I like classic cars and boats, I've even owned a few - admittedly most before they became classics - so it isn't any wonder that I make leather accessories for classic vehicles and boats on a very regular basis. Hey, I even live in a classic Hymer motorhome at shows.
It all started with a friend's Morgan three wheeler. The car was so small he was struggling to get an overnight bag inside and came to me for straps to secure a suitcase onto a rack at the back. I found some lovely solid brass roller buckles and a big chunk of gorgeous veg tan leather and set about the task. I first put the suitcase on the rack and measured around it to get the correct strap length, then cut the leather into lengths, oiled them with neatsfoot oil and topstitched the edges. Although I say so myself, they really looked the part.
Two weeks later a very nice chap with a smart looking MG called. He had seen the straps on the Morgan and got my phone number from my friend (01885 488993 in case you were wondering). He had something a little different in mind. His car was painted a glorious deep and glossy red and he wanted dark brown luggage straps to compliment the colour scheme. 'No problem there', I said, and soon had another pair ready to go.
You've guessed, it snowballed. I was soon making first one, then two, then several pairs of classic car luggage straps every week. It wasn't long before my straps were appearing on all kinds of cars from proper old vintage Bentleys and Rolls Royces to modern sports cars. I now send them to classic car owners all over the world and, responding to customer requests, have added 'Saddle Tan' and 'Black' to the colour range.
It gives me a huge amount of pleasure and pride to drop in to a classic car rally and see several sets of straps that came from my workshop on 'Concours de Elegance' standard vehicles. I try very hard to retain the look and feel of the original straps that would have been available at the time the car was made. It is worth remembering that those original straps would probably have been made by a harness maker just like me. A nice link with the past.
Whilst I love old cars, classic boats are my real passion. Having part-owned, restored and skippered 'Winfrith' a 14 ton Hillyard classic yacht for many years, I'm always pleased to hear about another wonderful old boat being saved from the bonfire. They don't build 'em like that anymore!
Just so you know: I love getting enquiries for gaff rig jaw protectors, boom gantry leathers with pretty fluted edges and even basic items like oar leathers. They always bring back fond memories of Hillyard's boatyard in Littlehampton harbour and long hot summer cruises with dolphins jumping the bow wave. Ahhhh....
If you are restoring a classic yacht or motor car, you will already know how much of a part leather played in the build. Leather battery straps, spare wheel and mirror straps, even leather door hinges and locker latches. Over the years I've made them all so if you have a need for this kind of leatherwork don't hesitate to get in touch. I'm always happy to discuss a restoration project and may even be able to offer a bit of help. Phone me!