Connolly Leather - Exclusive Access to their Archives - World First! | Tyrrell's Classic Workshop

[@vanpastel]

This is the kind of content you just can't get anywhere else. This video was wonderfully informative.

[@kayeninetwo3585]

I agree. There are amazing backstories to so many luxury products and the companies that produce them. With Connolly Leather, it's as if you're looking at a company that's still operating as if it's 1947. That's not a bad thing...that's a beautiful thing.

[@OhioPeteS2k]

This could have continued for two more hours and I would have watched it.

[@paulmcaleer2736]

This was absolutely fascinating to listen to - what a history they have as a family company. It is always a pleasure to listen to someone who is so knowledgeable in their field. Many thanks for another fine instalment!

[@paulpan2553]

Sunday isn’t Sunday without Mr Tyrell and Mr Metcalfe 👌🙏🏼👏🏼

[@woodrow_mayes]

if top gear was on BBC4...

[@julianowens4071]

Couldn’t agree more

[@K1lostream]

Agreed (but don't forget retropower uncut to make up the trinity!) And if it happens to be a blue moon, the odd Bad Obsession Motorsport upload goes down well, too!

[@m7dgz]

Yep, this and Harry's Garage are so much more interesting and involving than any car related stuff on mainstream TV!

[@iainmackenzie3704]

Hear, hear!

[@GM-fh5jp]

It's such a pleasure when Iain uploads a new episode. KZbin for adults. Interesting, dignified, and replete with Iain's gentle humor and pleasant, empathetic style. Much could other KZbinrs learn from Master Tyrell.

[@melanieraphael5144]

Wow! Such a fascinating look into an iconic family company that has touched the world’s cars. Thank you Iain. Your creativity, insight and interviewing skills make this another incredible episode.

[@max.zelinski]

agree

[@philiphodge4254]

Superb. Very interesting and great to listen to all the history surrounding the Quality Connolly company. 👍😎🇬🇧

[@richardaustinaustin1890]

Stories behind the the motor industry are as interesting as the cars themselves. Great idea to bring this story to us Ian 👍.

[@HROM1908]

My paternal grandfather Alfred Brown was an accountant for Connolly's up to June 1943. After his death his wife was treated very well by them. His pension was continued until her death in 1965.

[@krispandcool]

Interesting to see the leather used in the Lancia Lambda from the 20’s. My father had a partial restored one in our garage as a kid. I used to sit on the front seat as a toddler and one of my first memories is looking and touching that leather. That old Lancia also supplied me with the first permanent scare on my body. Very interesting video and so much history.

[@philt5782]

Great to see an iconic British name still family owned. I work in the gun trade and Purdey, H&H, Boss all sold to foreign owners. There is no soul there anymore. Yes still operating but not the same. Maybe I'm just looking through rose tinted glasses but well done Connolly. Here's to many more years.

[@NLBassist]

My whole life I read about Connolly leather and now it has a face, I know it's history. Just wow.

[@golden.lights.twinkle2329]

Fascinating video. Nowadays the only interior colours on most cars are black, grey or tan. And many door and dash sections are black no matter what interior colour you choose. The only car I've owned with leather was a 1966 Cadillac. Most of the interior was silk brocade but with some leather sections.

[@davidadams007]

Brilliant. Connolly leather was something I learned of when I was a young car lover. The name is steeped in history and known all over the world. Great to have an intimate look into this very special British icon.

[@allysonhanks9159]

Hi David how are you doing 😊

[@brockjennings]

Fascinating piece. If only there was only a way for KZbin to capture and deliver the amazing aroma of those tanned hides in the video.

[@superdooperoofer8941]

Iain, you could tell a story about water to a drowning man and he’d be interested, a surprising video but brilliant as usual.

[@iainmcglynn833]

Two icons Amazing 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🙏😎

[@Yorkshiremadmick]

Great British History Great Company Great Characters Both 👍🏻🙏🏻👍🏻

[@BasilBadger]

That was an interesting surprise! More more...

[@edwarddenmark2393]

Thanks Ian your connections are exemplary.

[@markhumberstone7068]

Fantastic Iain, love the history behind this leather👍

[@thedrivechannel83]

Cloth and Alcantara may hold you in the seat better but there is nothing like fine leather for the interior of an equally fine motorcar.

[@richardallsop5039]

Hello, once again, Iain what a great vlog, for you to even have John Connolly with all his companies history pieces shows how much you are respected/revered, brilliant, well done. Regards, RichardA.

