Leather is a component of nearly every vehicle at Revs, whether it’s in upholstery, hood straps, or even engine belts; In our ongoing mission to preserve the originality of significant automobiles, conservation experts like Dr. Gundula Tutt are crucial to ensure the condition of these cars. On her most recent visit, Gundula was not only consulting on the preservation of automobiles, but also the preservation of her own skills with Sadie Bell, a Revs intern. 

Gundula Tutt has been a long time partner of Revs, acting in the role of consultant for the paint and leather of both our preserved and restored automobiles. She holds a doctorate degree from the Doerner Institut in the history of automotive paint and worked on the first preserved car to win best in show at Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance making her wholly qualified to work on the many automobiles at Revs. She has consulted us on many cars in the past including our 1939 Bu-Merc, 1952 Cunningham C-4RK, 1961 Maserati Birdcage and others. 

Sadie is currently working through a summer internship here at Revs in our workshop where she has had the opportunity to learn to work on multiple cars in the collection. 

The pair worked to prepare six leather hides for our 1912 Hispano-Suiza 15T Alfonso XIII Torpedo Sport and other cars in the collection. The Alfonso XIII is one of the preserved cars in the collection however, with these vehicles, sometimes material replacement is required. During the years of the car’s original ownership, repairs using carpet tape were made to hold the aging leather together on the rear seat. Over the following decades, the adhesives in that tape have compromised the integrity of the seats, leading to the decision to reupholster the affected seat using traditional techniques. 

During their time together, Sadie and Gundula gelled together as if they’d been working with each other since the Hispano-Suiza was built.

“Her skill, her personality, all of it was just so easy to work with and learn from,” Said Bell.

For Gundula, the experience was near cathartic.

“I haven’t laughed working like that in a very long time,” said Tutt. “She was a joy to work with”

Leather is a tricky component in historic automobiles. As an organic material, conservators such as Gundula are in a constant dance trying to moderate the natural decomposition process. While the 100-year lifespan of fine leathers is a non-issue for most car owners, when a vehicle approaches or exceeds that threshold, the threat of deterioration becomes very real. 

“If the situation arises where you must replace or repair, it is critical to use genuine materials,” said Tutt. 

Gundula and Sadie started with six whole German bull hides, preparing them with primer and dye utilizing tools and techniques similar to those used in the period. While the methods used by those in Tutt’s field take longer and are more laborious compared to those used in many modern automobiles, they are required to maintain authenticity in these historic automobiles.