Biscuit hide replacement?

[adfergusson]

I'm planning on having a bunch of work done on my E-type in the near future. On the cards in the very near future is having mechanical/structural work done (car will be going off in the next few weeks). For this she will be off to Uryk at E-type Fabs for one of his 5-speed boxes, new uprated sub-frame along with upgrades to the brake and suspension systems.

Once I get her back I plan on enjoying her over the summer and then having a re-trim done. However, the original interior of my car is biscuit (its been re-trimmed in black) and I would like to restore the interior trim to the original Connolly biscuit hide. However, as Connolly are now out of business I was wondering if anyone knew of a supplier of a very close match to this hide and colour?

Thanks,

Alex[/list]

[Heuer]

Alex

The hide Jaguar originally used was Connolly Vaumol leather, a mid luxury product. The colour was painted on top of the hide and this produced a shiny finish. It also meant that as the leather wore any creases or cracks would show the nautural underlying hide. When Connolly stopped producing in the late 90's the only source of this type of leather disappeared and it is no longer available. Modern leathers are 'though dyed' and the finish is matt. This means if you are going to replace the leather in your car you replace all of it otherwise the finish will be different.

Connolly Vaumol leather:


Currently available leather (courtesy of Suffolk & Turley):


There are various suppliers of interior kits - BAS, Suffolk & Turley, MCT - and they all provide the correct interior colours but not the Vaumol leather. Not a problem providing you are having the complete interior done.

[Car-Nut]

Alex

The hide Jaguar originally used was Connolly Vaumol leather, a mid luxury product. The colour was painted on top of the hide and this produced a shiny finish. It also meant that as the leather wore any creases or cracks would show the nautural underlying hide.

Just came across thread while looking for something else

This finish\paint that was painted on top can it bought by "us" common people or is a trade item

[Heuer]

Vaumol was a process performed by Connolly on their own hides. You could try one of the hide paints that are available but I reckon the results would be unimpressive. So you are stuck with keeping the original or going with modern leather. Not that big a problem with a 3.8 as it is only the seats and gear gaiter that are leather. In the 4.2 you would need to do the radio console and centre console as they are leather rather than alloy.