Todd's Collection of Automobilia: Signed Blue Vintage Racing Jacket

For the longest time, I had been searching for a vintage racing jacket when I am out doing my thrift shopping. It took me more than 15 years to finally find one. Here's the story -

I had been running around Stockton one day, for what I can't exactly remember, but when I am in the area I try to search through a couple of different thrift shops when I'm in town. I stopped in at one of the few I frequent, and when going through the mens jackets I just couldn't believe my eyes. As I said, I had been searching for one for at least 15 years. I stopped, took a real good look, and then pulled it from the rack. I was amazed at how good the condition of this jacket was. So I immediately tried it on. "WHAT! It actually fits!" was all I remember that was going through my head. And when I saw the price! "$4.00!" So of course I just had to buy it.

Over the period of about 3-4 years, I had occasionally worn this jacket. I would wear it to car shows, or just when I was out and needed to keep warm. Oh yeah! I forgot to mention this - It's lined with blur faux fur. This jacket was a just too awesome. Then one day it hit me, Maybe I should start getting this thing signed. But by who? Well, at the time, I am always running down to Laguna Seca, wait, let me say it properly, Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. At least that's what I had to call it while I spent the four years as a SCRAMP Volunteer, working in the Paddock. But for some reason I just never did get it signed. Then one day last year in February, I had decided to wear it when I went up to the Sacramento Autorama. Yes it was slightly chilly, so I actually was wearing it. During the day I came to find Gene Winfield chilling in his booth. I didn't know he was even going to be at the show! So I waited for him to finish his conversation with someone, and then I started to chat with him myself. I can't really remember what we talked about. But then, wait, I have a video camera. "Hey Gene! Do you mind if I do a quick Interview?" And wouldn't you know it! He said "Yeah! Sure!" So I asked my buddy Alfredo who was with me if he could hold the camera while we chatted. So He helped out. Then, when we were done I decided to ask Gene if he would sign my jacket. And of course he did. But now I wasn't sure if I was ever going to wear it again. Then Gene Showed me his Shop Logo patch. So of course I had to buy it to put it on my jacket. Then that was it. I moved on.
Not too long after the event I went ahead and put the patch on the jacket. And then it was put away as I really didn't want to wear it now that it was signed. It wasn't until November when I went down to Southern California to visit my parents that I pulled it out again. While visiting, I had planned on going to the Bo Huff Rockabilly Extravaganza up at the Riverside Municipal Airport. I had talked with John D'Agostino to verify that he was going to be down for the event, So I wanted to be sure to bring the jacket. I had been seeing John off and on throughout the year, so I wanted to be sure he was going to there. I also had read that Gene Winfield was to be there, along with The King of Kustoms himself, Mr. George Barris. I couldn't miss this opportunity to get his signature on the jacket now could I. So At this point, I decided the jacket was going to only be signed by Custom Car Builders. Why Not! So I when I was visiting my parents, I went to the show.

While at the show I was doing my usual photo and video thing. But then I found John and George at their booth. Gene ended up having another event that he was to be at, so he wasn't at this one. So the first thing I did was said hello to John and decided to hang out for a bit. So I asked John to sign the jacket. Then George. I grabbed pics of the two signing the jacket, and of course I had to get pics with these men myself. Then I just stayed around chatting for the rest of the day. In this time though, I couldn't forget the man that was putting this event on, Bo Huff. So I grabbed a chance to get him to sign it as well, along with a photo with him. It was a great fun day at the event for me. Hanging out with John, since I had gotten to hang out with him a few other times during the year. But hanging out with Mr George Barris for about 4 hours was just too awesome of an experience for me. Anyhow. So far this is all I have to say about my now Signed Blue Vintage Racing Jacket. If I get more signatures on it, I'll be sure to write about it. So I would like to thank you, whoever you may be, for reading my story. Check back often for more cool things I have to share that are in my collection of Automobilia, and feel free to share on whatever Social Media you may be frequenting.