| Author |
Message |
ctk (Ctk)
Junior Member
Username: Ctk
Post Number: 57
Registered: 7-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, June 15, 2002 - 9:30 pm: | |
Connolly Brothers are a British firm very specialised in leather tanning. They supply many grades of hide but their premium hides are (was) purchased by Rolls Royce and Ferrari.
If you have an original Ferrari (Connolly) hide examine it carefully, the seat is made up from a single hide, it does not have blemishes, marks or joints, the grain pattern (almost undiscernable) runs in one direction. It is first grade material, to get a hide in this condition means careful selection = high costs.
Leather for most car seats are corrected aniline grade and treated for UV exposure. This grade is very suitable for use in cars but the quality is not the same (see BMW, Benz etc.)The Ferrari Connolly needs regular care, but it ages nicely and always has the 'real leather' aroma. Because it is actually a luxury item, as compared to a usable item, it needs the 'luxury' maintenance, that what makes Connolly hides different. A hide suitable for a 308 seat from Connolly (just raw material, no sewing etc.) will cost around US$3000. That's talking luxury here!!!
BTW, corrected aniline hides are okay. They are not the first layer of skin, are treated chemically, dyed, pattern embossed and as a result are less pliable, in feel and lose their leather aroma quickly. They harden and can crack if not UV treated and lose their colour (aniline)if cleaned wrongly.
I hear that Ferrari now uses an Italian supplier for leather hides (Poltrona Frua)instead of Connolly. Then again, years ago they use to make only 2000 to 3000 cars a year and they were literally handbuilt. Today, the story is a bit different. So, don't toss out the original without trying to revive the leather. You are sitting on some real 'el primo' stuff out there. |
bruno bandaras (Originalsinner)
Junior Member
Username: Originalsinner
Post Number: 85
Registered: 5-2002
| | Posted on Friday, June 14, 2002 - 10:38 am: | |
Dr. Got alga phone #. |
Mike Fisher (Mikef)
Junior Member
Username: Mikef
Post Number: 89
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Friday, June 14, 2002 - 10:30 am: | |
OOPS Forgot Gerg's phone number.
845-358-0844
Dr. Cosgrove: What does Agla charge to redo a steering wheel?
Thanks,
Mike |
Mike Fisher (Mikef)
Junior Member
Username: Mikef
Post Number: 88
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Friday, June 14, 2002 - 10:27 am: | |
I have had Greg Georgi at Hudson Vally Interiors in Nyak NY do a couple of interiors for me. Fabulous work and reasonable. My last 308 seats were $1750. Just ship him the seats and he does it all. Get em back ready to bolt back in. His prices will vary a little depending on the availability of the leather at that particular time. |
Dr Tommy Cosgrove (Vwalfa4re)
Junior Member
Username: Vwalfa4re
Post Number: 145
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, June 14, 2002 - 9:03 am: | |
I had my steering wheel (black spoked Nardi) restored at ALGA last April. New leather and new white stiching. Not a bad job. On a scale of 1-10 I would give it about an 8. It wasn't as smooth as factory job where the leather is glued to the metal spokes but it still looked great compared to the old worn look.
I would use them again. |
bruno bandaras (Originalsinner)
Junior Member
Username: Originalsinner
Post Number: 81
Registered: 5-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, June 13, 2002 - 7:27 pm: | |
Just wanting to see if anyone was paying attention.
I got the lead from a friend who owns a body shop (Astro auto design). He called his guy in California who he uses all the time. Request a catalog when you call. 800-722-2292
|
Terry Springer (Tspringer)
Junior Member
Username: Tspringer
Post Number: 83
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, June 13, 2002 - 6:52 pm: | |
Come on! Your not gonna tell us where and give the contact info ? |
bruno bandaras (Originalsinner)
Junior Member
Username: Originalsinner
Post Number: 76
Registered: 5-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, June 13, 2002 - 6:33 pm: | |
Found them. Original Connolly leather seat skins. All sewn and ready to go on $800.00 per pair. $180.00 per pair for headrest. |
Richelson (Richelson)
Member
Username: Richelson
Post Number: 738
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, June 13, 2002 - 3:09 pm: | |
I have heard many go to local shops and have the interior skins made for a fraction of the cost. I haven't done this myself as my leather is in good shape. Just an option. |
bruno bandaras (Originalsinner)
Junior Member
Username: Originalsinner
Post Number: 72
Registered: 5-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, June 13, 2002 - 12:47 pm: | |
Also anybody ever get their steering wheel done? |
bruno bandaras (Originalsinner)
Junior Member
Username: Originalsinner
Post Number: 71
Registered: 5-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, June 13, 2002 - 12:45 pm: | |
Anybody got a lead on either 2 connolly skins or the already assembled covers. Seems the places I've talked to are outrageous $$$.Re-originals in Texas wants $2100.00 for the connolly covers.And now I still got to put them on! |