Practically Classics Forum

Brilliant stuff there and better yet; not overdone. There's nothing more shan than a '30s car whose trim looks like it was built yesterday so well done on avoiding that pitfall.

Beautiful machine, great to see it being preserved and well looked after. Nice one!

That oxblood leather is gorgeous. The whole car is, obviously, but the way that leather looks is something else, precisely how I'd have it myself if I were so fortunate.

On the subject of leather, it is now 76 years old and getting quite dry and stiff in some places.

I have no experience of feeding and treating leather so I'd be interested in any observations and recommendations that anyone out there can make please.

Best wishes, Dave B

Don't know if this stuff will work on 70yr old leather.
http://www.gliptone.com/leather_care.htm
Gets rave reviews, I've used the scuff repair and the feed on my 96' Volvo and am well chuffed.
Try asking for advice on their contact page... Maybe?
Good luck.

Gliptone is good stuff, as is the Autoglym range of care products. If the leather feels dry but hasn't started to seriously crack you should be okay but you need to start feeding it as soon as you can. There's a wealth of products on the market but you needn't spend a fortune on the top end stuff. If you're in a horsey area speak to some of the tack and clothing suppliers as they often know of the best products for the job, leather care is one of the most important aspects of horse riding anyway, it's expensive stuff so you want it to last.

It will take time to get the leather soft and supple again, but regular application to all surfaces once a week or so should see some satisfactory results in a couple of months. Once you've got it healthy again you'll need to feed it less regularly, maybe once or twice a year, and it'll help develop the wear and age the interior presently has in a favourable way.

Belvoir is one that pops up fairly regularly as a good product for older interiors. http://www.rideaway.co.uk/carr-day-and- ... wgodjggAcw

For cleaning leather, you really can't beat a block of saddle soap if you can find it and it smells great.

+1 on the saddle soap idea. Available by mail order from Bart J Snowball, specialist purveyors of all things horse since the mid C19. Apart from Tesco frozen lasagne, Snowballs don't sell that.

They're based in Bishop Auckland down there in Co Durham but have branches in other places, IIRC.

When my mate had his Royce (it was never allowed to be called the Roller!) the seats were cleaned with Carrs (I think) saddle soap, I remember the stuff well as I then bought some to use on the Daimler myself, was an orange soap in a small tub which was applied with a damp sponge. It's lift the dirt out a treat with very little effort, then once dry, a good application of proper hide food, then another once that had been absorbed nicely. Used to be able to get the soap and food from Pets At Home Or Pet City, but not seen it in there (mind not been looking recently) but the last stuff I bought from there was useless. Smelt nice, but didn't seem to do anything. It was this, so I'd not bother with it! http://www.rideaway.co.uk/effax-leather-balsam

Although she is 76 years old she is very much in demand for the weddings of family and friends. In August my son got married & here is a photo of me driving the bride to be to the venue. She attracted a lot of interest from young and old alike.



Best wishes, Dave B