Carpet Kits... MSA or Vic Brit?

[77 Z]

Tomohawk

The installation is the least of my concerns at this point as I am starting to become quite good at restoration...just redid my fuel line and injectors myself which is something I would not have attempted a few years ago...

Anyway my main concern is the quality of the product that will be installed. I just want something that is going to last for more than a couple of years and is somewhat fade resistent although the windows will be tinted 20% like the other 280 I previsouly owned...

So...its quality not so much installation

Thanks for the reply.

77 Z

[TomoHawk]

I would probably prefer to get a professional interior installer to do the interior. Carpeting and coverings aren't the same thing as a mechanical repair.- it's more of an art. Same with paint & bodywork. I could mmore easily overhaul the engine than install carpets, door skins & paint. Even though carpets 'look' easy, I know there are lots of tricks that I don't know of.

[77 Z]

Very true...with all the tucking that is necessary so that it has a professional look to it as well as factory appearance...Im beginning to delve into the painting arena at this time...just did the rear trim panel and bezels around the tail lamps...came out pretty darn good..in fact a friend who paints for a body shop saw it and ask if I had someone do it as it looked good to him...but the interior work is something that really takes time. Im in the process of looking for a CD player and changing guages on the dash as well as adding some toggle switches and a few extra guages...I havent had this much fun in a long time...

77 Z

[jmark]

Originally posted by TomoHawk

I would probably prefer to get a professional interior installer to do the interior. Carpeting and coverings aren't the same thing as a mechanical repair.- it's more of an art. Same with paint & bodywork. I could mmore easily overhaul the engine than install carpets, door skins & paint. Even though carpets 'look' easy, I know there are lots of tricks that I don't know of.

People I have asked say the kits don't turn out as well carpet put in by a pro. The reason I went with the seat/foam kit is for the OEM look. The shop will install them. He would have redone the seats without the kits for $500 total. I provided the kits for $398 shipped plus $100/seat labor. ('78 basketweave black with replacement foam)

[77 Z]

What I am thinking of doing is eventually changing both seats to more of a racing look or the newer style of seats that many of the "tricked out" cars alot of the kids have. As far as the carpet is concerned the more I am thinking of it as well as from what I am reading here the more I think having a guy that I know who does vehicle and boat seat and trim work do the carpet installation. I definitely want something with regards to the carpet that is thick and not what I have seen that has come from the aftermarket companies, while it originally looks good , its thin , wears quickly as well as sheds to a degree.

The seats that I am thinking about would be something from Sparco or MOMO...more of the racing look along with 4 or 5 point harness's for both.

On the other hand I may have the original ones that look as good as the day they went into the car , redone in a two tone appearance, or just in black as I have them now...

Alot of thinking has to go into this, I dont want to make a monetary mistake and then have to re-do the work...

77 Z

[kenz240z]

I bought a 5 piece carpet kit (80/20 loop) for my '73 240Z from Auto Interior and Uphosltery for $134, they offer the ACC carpets:

http://www.auto-interior.com/datsun1.html#240Z

I put it in myself (not much to it on a 240Z) about a month ago and it looks great. The five pieces have serge bound edges and jute backing glued on. Hopefully it will hold up well, I keep the car garaged and have louvers on the tailgate, er, rear hatch (?)... While the carpet looks great, it doesn't have cutouts for the cargo straps or for the hold down tabs in front of the seats.

When I set about "refreshing" my 240Z I knew it would never be show car material, and that I planned to drive it a lot. So, I figured I'd do whatever I could to make the car look nice without spending too much money (too late!!!). Oh well, I can't help it, these cars are addictive!

Kenny P.

[77 Z]

So far the boat/car guy wants 450 to totally recarpet the interior, including the strut towers which I am thinking of doing something else to. Now this is jute backing with the heavy stitched edges as well as the cutouts for the luggage strap in the back (which I have to find but am not sure if its all that necessary. Now I see a new post that has the carpet for less than 150 which is a major difference. While I plan on driving my Z to and from work and on weekends I on the one hand dont want something in it that is going to have to be replaced too soon, nor to I want to spend a fortune either, but I also dont want to short change the carpet...ah decisions decisions decisions....Thanks for all the input regarding the carpet selections.

77 Z

[oldroaddog]

From post #16...

"I checked out ACC as well. They have a good carpet for about $254.00. Also checked out ClassicDatsun which, if I read him correct, can supply like stock carpets. He was surprised that I wanted loop because his impression was that cut pile was original carpet. He just had another customer ask for loop yesterday. I will be returning my MSA carpets."

There was no response as far as what is OEM carpet ie. loop or cut pile. I like the durability of loop but I am a little concerned if that will score against my car in shows. Was it an OEM option?

[TBK1]

77Z i have a set from my 77 that arent going back in!