Loop pile carpet, any recent purchases? (2008)

[Z Speed]

Oops, sorry for the double post. Please see below;

[Z Speed]

Arne,

Yes, I'm talking about the notches cut into the rear edge of the deck carpet where the straps are attached. My original carpet was long gone when I got it, so I wasn't certain how the front straps were attached through the carpet (individual holes or a longer slot). Based on what was described, my 5/72 probably had holes for the front mounts but notches cut into the rear part of the carpet.

The photo of the carpet kit on MSA's website (and in the catalog) used to depict those notches, but the pic has been removed from the site.

Edit: Thanks for posting those pics, Westpak... How are those front clips attached to the carpet?

Steve, my "72" was also produced 5/72. I still have all the original carpet/jute in my car except for the drivers side front floor board. It isn't faded either. The carpet is the same style/mount as the photo's westpak posted. I pulled the car out of the garage this weekend and took some photos. I pulled all the carpet except the rear deck. I should post them sometime soon.....

P.S. My 5/72 has the (2) notches cut out in the rear (by the tail lights) of the carpet….

Here are 3 photos. Pardon the dirt. I never cleaned the inside and this is years of grime. You can see the screw mounts in the carpet:

[Zup]

My 7/70, 10/70, and 2/73 build date cars have the L shaped metal clips on the front floorpans just in front of the seat mounting brackets to hold the Metal Carpet CLIPS that I mentioned to Arne and that BonziLon provided pictures of. These protrude up through serged cutouts in the carpets and the clips installed under the L shaped floorpan clips to hold the carpet and keep it from sliding. The firewall end of the front carpet was fastened by 2 female snap halves clinched onto the carpet and 2 corresponding male snap halve studs that were mounted on the firewall insulator near the juncture of the firewall/floorpan.

Both the early cars had unsplit rear deck carpet (storage covers behind the seats----not pockets in the deck) with factory installed screw positions for the cargo straps in the rear deck metal. serged cutouts for this end, and notches cut and serged for the straps as shown by westpak at the rearmost end.

The 2/73, of course, had the split for access to the storage bins, cut outs in the carpet that were unserged (the metal end screwed directly to the deck), and the notches at the rear for the cargo straps which were serged.

The carpet pieces that went behind the front seats have a seam where it was cut and then resewn to make it conform to the rise in the floorpan as it meets the rear deck forward wall (riser).

AZ-240---I can't say that what I have is original to either of the early Series1 cars when it comes to the pieces around the storage bins. I do have some pieces that go there, but they may have come from later series 240's.

Surely someone out there has an early car that has the real deal from which patterns could be made. Surging shouldn't be a big deal if the upholsterer has the proper machine. It's just a side to side stitch, but it does have to be closely spaced to look original.

Sorry I can't provide pictures of all of this, as my camera isn't very good and most of the carpet is at my storage building across town.

I'm not buying any carpet until this is resolved. My next move is to get in touch with Bryan (LBO370) and see if he is equipped and willing to take the project on.

Thanks to all for the contributions to this thread as it may have stirred the interest for us to get the "right stuff" once and for ever!

Jim D.

"Zup"

[bpilati]

I'm not certain when - but the early cars had cut-out's for the luggage straps, and later cars simply had holes for the mounting screws to go though, with the fasteners on top of the carpet. I noticed this on my early production 72 Z (11/71).

FWIW,

Carl B.

I believe I had to take the screws loose to take the carpet out of mine. I couldn't get to the carpet because it's stored, but the rubber/foam backing is very dry and cracking.

[Mike B]

I am going to post some various carpet pics for comparision. This carpet is in my low mileage 5/72 (a series 3 car). It is in like new condition. Notice the more defined loops and the grey backing, which are different than what I have seen in earlier cars.

-Mike

[Mike B]

The are pictures of early carpet. The first three pics are from an 11/69 production car. The rubber mat is unique to some of the 69 cars. The other pics are from a 5/70 (this carpet is currently in my #237). Notice the clear backing and less defined loops (not just from wear) on both.

-Mike

[Mike B]

This is some very faded carpet from a 3/71 (an early series 2) parts car I got recently. It has the same clear backing as the earlier carpet, but the cargo straps are lower and there are flaps for the jack and tool storage compartments.

-Mike

[Mike B]

This is the carpet from Too Intense Restoration for the series 1 cars. Bound edges, but no cut outs for the cargo straps, it is much lighter (maybe because it doesn't have the spray on back coating), it has the back padding made of colored threads, and the pattern is not as accurate as the original.

-Mike

[Mike B]

These are the front floor mats from another 1972. I forgot to take pictures of the ones in my 5/72 before it got dark, but these are the same style. Note the brown backing.

-Mike

[Arne]

This is some very faded carpet from a 3/71 (an early series 2) parts car I got recently. It has the same clear backing as the earlier carpet, but the cargo straps are lower and there are flaps for the jack and tool storage compartments.

-Mike

I can confirm that the faded and worn carpet in my 7/71 cat is the same as the pictures Mike provided from the 3/71 car.

[Zup]

MikeB---

Thanks for posting those pictures. They are the same as what I had tried to clumsely convey in previous posts. In particular are pictures three and four of the first group--it shows the cut made and then resewn to get it to conform to the rise behind the seats toward the rear.

The carpet I have in storage is similar to both the styles of original you have shown.

Some is rubber backed from the later car and the other is the smoother, more like plastic backed from the early car. All of the cutouts and notches match up to what I remember. Thanks again!

I sent off a letter to Bryan Owens (LBO370) today asking if he could/would be interested in fashioning repro's. He's the guy that did the great job last year of fashioning the early style shift boots and handbrake covers that everyone liked so much.

It'll take a few days for it to get there and I'll post up his response for those that are interested.

Warmer weather-----YES!!!!!

Jim D.

"Zup"

[Carl Beck]

-

I sent off a letter to Bryan Owens (LBO370) today asking if he could/would be interested in fashioning repro's.

Hi Jim:

repro's of what? or for which?

1. The early cars - Oct. 69 to who knows when.... These cars do not have the cross brace between the rear seat mounts on the floorboards. So the piece of carpet that goes under the seat is quite different than the later production cars. These cars do not have the tabs on the front floorboards that hold the front carpet in place either (ie keep it from bunching up under the brake and accel. pedals)

2. The Later Series I and II cars - with the brace across the the floorboard, behind the rear seat mounts, and the tool bins in the floor of the rear deck. . These car do have the tabs on the front floorboards...

Picture Below: later 70 carpet on the Left and 69 carpet on the right.

Also it is going to be hard to find the exact same loop pile today...it's out there and you can bet it would be $65.00 per yard. So with labor, binding, and the cost of materials - you might be able to get it done for under $600.00 per set.

FWIW,

Carl B.