Tool Bag Repair - To repair or not, that is the question... | FerrariChat
Buy

Tool Bag Repair - To repair or not, that is the question...

Discussion in 'Vintage (thru 365 GTC4)' started by todaxyz, Jul 16, 2009.

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

  1. todaxyz

    todaxyz Karting

    Jul 16, 2009
    133
    Nor Cal
    Full Name:
    Tom
    #1 todaxyz, Jul 16, 2009
    I have an original tool bag for my 330 GTC that has 1 of the 2 securing straps (holds the roll together) that needs repair. Specifically, the short end is missing the buckle so there is only a stub of the original leather strap and the long end is ripped about half the width of the strap. The other securing strap (both ends) are fine. I took it to luggage/shoe repair shop and the owner said he could match the buckle, rivets holding the straps in place and width of the original leather strap. My question to the forum. Would I be ruining the value or integrity of the bag by repairing it with new material? Would you repair both sets of straps even though only 1 needs repairing so the 2 would match? Would concours judges ding me for this? Or should I leave it 100% original and prioritize "form over function". Thanks for the advice.
     
  2. h00kem

    h00kem Guest

    Dec 15, 2004
    734
    Texas
    #2 h00kem, Jul 16, 2009
    Personally I would repair it believing that you hurt the value of a car more my leaving it in disrepair than making it right. As long as you repair it as it was originally I say you are good to go. Remember, if you show your car the judges don't just want it to be correct as it came from the factory but its gotta work too. Best of luck!
     
  3. jsa330

    jsa330 F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Oct 31, 2003
    10,046
    75225
    Full Name:
    Scott
    #3 jsa330, Jul 16, 2009
    In late '03, I bought a mixed lot of parts off an ad in FML; it included a 330 2+2 console, which I wanted.

    The seller threw in an old toolbag. When it got here, the toolbag was filthy, all straps completely shot, fasteners rusted, a couple of buckles missing or beyond repair. The remaining 80% of the buckles were lightly rusted but salvageable.

    When I cleaned up the bag itself, it was in near-perfect condition, needing only some edge-stitching redone.

    So, I got the buckles cleaned and rechromed at a Harley shop, found as near duplicates as I could for the missing ones, downloaded correct-toolbag pics, printed them, and took the whole mess, including the old leather, to Bag and Baggage.

    For about $200 they did a great job of duplicating all of the old leatherwork in high-quality new stuff and putting it all back together; the rechroming and new buckles cost about $50 altogether.

    To answer your question, function trumped form for me. I wanted to use the bag and it was totally unusable as-received. New duplicates were running $750-up, fair-to-good originals starting at $1K.

    IMO, resto incresed the value of mine, which I still have. Your situation might well be different, especially if you're going the FCA show route.
     
  4. BIGHORN

    BIGHORN In Memoriam

    Sep 18, 2006
    733
    FLORIDA/NEW MEXICO
    Full Name:
    JOHN F KELLY
    #4 BIGHORN, Jul 16, 2009
    The Judges seem to have been accepting replica tool bags and a properly repaired original should be held in higher esteem, you would think
     
  5. jsa330

    jsa330 F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Oct 31, 2003
    10,046
    75225
    Full Name:
    Scott
    #5 jsa330, Jul 16, 2009
    I had that in the back of my mind when doing resto...went to pains to make sure all was correct, per pics and original parts-book.
     
  6. shaughnessy

    shaughnessy Formula 3
    Rossa Subscribed

    Apr 1, 2004
    1,869
    Wolfeboro NH
    Full Name:
    Thomas E Shaughnessy
    #6 shaughnessy, Jul 16, 2009
    No

    Sr FCA judge
    IAC/PFA Handbook/tool specialist
     
  7. Ed Niles

    Ed Niles Formula 3
    Honorary

    Sep 7, 2004
    2,493
    West Hills, CA
    Full Name:
    Edwin K. Niles
    #7 Ed Niles, Jul 16, 2009
    Agree; Sr. FCA judge.
     
  8. todaxyz

    todaxyz Karting

    Jul 16, 2009
    133
    Nor Cal
    Full Name:
    Tom
    #8 todaxyz, Jul 16, 2009
    Thanks everyone for the advice. Looks like I'll go the repair route.
     
  9. Jack-the-lad

    Jack-the-lad Seven Time F1 World Champ
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Jun 22, 2004
    78,216
    Danger Close at Moot Pointe, Gulf of America
    #9 Jack-the-lad, Jul 16, 2009
    I agree with Tom and Ed.

    Jack

    __________________________________________________________________

    A good judge of character.
     
  10. Bisonte

    Bisonte F1 Veteran
    Rossa Subscribed

    Mar 27, 2007
    8,700
    Northern Virginia
    Full Name:
    Greg
    #10 Bisonte, Jul 16, 2009
    Good luck with the bag, and take pictures. Everyone loves pictures. :)
     

Share This Page