One and all Connolly leather thread for Vintage Ferrari | Page 6 | FerrariChat

One and all Connolly leather thread for Vintage Ferrari

Discussion in 'Vintage (thru 365 GTC4)' started by BBBBBBB, Oct 16, 2015.

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  1. BBBBBBB

    BBBBBBB Formula Junior

    Jun 6, 2015
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    Jim,
    Many thanks for sharing.
    Ben
     
  2. BBBBBBB

    BBBBBBB Formula Junior

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    #127 BBBBBBB, Nov 8, 2015
    Last edited: Nov 8, 2015
    It has been reported FRANZI supplied Carrozzeria TOURING.
    Any TOURING Ferrari known to be equipped with FRANZI leather ?

    Ben
     
  3. BBBBBBB

    BBBBBBB Formula Junior

    Jun 6, 2015
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    Ben
    #128 BBBBBBB, Nov 8, 2015
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  4. BBBBBBB

    BBBBBBB Formula Junior

    Jun 6, 2015
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    Ben
    Love that great story.
    Ben
     
  5. BBBBBBB

    BBBBBBB Formula Junior

    Jun 6, 2015
    345
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    Ben
  6. BBBBBBB

    BBBBBBB Formula Junior

    Jun 6, 2015
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    Jonathan,
    warm welcome and many thanks for your contribution.

    Sure you have the knowledge, memory, experience and archive that has been passed from generation to generation.

    Many thanks for your kind offer to reply to us here in the thread. There are plenty of questions to ask you the next couple of years here in this thread.

    I am sure you will write here as an absolute historian expert in such manner so that there will not be the slightest doubt of any eventual commercial character, but purely historical.

    Without any doubt you are a great invaluable asset to this CONNOLLY thread and FChat in general.

    I will surely use your offer soon and i feel others will do as well.

    Ben
     
  7. Edward 96GTS

    Edward 96GTS F1 Veteran
    Silver Subscribed

    Nov 1, 2003
    9,192
    jonathan, was vm3218 always calles "fawn"? it has traditionally been referred to as "tan"
     
  8. BBBBBBB

    BBBBBBB Formula Junior

    Jun 6, 2015
    345
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    Ben
    #133 BBBBBBB, Nov 10, 2015
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  9. BBBBBBB

    BBBBBBB Formula Junior

    Jun 6, 2015
    345
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    Ben
    #134 BBBBBBB, Nov 10, 2015
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  10. BBBBBBB

    BBBBBBB Formula Junior

    Jun 6, 2015
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    Short update nero FRANZI in Ferrari as per November 11th, 2015:

    330 GT 2+2 nero FRANZI (how many units ?)
    330 GTC nero FRANZI (how many units ?)
    365 GT 2+2 nero FRANZI (114 units)
    365 GTC nero FRANZI (18 units)
    other Ferrari ?

    Ben
     
  11. BBBBBBB

    BBBBBBB Formula Junior

    Jun 6, 2015
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    Ben
    Yes you are right and quality control had lunch...
    Ben
     
  12. BBBBBBB

    BBBBBBB Formula Junior

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    It has been reported CONNOLLY used different technical processes during the decades.

    Ben
     
  13. BBBBBBB

    BBBBBBB Formula Junior

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    More about CONNOLLY: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Connolly_Leather

    From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

    Connolly Leather Ltd was a British company that supplied highly finished leather primarily to car manufacturers, founded in 1878. The term is also used to describe the particular brand of leather itself, when fitted in a car interior.

    Connolly supplied most of the leather for the British car industry, including but not limited to Aston Martin & Lagonda, Rolls-Royce & Bentley, Jaguar & Daimler, and Rover cars including its Land Rover and Range Rover vehicles as well as some MG and Mini models during the Rover Group era. Non-British makes included Ferrari and Maserati, Lincoln and Lexus. This leather was also used for the seats in the Supermarine Spitfires used in World War 2.

    Connolly leather gained such prominence in the world of luxury travel beyond cars, such as private jets and yachts, that it was selected for high profile projects as Concorde and the Queen Elizabeth 2 ocean liner.

    Connolly also reached the world of interiors and design, with Mies Van Der Rohe's original Barcelona chairs upholstered with Connolly leather as well as the benches in Britain's Houses of Parliament together with many other parliaments around the world. Connolly earned a Royal Warrant, being appointed Leather Tanners and Curriers to Queen Elizabeth II.

