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Mad Max (MFP)
 
Jacket worn by Max and the MFP. Bubba Zanetti also has
a jacket made to the same pattern, but it's made of fabric. The jacket
has large collars and lapels, has waste-adjustment tabs, and only one
visible pocket. Jacket has no epaulets. The seam on the upper back is
scalloped or "V"-shaped. No other seams appear on the back. |
Mad Max 2 and 3
 
Jacket worn by Max in Mad Max 2 and Mad Max beyond Thunderdome.
Jacket has two symetrical diagonal pockets. Jacket has no epaulets. The
seam on the upper back is straight. No other seams appear on the back. |
Gayboy Berserker
 
Jacket worn by the silver-helmeted bad cops, also
known as the "Gayboy Berserkers". This jacket features a European
racing collar with two snaps. The jacket has epaulets, waste-adjustment
tabs, two symetrical diagonal pockets, and a front flap imbedded with 10
pairs of snaps. The brass sleeve zippers are placed in a peculiar place
- off of the seam. The back of the jacket has expansion seams, and one seam
on the lower back. |
How Aussie Jackets Differ
 
Those familiar with American motorcycle jackets might be
surprised to learn that most Australian jackets do not have the fabric webbing
between the sleeve zippers, but rather a piece of leather sewn to one side.
Also, the zipper tab for the main zipper is actually attached to the left-hand
side, which would make the task of zipping up an Aussie jacket a bit awkward
for most Americans. |
MFP JACKET, type Max & type Goose
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PROS:
The
only known official Mad Max jacket replica. The closest thing to
the MFP jacket in production today. It is made of horsehide, so
it is especially good for the fan who rides a motorcycle and wants
a durable jacket (many Police motorcycle jackets are made of horsehide).
This jacket comes in two styles: the typical Max/MFP style, and
the "type Goose" with the sewn-in padding under the shoulder
caps and on the elbows (shown above).
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CONS:
At US$1136, this jacket is quite
expensive. You can get a fully custom-made jacket in the U.S. or Australia
for a lot less.
The jacket is made of horsehide, which can be a bit stiff and uncomfortable.
The original Goose jacket was most likely made of cowhide, so horsehide
is inaccurate.
This jacket is unsuitable as a Mad Max 2 / beyond Thunderdome jacket
because of the attached shoulder caps, the attached badge holder,
and of course, who would hack the sleeve off of a $1136 jacket? |
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THE MARLON
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SPECS:
RETAILER:
Mars
Leather
COUNTRY: Australia
PRICE: AU$458
(add $50 for a custom)
MATERIAL: Cowhide
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PROS:
Comes with the knowledge that your jacket is
an Aussie jacket. Made by Mars Leather, a well-known, high-quality
motorcycle clothing maker in downtown Melbourne. The Marlon features
the scalloped or "V"-shaped seam on the upper back, and
has no epaulets or snaps on the collar. |
CONS:
The jacket is inaccurate because of
the brass zippers and snaps, the belt, and a third pocket. The Mars
logo is sometimes sewn-into the lower back. There is also another
seam on the lower back. A couple of fans have commented that the collar
is too small. But of course all of this can be corrected by special
ordering a customized Marlon jacket.
From my own personal inspection of the jacket, the leather actually
appears too-high-quality. The leather has a fancy, almost lambskin
matte finish, with unusually large grain patterns. The jacket also
did not seem to have the form-fit appearance of Max's jacket, but
instead seemed a bit bulky. |
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THE DOUBLE DIAMOND and POLICE 'A'
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PROS:
No epaulets, no snaps on
collar and the "V"-shaped seam on the upper back. 2 symetrical,
diagonal pockets.
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CONS:
Although these jackets are
meant to be custom-made, there are several things that need to be
changed: the lapel snaps must be put in externally, the collars
must have pointed tips, the lacing and waiste-padding must be removed,
and the seam between the tops of the pockets must be avoided. There
are also expansion seams behind the shoulders that should be removed.
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Used Australian Jackets
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SPECS:
RETAILER: Found
at second-hand shoppes and pawn shoppes
COUNTRY: Australia
PRICE: AU$70 - $200
MATERIAL: Cowhide
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PROS:
The main advantage is the price. In
my opinion, if you don't have the money to get a fully accurate custom-made
jacket, get one of these. You can find Australian-made jackets with
no epaulets, no collar snaps, with only two pockets and a straight
seam across the upper back. Why spend hundreds of dollars on a jacket
if you're going to hack the sleeve off, roll it in the dirt, and barely
ever wear it?
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CONS:
If you don't live near Melbourne, Australia,
these jackets will be hard to come by. Most of the jackets will have
belts, and have the brand name embossed into the lapel snaps. Belts
can be cut off, and the snaps are easily replaced.
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Where to look: I have thoroughly searched
both Sydney and Melbourne for used jackets. I found none in Sydney, but
was able to find 3 great jackets in Melbourne. This leads me to believe
that Max's jacket is a Melbourne style. The fact that Mad Max was filmed
around Melbourne also seems to support this.
The jackets can be found at trendy second-hand shoppes (don't waste your
time in the Salvation Army), as well as pawn shoppes like Cash
Converters. Chapel Street is an excellent place to find these shoppes.
Also, Elizabeth Street is lined with many motorcycle shoppes (including
Mars Leather), some of which sell used motorcycle clothing. |
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