Are you comparing a NOS 70's Brooks to the same current model? I have two early 80's Team Pro saddles and both look quite different from each other as one seems to have thicker material then the other. I also have a narrow B17 Imperial that I bought brand new this year and I have no issues with the build quality. My wife also bought a new Brooks B67 and compared to her old one it's looks like a completely different saddle.