    In addition to upholstery, Connolly Leather has been used in the manufacture of high-end sound audio components such as the B&W Signature 800 series loudspeakers as an expression of the quality and luxury status of the item. Connolly Leather was also used by Luxman and "retro-design" transistor radios from British manufacturer Roberts.

    The family started a retail business, Connolly Luxury Leathergoods Limited, selling exclusive and bespoke leather goods and accessories. The business developed a high profile clientele which included celebrities, socialites and industry leaders. Today, Connolly accessory designs can be found in museums around the world.

    The company also sold leather-care products (e.g. Connolly Hide-Food); restoring leather is sometimes known as "Connollising", thanks to the reputation of the company.

    Although "Connollising" is somewhat shrouded in secret, it basically involves scrubbing down the leather with a cleaner/soap while using a stiff brush (such as a nail brush) or slightly abrasive sponge which thins and removes most of the original surface color & finish. The leather is then moisturized and recolored, bringing it back as close to original condition as possible. Connollising involves the leather surface more than the leather itself. Connollising can not fix cracks or extremely dry leather. Connollising fixes the "wear and tear" of the surface due to typical usage and age (and possibly some neglect).

    Although the words "Connollising" and "Connolised" are supposedly legally protected, most restoration companies employ a similar if not the same technique to restore leather and "bring it back to life," except they can not advertise it as "Connollising."

    An attempt to expand into the American market in the 1990s failed badly and Connolly Leather ceased trading in June 2002.

    However, in 2003, Jonathan Connolly established C B Leather Ltd and resumed the manufacture and production of high quality leather and now sells under both C B Leather and Connolly.

    The recipes to Connolly Hide-Food and their Leather-Cleaner have since been sold or licensed and have returned to the market
     
  14. BBBBBBB

    BBBBBBB Formula Junior

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    More about CONNOLLY: Heritage - CONNOLLY

    HERITAGE

    Leather is timeless, as old as history. It is part of the fabric of society. Through the Millenia it has supported, clad and protected us bringing longevity and character to every age.

    Connolly Leather, founded in 1878, is quintessentially British. The distinctive personality of Connolly hide, shaped alongside the giants of the motoring industry, is evocative of a timeless era of classic motoring and design....some things never change.

    PAST

    In 1878, two brothers, John Joseph and Samuel Frederick Connolly started one of the first while-you-wait shoe repair shops in London's Euston Road. They progressed to repairing harness and saddlery, began to buy and finish leather on their own and then supplied hood-makers and coach builders. When the latter started to make the bodies for the new fangled contraption, the motor car, and the motor industry was born, the Connolly brothers were there from the outset. Samuel Frederick was a pioneer motorist and reputedly, the only man who could get Herbert Austin and William Morris to sit at the same table.

    Connolly Leather was on the first Rolls Royce, Bentley, Ferrari, Maserati, Aston Martin, Jaguar and Morgan to name but a few. Connolly leather remained the manufacturers' standard upholstery material until Connolly Brothers retired from the mass original equipment market in the early 1990s.

    Samuel Frederick's son, Frederick Ignatius, grew up alongside, and became friend and confidant to many of the great names of the industry. Sir William Lyons of SS and Jaguar, the Wilks's of Rover, the Rootes brothers and Sir Patrick Hennessy of Ford were some of his acquaintances.

    During the 20th Century, Connolly leather covered the benches and seats of the Houses of Lords and Commons, the Cunard Liners Queen Elizabeth and Mary, the QE2, Concorde , The British Library, The Royal Festival Hall and the Dorchester and Ritz hotels.
     
  15. BBBBBBB

    BBBBBBB Formula Junior

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    More about CONNOLLY: Connolly Brothers (Curriers)

    Connolly Brothers (Curriers)

    of 101/104 Chalton Street, Euston Road, London, NW1. (1922 and 1937)

    Ditto Address. Telephone: Euston 1661. Cables: "Cowhide, London". (1947)

    1878 Connolly Leather Tanners and Curriers were established by the Connolly Brothers, Samuel and Joseph , sons of a successful tyresmith and wheelwright, who set up in business as shoesmiths and saddlers.

    The family-owned business concentrated on tanning hides and supplying, principally, the motor industry with leather for car seats.

    1904 Owners of the first Rolls-Royces perched on Connolly-wrapped cushions as Rolls-Royce owners still do today.

    The Connolly brothers built a business that would eventually supply the most prestigious automotive manufacturers, the most luxurious liners, the ritziest hotels, and even the famed Concorde with a quality of leather that has never been surpassed.

