"LEATHER"!

Are you talking about the windshield washer pump?
Yes, and makes sense. My early-A's had no windshield washer. My 1969 Dart had the foot pump.
Re leather, wikipedia has a good write-up. There are a number of products, w/ mixtures between real leather and some w/ plastic backer. Some of the part-plastic materials are as good or better than pure leather. My 1985 M-B has fake leather seats that many assume is real.