Front and rear springs wrapped in "leather"

[Dwight Romberger]

I just purchased an almost completely unmolested 1930 Model 47. The front and rear chasis springs are wrapped along their entire lengths in what appears to be leather, held on with laces and leather boot type hooks! Is this original? And if so, is it common to have these survive? I am going to restore this car. Any suggestions on how to handle these spring covers?

Thanks

Dwight

[Mark Shaw]

I have not personally seen these on that late a car. Perhaps they were an accessory? Unless you plan to drive on lots of dirt roads, they are not needed.

I use a spray-on lubricating paint called Slip Plate that I found at my local John Deere dealer.

[trimacar]

Hi- these are called gaitors or gators or some such spelling, pretty common on the higher end cars of the 20's and 30's. They would have a burlap inner lining, which would hold a heavy grease, which would in turn lube the springs. The leather wrap would then keep out dust and dirt.

Very common on early cars. Pierce Arrow, and possibly others, went the next step and put a metal cover over the spring. This would be in sections, overlapping the previous section, and again, having burlap or fabric between the spring and the cover. This was standard practice on Pierce until the bitter end in 1938.

Neat stuff. David Coco

[Dwight Romberger]

Thanks Mark and David,

Very interesting! Since they are somewhat unique, I think I will try to clean the leather and protect them during the restoration.

Dwight

[trp3141592]

Hi.

36-37 Cord wrapped the leaf springs in steel like Pierce did. When I removed mine the springs inside the covers were pristine.

--Tom

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[Guest 39convertible]

Indian Motocycle did it as well

i havn´t seen it on a car.

Janne

[jscheib]

Dwight,

Good decision to keep them if they can be restored. The are common as I believe an optionb on early 30s, but most I have sen as original, were almost impossible to safe, as the leather crumbles.

I think the fastners are also difficult to handle if you take them apart.

John

[Guest jules greenway]

hi Dwight

they are called gaiters in the UK and are still available-we have them on our XK120 and I shall be fitting them on the Buick: check this out:-

Wefco Patent Spring Cover

regards

jules

[Dwight Romberger]

Hi Jules,

That's amazing! That's what mine look like (except they are 80 years old and the laces go around brass boot "clips" rather than lace through holes in the leather. I'll post a picture after I clean them up.

Thanks for the information from the otherside of the pond.

Dwight

[TexRiv_63]

My 32 Cadillac has the metal type. There is a place named Imcado that reproduces the leather ones, check ads in Hemmings and Skinned Knuckles.

[Mark Shaw]

Has anybody ever seen them on another Buick?

[Guest]

The 29 Buick that I had, had leather ones. My Pontiac had metal ones the same as Oldsmobiles are supposed to have.

[Dandy Dave]

I sandblasted a set of springs for a friend a number of years ago that were for a 1933 Oldsmobile. And they were leather, wraped in sheet metal. Dandy Dave!

[Erndog]

My 1930 Buick Model 61 had them. They are probably a little rough for restoration, but good for a pattern, if I ever get that far. They were all there, but so stiff thay are not really usable.

[Guest jules greenway]

hi Dwight

I've just come across a reference: Page 77 of 1931 Specifications and Adjustments "Spring Covers-Spring covers may be installed as optional equipment if desired. In making installation, it is recommended that a very small amount of lubricant be used"

It's not clear if they are referring to a Factory option or an aftermarket one/

cheers

Jules

[Dwight Romberger]

Jules,

Thanks for the information.

These things get interestinger and interestinger.

Dwight

[DavidAU]

This company in Cleveland manufactures leather gaiters for Rolls and Bentleys so probably makes them for other cars as well.

David

Rudy Rosales, 4086 East 71st Street, Cleveland,

OH 44105 800-248-RUDY, 216-641-7711 days