[@MrGaryGG48]

I think the respect went both ways as well it should. That was certainly a fascinating 25 minutes or so. I was about to go out to the pump house and take care of a couple of things when I noticed this in the new videos... oh well, the pump house will still be there. What's another 25 minutes?! 😉

[@UAPJedi]

Fascinating video. Having just watched an update in Harry’s Jag and he’s nit going for a retrim because its still looking good. Must be Connolly.

[@markw5805]

Such a wonder view behind the curtain. A+

[@tedwarren6600]

Wonderful video. I’m about to work on redoing my E Type seats. Maroon and will definitely use Connolly.

[@TroyHR123]

19:48 I had that face for the entire Mclaren story. Amazing stuff.

[@marcryvon]

🤣🤣🤣

[@TheLuisg92]

This video was next level fascinating. This channel always has excellent content, but this video was somehow even better than usual. Hearing all those little intimate details about the company and its products from someone involved in the operation gave us a better appreciation about how special Connolly leather is.

[@iangillett2488]

What a fascinating insight into an iconic part of beautiful cars. Nothing beats the aroma of fine leather as you open the door. Thank you Mr Tyrrell and Mr Connelly, for sharing.

[@keys549]

One of your best videos so far. Very interesting. Peter

[@TIMMEH19991]

Another absolutely fabulous episode. Nothing else to say really!

[@ianjackson7205]

That was great. Love all the history. thank you.

[@MegaCountach]

Brilliant Ian, very interesting! Cheers, Doug

[@justjoe7313]

What a lovely episode!!! It's extremely interesting to learn some new knowledge and getting into the world behind famous word "Connolly" is a great pleasure! Thank you for posting this and cheers for upcoming episodes! Kudos!!!

[@jononeil500]

Another very interesting and educational video. Thank you!

[@kenphillips5221]

Cows keep on giving - milk, mince, eye fillet, Ferrari seats! They should be forgiven for their flatulence.

[@chrisloukes424]

Wonderful stuff! All these years of watching and reading about classic cars and taking the seats for granted - fascinating.

[@vbrvideoproductions4643]

As a Petrol Head, all I need is Tyrrell's Classic Workshop, Harry's Garage and The Late Brake Show :)

[@NickForest999]

Agreed…the holy trinity!

[@slytherben]

If I find a genie in a bottle, one of my wishes will be for more episodes. Love this show so much!!

[@blxtothis]

You’ve got to love this! I recalll, as a car mad 10 year old cycling, with a buddy, on my little Triumph Rodeo from our home off Wimbledon Parkside, down to Colliers Wood, probably to seek out an obscure bike shop. I was gobsmacked as we rode down Wandle Bank to see an Old Victorian Factory perched over the river, dirty smoke mixing with the cloudy skies. It was the livery ‘Connolly Leather’ on it’s wall, that really caught my attention. Being into cars I knew all about Connolly but had imagined them to be in a rustic and picturesque setting in the borders of Wales or Scotland somehow. The discovery that they were local impressed me enormously, that such a hallowed and legendary purveyor of quality was housed in a grubby and insignificant old slum made it all somehow more fascinating, tucked almost obscurely out of the way in a residential, area of slightly later vintage modest terraces. Then as I grew older and I understood the tanning process it clicked, when erected there was no residential housing in that area and the smells, fumes and smoke was par for the course in an industrial suburb. A superb Iain Tyrrell video once again and to hear John Connolly’s information was priceless.

[@deltajohnny]

Great comment! 😍😍

[@Steve-rv1ql]

I really look forward to Sunday nights. Another Iain Tyrell ‘that’ll never happen’ interview rolls out of the editing room. Great stuff.

[@dinispaulino7512]

What a wonderfully interesting video! I have to say, besides the cars, this channel is a treat for watch enthusiasts as well! Iain with his trusty Sub 5513 and Mr. Connolly wearing a gorgeous Sinn 356! That's an enthusiast watch right there!

[@jamesdonoghue5907]

Fantastic video, thanks. Connolly leather is one of the reasons I became a petrol head. The aroma is very addictive. As a kid some visitors of my parents came to dinner and I opened their Shadow 2 and sat in it…I was like a cat with catnip. Highly evocative.

[@williambremner9022]

Who would've thought that 23 mins about Connolly leather would be so interesting! Another superb episode of TCW.