    1922 Listed Exhibitor - British Industries Fair. Harness and Saddlery, Bag and Case Leathers, Upholstery Hides, Enamelled and Japanned Hides for all purposes; Leathers for Railway Requirements. (Stand No. J107)

    1937 Leather upholstery for aircraft.

    1939 See Aircraft Industry Suppliers

    1947 British Industries Fair Advert for: Upholstery Leather for all purposes; Leather for Travel Goods and Hand Bags; Harness and Saddlery Leather; Japanned and Enamelled Leather. (Leather Goods Section - Earls Court, 1st Floor, Stand No. 411c)

    1963 Motor Show exhibitor. Upholstery.

    1968 Queen's Award to Industry for Export Achievement

    The company is world renowned for producing fine leather interiors for some of the most coveted vehicles in the world: Rolls-Royce, Ferrari, Jaguar, and Bentley to name a few.

    The governing body of England makes its decisions from the comfort of exquisite Connolly Leather seats.

    The fine leather products are still made by the same painstaking process that they used when the company was founded.
     
  16. BBBBBBB

    BBBBBBB Formula Junior

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    More about CONNOLLY: Present - CONNOLLY

    PRESENT

    Fourth generation Jonathan Connolly continues to uphold the brand, manufacturing Connolly leather of the exceptional and unique quality it has always been recognised for. With over 30 years in the industry, Jonathan Connolly continues to supply exclusive, high quality leather to the motor, aviation, yachting and furnishing industries. The focus is very much on designing the leather for the individual customers' requirements, producing authentic hide for restoration work and, in many cases, developing unique colours and textures for individual projects.

    Connolly plays an integral part in the global classic car market as owners and restorers alike strive for authenticity and excellence. So too is Connolly leather the first choice of luxury car manufacturers when developing and manufacturing exclusive designs and modifications for their top end clients. As the specification for luxury grows in the yacht and motor boat industry, Connolly has seen its share in this market grow. Luxury restaurants and hotels looking for stand out upholstery also look to the broad knowledge and experience of Connolly Leather to meet their needs.
     
  17. BBBBBBB

    BBBBBBB Formula Junior

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    #142 BBBBBBB, Nov 12, 2015
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    elmadi likes this.
  18. BBBBBBB

    BBBBBBB Formula Junior

    Jun 6, 2015
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    Short update nero FRANZI in Ferrari as per November 12th, 2015:

    275 GTS nero FRANZI (how many units ?)
    330 GT 2+2 nero FRANZI (how many units ?)
    330 GTC nero FRANZI (how many units ?)
    330 GTS nero FRANZI (how many units ?)
    365 GT 2+2 nero FRANZI (114 units - data supplied by MASSINI)
    365 GTC nero FRANZI (18 units - data supplied by MASSINI)
    500 SUPERFAST nero FRANZI (how many units ?)
    other Ferrari ?

    Ben
     
  19. BBBBBBB

    BBBBBBB Formula Junior

    Jun 6, 2015
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    Another supplier MAX GIMMEL: Max Gimmel AG – Tannery – Horn, Switzerland | ARBOTAN

    Their leather is ARBOTAN ®. They supplied Ferrari in the 50ies. Furthermore they supplied companies such as Pininfarina, Zagato and others.

    Description of ARBOTAN ®

    ARBOTAN ® is a quality of leather which has been produced by the 3rd and 4th generation of the Gimmel Tannery. In such cases where the authenticity of the vintage vehicle requires the selected material to be as close as possible to that of the original, ARBOTAN ® meets the requirements in all cases: a vegetable-tanned leather which is not soak-dyed but only dyed on the surface and is protected by a finish coating.

    Surface: ca. 5.0 m2
    Thickness: 1.1-1.3 mm
    Leather Type: Pigmented
     
  20. BBBBBBB

    BBBBBBB Formula Junior

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    More about MAX GIMMEL: Max Gimmel AG – Tannery – Horn, Switzerland | Tradition

    Tradition
    Tradition – at the interface of modern economic considerations

    The tanning trade is one of the oldest professions on our planet. And it can also be counted among those that remain in the hands of one and the same family for the longest time. The example of the Gimmel Tannery shows that regardless of the economic changes and the ever-changing environment, a family business can certainly hold its own at the interface of tradition and prevailing economic values.

