A story: car clubs and embroidered jackets
The embroidered car club jacket with its traditional chainstitch embroidery and embroidered patches was introduced during the 1940s and early 1950s, when hot rod enthusiasts began to form car clubs to celebrate their love of the hot rod. .
The first embroidered car club jackets consisted of leather jackets with the name of the car club and a simple logo indicated on the back of the jacket. Like motorcycle gangs with their colors, car club patches also had their own meaning.
Some car clubs incorporated the particular make of vehicle their club focused on, such as Ford, and some went so far as to embroider an actual Model T on their car club jackets.
Hot Rods in America after World War I
The introduction of the Ford Model T was the beginning of the modernization of the vehicle manufacturing industry. Ford’s assembly line production, higher wages, and changing schedules heralded the era of mass production. Eager job seekers flocked to Detroit to find work in the former logging city’s suddenly booming economy.
The Ford Model T sold for less than a thousand dollars at its peak, a considerable sum considering that the country was still battling the Great Depression. However, since it was a mass-produced vehicle, it was the most affordable car model for the normal American. The Model T was rugged, reliable, and easy to put together and take apart.
Chop shops soon emerged and became popular across the country. Model Ts were the first hot rods to be stripped down and reassembled to maximize speed and staying power in drag racing. Racing was especially popular in southern California due to the dry desert climate and the proliferation of isolated areas suitable for racetracks.
Hot Rods in America after World War II
After World War II, returning troops struggled to find a way to assimilate into civilian culture. Hot rodding became a favorite pastime for these young men who yearn for camaraderie and an outlet for the skills and techniques learned during their enlistment.
The young men had learned many odd jobs during their time in the military. They received training on how to cook, clean, repair machinery, and basically any other task that would have been required of them to learn and be useful during their time in the military.
Ford Model Ts were affordable, easy to disassemble and modify. Some modifications to the Model T included the addition of dual carburettors, which meant that one engine could take in more air-fuel mixture, making the car faster and more equipped for racing.
Car enthusiasts came together during this time and members embroidered car club jackets, special plates and license plate brackets made to indicate their association with a particular car club. Jackets were often emblazoned with a patch bearing the name of the club, the type of car around which the club was formed, a simple chain stitch direct embroidered design, and the street name of the club jacket owner Of automobiles.
Members shared their knowledge and information about their beloved vehicles, as well as garages and tools. They also helped stranded motorists who were later issued courtesy cards that were used to boost the reputation of reputable organizations.