed Services Integration Act was signed, making it possible for women to officially enter the U.S. Navy in regular or reserve status.
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It’s commonly thought that the “bell bottom” trouser was introduced in 1817 to permit men to roll them above the knee when washing down the decks– and to make it easier to remove them in a hurry when forced to abandon ship or when washed overboard. Old Navy folklore has suggested that they may have also been used as a life preserver– by knotting the legs at the opening and filling them with air.
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Recesionista is one of those buzzwords of 2008 that’s getting a little overplayed. In my small world, it’s feeling more like Great Depressionista— in regard to fashion and the economy. Looking at these pictures from the 40’s, they look like what you see in a lot of Soho shops & vintage Americana brands these days like– RRL, LVC, Warehouse, etc. There are great, rugged pieces, and little, honest details not to be missed– like our friend’s chambray workshirt (above) that’s been mended time and again over the years– out of necessity, not for fashion. That looks like a great old pair of Levi 501s. I like how the front belt-loops are placed nice and snug to the fly.
To say that my friends, Eric Jones and his wife Cary are patriotic– is kind of like saying that Martha Stewart is anal. It’s a major understatement. I asked him how many antique American flags they own– he lost count at 220. By now you probably noticed the vintage Goyard trunk resting casually under the table…
I don’t know if you can tell from some of my recent posts– but I really need to hit the open road. Soon. This picture makes me especially itchy. Must. Get. Out.
When I was a boy there were certain things that were just cool to you. Tents, campers, convertibles, BB guns, slot cars, Indian arrowheads, Zippo lighters, hermit crabs, anything to do with a CO2 cartridge… well, you get the picture. But if I had to pick just one thing, it would probably be a motorcycle with a sidecar. Continue reading
The Selvedge Yard 