Ferrari leather smell

I had to redo a few interior elements to get that leather smell back.... when I redyed my leather I didn't notice a significant change in the "leatheryness" of the interior.

There used to be a product made by Ozium that sort of replicated the smell of leather in a spray.... It didn't really smell like leather to me but it did smell weird.

 

A friend of mine put new leather in his F-car and it looks great but he was very disappointed that it did not have the Ferrari smell.

 

You won't, depending on the year. I am who Branko is referring to and I know EXACTLY what you are looking for. I went to a great deal of trouble to find ONLY Connolly leather for my 308 JUST to get that smell and I replaced everything with it. I didn't get the smell I wanted. A little research later I learned the the dying process with some vegetable component is the basis for that distinctive smell from about 89 back and no one does it that way anymore. I did locate an original roll of the tan leather in Dallas but I couldn't get the guy to sell it to me. It really pissed me off. My car interior looks great but it just doesn't have that one last detail that I really wanted.

 

Wow...I better not replace my leather...it's has a vintage Ferrari smell

 

What I do and recommend is to buy scraps (remnants) of that smelly leather and put them under the seats. Works just fine!

 

But how do you know the difference between burnt fuses and leather?

 

Know a source, Peter? I am serious. I'll call them today

 

The piece of leather under the seat is a great idea that has been used by car dealers for ever.. works great does'nt it..just replace it every now and then..Jacques

 

My guys refuse to do new work with old leather...Connolly is long gone..

They are right, in that the lifespan of the hide starts when the cow hits the ground, so putting big money into old material makes no sense.

I'm not sure I follow the problem though, a Ferrari restored with modern materials will smell like a NEW Ferrari!!!???!

 

That's exactly what I specifically trying to avoid - "new" Ferrari smell. The cars back in the day had a different scent and that is what I was trying to capture. I vividly remember it as a kid when I visited FAF and sat in the 308's in the showroom. That's what I wanted. Sadly it is gone forever, unless you buy an unrestored one...

 

does this apply to all old ferraris? my 328 had a strong leather smell, but my 308 doesn't, and neither did my two testarossas. i guess i should stick my nose in some old fcars to do some field testing!

john

 

It is all in the vegetable-type dye that I mentioned. I was told by two sources that it is no longer used by anyone. I suppose it is like trying to find a motor oil still being made like it's 1971 again. No one does it. No one would do it.

Just our bad luck, I guess.

 

Tommy, you need to head over to your local high-line Jag or Rolls upholstery shop. You have to "test" the smell first!

 

True enough I followed the old Jags and Rollers downtown here, there's a plce that has been there forever, three WAREHOUSES of vintage materials and all the swatch books to match....

 

I know how sentimental smells can be. My first car was a 1986 Camaro, and every time I smell anything like the interior of that car it is like an instant flashback.

Luckily for me, all I have to do to get that feeling is drive down to the local gas station and buy one of those little hanging christmas trees (the yellow one, Vanillaroma I believe)

What can I say. Cheap thrills, and a lot easier to find than vintage leather.

 

I agree that smell is unique.

 

http://www.griotsgarage.com/product/car+care/interior+detailing/leather+scent%2C+4+ounces.do

 

As much as I like the Leatherique stuff (Prestine Clean and Rejuvinator Oil), if you want closer to the original smell, "Leather in a Bottle" from Zaino Brothers is the closest I've found.

http://www.zainostore.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=Z-10

 

I heard just Yesterday that young Mr Connolly has started up in business again, i'll try and get some details