    From small and very modest beginnings, it has emerged as a company which is one of the most advanced in Europe. To make this development at all possible, a tremendous desire for freedom and independence was necessary: you must want to shape your own destiny. On the other hand, family circumstances must allow the business to be handed over from one generation to the next. But these changes are not decided solely by the families. In 1848, Johannes Gimmel was able to acquire the tannery, located in the suburb of Arbon at the time, from the Stoffel family. After five generations in the trade, the Stoffel family decided to turn to other activities in future.
     
  21. BBBBBBB

    BBBBBBB Formula Junior

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    More about MAX GIMMEL: Max Gimmel AG – Tannery – Horn, Switzerland | Company

    Company
    Staff and automation

    When Johannes Gimmel took over the tannery from the Stoffel family in 1848, he mostly carried out all the work by himself and only a horse-whim was available as a machine in those days. A steady course of development gradually began and continual investments in new machines were made, step by step, to ease or even replace manual labor. In the same way, the horse-whim was replaced by a secondhand Saurer locomobile, to be followed later by modern tanning machines. Similarly, the buildings at the old site were upgraded and converted. Eventually, in 1973, ideal conditions for the future were created with modern production plants on the outskirts of Arbon. From the previous one-man operation, staff numbers rose to 60 in the 1950s and 1960s. Today, Max Gimmel AG employs 37 people, 31 of whom work in production. Albeit with fewer staff, more leather than ever before can still be produced thanks to modern machinery. There are natural limits to rationalization imposed by the anatomy of the animal and thus also by the shape of the hides. Every hide must still be manually fed into a machine, and for this reason the staff play a critical part in production.
    Over the course of time

    The first generations of the Gimmel family produced leather for articles of daily use that were in great demand even in those days. Tanneries were established as handicraft businesses in all the larger settlements along the shores of lakes and banks of rivers. Up to the present day, water has remained the most important resource for tanners. In these places, road names remind us of the tanners’ districts to this very day. Leather for harnesses and also for driving belts gained enormous importance but then vanished almost completely with growing industrialization and (auto) mobility. At all times, the army which demanded good material for its equipment was a major customer of the tanneries. This circumstance helped the tanners to adopt an anti-cyclical behavior i.e. to be independent of seasonal patterns.
    Between the two world-wars

    Indeed, for the Gimmel Tannery, the outbreak of World War I was the reason why the third generation was not able to emigrate to Central America. The voyage from Hamburg had been scheduled for August 7 and on August 1, World War I broke out. During the war, hard work was again the order of the day and thoughts of emigrating were no longer of first importance. After the war, military orders again declined. Leather for travel articles and car seats was increasingly in demand. These leathers, on the other hand, required completely new procedures where coatings were applied to leather for the first time.
    New materials replace leather

    This was the start of a completely new technology which underwent rapid advances and has retained its central role to the present day. In the 1950s, polymer chemistry became tremendously important with new plastic materials. Plastic soles, synthetic leather bags and cases and synthetic leather seat covers greatly affected the sales of the leather industry. Leather took on a completely new significance and was used less and less as a material for daily use. Tanneries had to undergo an extreme process of adaptation. Of some 100 tanneries that still existed in Switzerland at the time of World War II, only three industrial companies or handicraft businesses have remained.
    New emerging markets for leather

    Only companies with modern facilities and dynamic flexibility to adjust to new situations have been able to survive and prevail in a market which has now become global. The Gimmel Tannery also had to follow changes in the market and attract new customers in the 1960s. The modern design of Scandinavian furniture changed the range of products in lifestyle sector. Seat covers required large pieces of leather and Gimmel Tannery was one of the fist tanneries worldwide to switch its entire production to upholstery leather, a niche that has retained its importance to this very day.
    History teaches us …

    History teaches us, however, that we cannot be content with this, considering the customer base already had to be changed completely three times in the past. We are very much aware of the fact that we have to keep an open mind in this respect in the future as well.
     
  22. BBBBBBB

    BBBBBBB Formula Junior

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    #147 BBBBBBB, Nov 12, 2015
    Last edited by a moderator: Nov 13, 2015
    More about MAX GIMMEL: Max Gimmel AG – Tannery – Horn, Switzerland | Chronicle

    Chronicle of the Gimmel Tannery:

    1437: First mention of the name of Gimmel in the Citizens’ Archive of Arbon.

    1690: Johann Jakob Stoffel runs a tannery in the suburb of Arbon.

    1736: The Stoffel family builds the Gerbihaus (“The Tanner’s House”) which still stands today at the harbor of Arbon.

