Russell Athletic Archive focuses on specific eras in the brands rich history between the 1930’s and 1960’s, specifically 1940’s car clubs and 1960’s college campus life. From the dry lake hot rod races of the 1940's there developed a proliferation of car clubs in southern californian during the late 40s and 50s. Clubs such as the dirtbags, the furys, the crank busters, the deadbeats and the falcons sprang up. Members of the clubs paid their dues and received a membership card and often a club t shirt and jacket. The club names and logos were printed onto blank t shirts supplied by Russell or one of the other main sportswear manufacturers. These iconic club names and graphics made the t shirt into an aspirational ‘cool’ garment to wear day to day, not just as underwear. You can now buy Russell Athletic Archive will be available soon at The Chimp Store.