[@lindaoffenbach]

My word, what to say. In front of our very eyes we are witnessing close to 150 years of the very summit of renowned highest quality leather development and making, all being kept filed ascrtained profusely carefully... Pfoo.

[@Rabx_4]

Very interesting, thanks. Back when I was a coach trimmer I was lucky enough to visit the factory in Wimbledon many times in the 80s, either picking up hides or taking cars down to be ‘Connolised’ (a restorative process that included softening and rejuvenating the leather seats and trim). I also recall them matching a pair of a client’s driving gloves so that his whole car was trimmed in the exact same colour.

[@micheltebraake7915]

These are beautiful outings that make Tyrrell's Classic Workshop so special!

[@timsaxon5825]

Brilliant video. Hope we get to see some more masters of the motoring world.

[@geoffsaunders4960]

Fascinating. Thank you.

[@lebojay]

I’ve been waiting for this one! I have two cars with Connolly Autolux (Testarossa and XJS) and there are too many differing opinions on how to care for it.

[@emfraza7953]

Lovely Sinn, Jon.

[@paullawrence3541]

What and interesting and modest man Jonathan is. It is great to see a British icon still the best in the world.

[@hughoxford8735]

It’s amazing that leather actually smells of cows. One of the sad aspects of the internet is that it can’t capture the smell of opening the door of a 1961 Bentley.

[@Hattonbank]

They actually use steers (males raised for beef) for the leather, not cows (females reared for milk).

[@naturshoot8448]

You really gave the other KZbin channels a good hiding with this one! Seriously though, love the constant stream of automotive history gems you present through your work & channel. Thank-you!

[@ryanchase2873]

I bet that shop smells like Heaven

[@n3307v]

Amazing story and history. I always learn so much watching your videos.

[@allysonhanks9159]

Hi how are you doing 😊

[@morphyon]

Ace! 👍🏼 Absolutely wonderful

[@FiuzasAutoDetailing]

Wow! Thank you for sharing such outstanding history. Connolly leather has always been the nicest I’ve ever worked with. Till this day I still preserve these beautiful OEM interiors from many early ferraris. Awesome episode!!!

[@JohnDavis-ed5sg]

Ah this is so great - one of the best aspects of old cars is that shiny old leather, it's beautiful smell and the fabulous colours of the fifties and sixties interiors. Reupholstered cars are never quite the same - but the worst crime is some of the recolouring I have seen - like painting the seats with Dulux.

[@jeffcarter7197]

This video was fascinating, thanks for sharing 👍

[@allysonhanks9159]

Hi Jeff how are you doing 😊

[@jeffharrison5265]

That was super interesting! I'm restoring my 1972 Jaguar XJ 6 and I'm really looking forward to the aroma of new leather...and I'll do my absolute best to get Connolly leather in there. Cheers!

[@archibaldchimpin]

Superb

[@ghibli608]

At the beginning I wasn’t convinced I’d listen… However, I was mesmerized the entire video ! What I personally love about Connolly is the SMELL ! What a feast to smell an 80ies Tetarossa. Today’s cars unfortunately do not smell this way anymore. Awesome video. Thank you.

[@muhammadzailani7313]

This is proper mature British content. Lovely.

[@simonhaycocks]

Pure class! And there was me thinking my 2006 BMW with it's dakota leather was posh 😂😂 Mr. Connolly would turn his nose up at it i'm sure.

[@wirooudejans4939]

Fascinating story

[@bicyclist2]

Way too many sports cars these days have all black interiors. Lotus only offer black. I look at many sports cars I can't afford and think someone should retrim the interior in something other than boring black. You'd never want to park a car with a black interior in the sun. The wide color variation is amazing, and allows for so much creativity. This is so very cool to see the long history. Thanks.

[@andrewausterfield6710]

Fantastic history, amazing to see this business still in family ownership. Great content.

[@ruymoreira]

Really nice to hear stories from companies with such a long and rich history. Hearing of how business relations in the past were so different from today's. Keep up the good work. I think that you've managed to carve a niche in automotive content on KZbin that's been refreshing in a sea of "me too" channels.

[@alancourse340]

Excellent interesting video Ian & Johnathon, many thanks. I will now rest contented knowing the money I spent on best Connolly leather for the restoration of my humble 1933 Austin 7 RP saloon was fully justified & the car is now in, good albeit more illustrious company.

