User:Anastasia Zateeva/Johnson Motors Inc. Clothing

Johnson Motors Inc. is a motorcycle company founded in 1938 in Pasadena, California by Bill Johnson and Wilbur Cedar.

Although the company was number one dealer of Triumph Motorcycles in California, was an active supporter of California Motor Racing during early years and was collaborating with such stars as Marlon Brando, James Dean, Clint Eastwood and Steve McQueen in the past, it is only become widely known and popular for its vintage clothing.

Johnson Motors Inc. Clothing
The company is mostly known for its vintage style signature T-shirts. Knitted, cut, sewn, dyed, printed and laundered in the USA, t-shirts usually have large print on the front as well as on the back and small black lozengeshaped patch with JM sign on the right sleeve. The company launched this clothing line in early 2000‘s and now Johnson Motors T-shirts or JoMo T-shirts are widely distributed throughout the United States by its own stores as well as their partners.

Designs
The main part of such business success and popularity is in Johnson Motors designs. The company unerringly predicted consumers desire for vintage clothing and popularity of retro styles and logos. Within this trend getting ahead in recent years many clothing companies have turned to the style of the 50’s and 60’s looking for so-called “old school” shapes. In this search Johnson Motors Inc. succeeded with some retro logos and retro styled new ideas.

Its famous Catalina Grand Prix T-shirt originates in Catalina Grand Prix motorcycles races which were premier motorcycle races in the U.S. Once a year boats loaded with bikes crossed the channel to the small island off the California coast. Triumphs, Matchlesses, and BSA's took on the 10 mile course that ran through city streets, up into the hills, and through a golf course before heading back into Avalon to streets lined with screaming fans. This event made its mark in history and produced many stars.

Another top design is 13 REBELS T-shirt, it has a logo of 13 REBELS Motorcycle Club on it. The club is a historic American Motorcyclist Association (A.M.A.) sanctioned Motorcycle Club. Founded in 1937 by the 13 top A.M.A. motorcycle racers in Southern California, the 13 REBELS M.C. strives to carry on the spirit and tradition of the original founders of this club.

The Johnson Motors Inc. company has also a series of T-shirts in honor of Steve McQueen famous American movie actor and motor racer, who was riding Johnson Motors Inc. motorcycle in The Great Escape (film) (1963). Although not all the designs of Johnson Motors Inc. are tied to American motorcycle tradition. One of the most famous designs classic Johnson Motors Inc. T-shirt has a classic vintage Triumph Motorcycle logo commemorating that first of all it was a dealer for Triumph Motorcycles.

Celebrities and Johnson Motors Inc. Clothing
The number of A-list Hollywood celebrities are fans of JoMo T-shirts. The pictures of them spotted in JoMo T-shirts are also playing for the growth of brand popularity. Famous American movie actor and producer George Clooney was more than once spotted wearing different JoMo t-shirts while riding his motorcycle. His close pal and American sex-symbol Brad Pitt was seen in Catalina Grand Prix T-shirt. Canadian singer and now also photographer Bryan Adams even wore JoMo T-shirt for the opening of his photo exhibition in London. Among other famous JoMo lovers are British actor Hugh Laurie and American rockstar Dave Grohl frontman of Foo Fighters.