    1848: Tanner Johannes Gimmel (1st generation), son of a butcher, acquires the Stoffel Tannery and a meadow for 4500 gulden.

    1860: Construction of a new tannery building with barn and stables.

    1875: After completing their apprenticeship and itinerant period, Albert and Ernst Gimmel (2nd generation) join the business.

    1891: The first leather military equipment is produced.

    1918: Entry in the Company Register. Employment of up to 15 workers. A novelty for Switzerland is presented: dyed leathers for leather goods and travel articles.

    1929: Max Gimmel (3rd generation) takes over the tannery. New products include upholstery and automotive leathers. As the first company in Arbon, the Gimmel Tannery introduces a retirement scheme with the Foundation for Personnel Welfare.

    1949: Rudolf Gimmel (4th generation) returns to the family business after completing his studies as a chemical engineer, followed by several years abroad.

    1951–1953: As a new product in the leather industry, the washable LACAR leather is developed.

    1959: Foundation of the stock corporation MAX GIMMEL AG. New synthetic leathers on the market force the company to switch to upholstery leather under the brand name of LACAR NAPPA; nearly all the machines must be replaced by wider ones.

    1973: Move to larger new premises on the outskirts of Arbon, next to the municipal sewage treatment plant. Tanneries are affected by a world-wide crisis which leads to many shutdowns.

    1981: Max Gimmel (5th generation), also a chemical engineer, joins the company after several years of work at tanneries in North and South America. As one of the first tanneries world-wide, the Gimmel Tannery produces the first aviation leathers.

    1983: Max Gimmel AG to be the first IKEA leather-supplier.

    1986: The third production plant is built and allows leather dressing production to be increased.

    1987: Takeover of the leather trading company Gut & Co. AG, Glattbrugg which sells LACAR NAPPA upholstery leathers on the Swiss market.

    1997: The first chrome-freee upholstery leathers are produced fort he scandinavian market.

    1998: Merger with Gut & Co. AG and integration of this company at the Arbon site.

    2004: Cooperation with italian leather manufacturer.

    2009: Withdrawel of the leather-trade business for the swiss leather-goods market and expansion of the specifique upholstery leather technology.

    2013: Production outsourced to partner company in Italy, shutdown of the production in Arbon and sale of the property. New location in Horn: Consulting - Development - Sales of leather for domestic and international customers.
     
  23. BBBBBBB

    BBBBBBB Formula Junior

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    #148 BBBBBBB, Nov 12, 2015
    Last edited by a moderator: Nov 13, 2015
    More about MAX GIMMEL: Max Gimmel AG – Tannery – Horn, Switzerland | Leather overview

    Gimmel leather production

    All requirements of international legislation, in particular that of the EU, are met.

    Raw materials: exclusively European cowhides, slaughtered in compliance with international veterinary standards.

    Tanning: according to the type of leather, mineral tanning with chromium sulfate, vegetable or synthetic tanning.

    Dyeing: with azo dyes without prohibited arylamines and greases without products containing AOX.

    Finishing: water-dilutable coatings using various polymeric compounds.
     
  24. BBBBBBB

    BBBBBBB Formula Junior

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    More about MAX GIMMEL: Max Gimmel AG – Tannery – Horn, Switzerland | Leather production

    Leather production:
    The 4 stages of leather production

    1. Preparation for tanning

    The salted hide is soaked in a bath.
    Hair is dissolved in the dehairing process.
    The originally approx. 10 mm thick hide is split into layers of 2-3mm in thickness.
    The hide fibers consisting of proteins are loosened and the interstitial space of the fiber structure enlarged.

    2. Tanning

    Tanning with chromium sulfate, vegetable or synthetic tanning agents.
    The skin fibers are conserved and thus made durable.

    3. Dyeing and lubricating

    The hide fibers are lubricated with fish and synthetic oils.
    The hide fibers are completely soak-dyed with azo dyes.
    Waxes prevent the hide from drying out and improve suppleness.

    4. Finishing

    The dyed hide is dried at moderate temperatures, stretched, soft-milled and conditioned for the application of coatings.
    Finishing: fine-particulate, thin-layered coatings are applied with a printing or spraying machine.
    Stretching prevents subsequent uneven stretching after use. The applied coatings improve the characteristics of the leather: water-repellency, light-fastness, scratch resistance.
     
  25. BBBBBBB

    BBBBBBB Formula Junior

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    #150 BBBBBBB, Nov 12, 2015
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017

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