[@Dave.S.TT600]

Wow! Awesome ...Thanks Guys

[@zymmer4]

Thank you, Mr. Tyrrell for one of your best presentations yet!!

[@harezy]

Wow that was great. Different but so so interesting. Thanks, Tyrrell and the team 👍👍👍👍

[@rogerjeck9281]

Had always wondered what had become of connolly as was so sad to see them go bust. Thanks Iain for bringing mr connolly to your place and what an awesome interview. Always a treat to watch an interviewer who is not focused on showing us how much he/she knows of the subject, but instead asks leading questions for the subject to let us come to know them! Thanks again, was really a treat Sir!!

[@makosasimakis118]

Perfect as always !

[@timbre7999]

One of the most interesting videos I've seen in quite a while. two quality and car loving gentlemen talking about a most important and historic topic. and that F1 brochure blew me away as well.

[@kevmagill5163]

completely fascinating

[@fonzie7550]

Very interesting video. My very first job was at a Connolly leather tannery in Canterbury. Worked there for 6 years processing the leather(dying and finishing)I remember processing the leather for the DB7 a few times. I recognized the marks on the edge of one of the hides from the stretcher.

[@deltajohnny]

Great comment! 😍😍😍

[@jeandibb4111]

That was absolutely brilliant. Thanks so much Mr T!

[@simonelliott5956]

Thanks Iain for another really interesting video. It’s been wonderful to have a look into the history of a truly iconic British company.

[@NuMetal92]

I can't stop smiling

[@Matteo_Licata]

That's been a truly fascinating video. Thank you very much Iain for producing this content. Keep it up!

[@deltajohnny]

What an interesting video!! I could smell the leather from Spain 🤤🤤🤤😍😍😍

[@wotrulke5868]

Great video I love it when garages like yours actually show us the nuts and bolts that go into resorting cars, fantastic video I hope that there will be more like Mr Connolly and his leathers. 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@raybrock6083]

Loved this video, Mr Tyrrell! So fascinating to hear these experts in their field talk about their craft in a sometimes "matter of fact" way as they have so much experience it becomes their everyday language.

[@joelhenderson4450]

That was the most I’ve ever heard the word “motorcar” in that space of time.

[@spellacy29]

Fascinating! 🙂

[@johnmorrison27]

That was absolutely brilliant 👍👍

[@massimilianomicor8775]

Great video as usual Sir!! So nice details and aneddots about gorgeous leather!! I learnt something new! Thank you and I can’t see the hour for the next

[@sevrin1965]

Absolutely fascinating!

[@lewbarrett]

What a great video. So informative, so pleasurable and so comfortable. I could almost smell the intoxicating aroma of great car. Not nearly enough views for the quality of content, but a treat for anyone who watches it.

[@iain_tyrrell]

Thank you!

[@ianmedium]

You know, I wondered why black leather interiors these days looked grey rather than deep black and Mr Connolly’s explanation is fascinating. My first experience of Connolly was my uncles Silver Shadow. It had the most wonderful aroma, sort of like a darjeeling tea fragrance, wonderful. And On a side not if I’m not mistake Mr Connolly also has great taste in watches, that looks like a Sinn 356 he is wearing!

[@gablexiii]

I agree Its a rare to see a proper tool watch, rather than a showy modern day Rolex sports watch, Iain's being a vintage is an exception.

[@generalmassive1907]

A change from your usual content but my my , what a change 😊 Such an informative and knowledge packed video i had to watch it twice to make sure i hadn't missed anything 👍 More of whare that came from please 😊

[@kirisgarage8590]

Great episode Very interesting to hear about the history of the best leather in the world 👍

[@Laz_Arus]

8 (and counting) vegans didn't like this video. 😁

[@Boyzee355]

Awesome video. One on the Ansa exhaust would be be brilliant too

[@floatingonairandwater]

Love this video. I’ve owned 6 Lotus cars (consecutively) over the last 30 years, mostly Esprit, and all had Connolly hide. My current 2000 Esprit V8, despite being 21 years old, still has that smell when i get in it and the leather has worn incredibly well. Hardly looks like it’s been used. I love the quality here.

[@onepairofhands]

top job as usual sir

[@danapeck5382]

Welcome reminder of a great episode, thanks! "I thought you'd be interested." Love it

[@rustyj5092]

Tot notch historical information unavailable elsewhere. Many thanks to all for taking the time to set up, record and upload. Petrol head nirvana ....