Original Vs New Carpet For '67 L79 Coupe?

[James B.]

I am a couple of months away from finishing the 3 1/2 year restoration on my '67 coupe. I've entered it in B Gold for judging in June (with restorations it's good to have a goal) and am looking for NCRS Chapter and Regional judging meets close to home (Chicago area) this summer.

Now I am down to carpet (Saddle). My original carpet is pretty good with 3-4 wear spots that are about 2"X2" ( and some pilling where rubber floor mats rubbed) on drivers and passengers front sections. From the seats back the carpet sections are like new. I am going to look into getting the worn areas repaired (I have a couple of small pieces of saddle carpet for patches) but I doubt I will find anyone who can do an acceptable job. If I cannot get carpets redone to the level I expect I will have to consider new (from an originality standpoint I would really like to reuse my carpet).

If it is to be new carpet I want to get the best I can in terms of fit, quality and minimal point deduction. Can anyone suggest a brand they have been happy with and did well in judging. Some things I would like to find in Repro carpet:
1. Carpet with clear filaments that give a sparkle to the carpet like original.
2. Visible corn rows oriented transverse on front sills and longitudinally on the back deck like original
3. Accelerator heel pad and right side pad that are as original.

I know it's hard but would anyone hazard a guess on point loss in judging- the condition loss for original carpet with the wear spots I have described vs the originality point loss on new carpet??

Will appreciate all help and advice, Jim

[Ara G.]

Re: Original Vs New Carpet For '67 L79 Coupe?

Jim
IMO leave the originals. The points deductions for reproduction rugs will IMO be more than the condition deduct you will get for the originals. As a Judge, I always give the benefit to an original item. The originals will have correct binding, stitching, thread, corn rows, heel pad, fit, etc.....You can't beat originals. Also, saddle is an IMPOSSIBLE to find interior color for original parts. Unless the carpet is so unsightly that YOU are bothered, the originals are the way to go....No question. Again, this is just my opinion but other judges feel the same way. Would love to see your car one day. Best regards. ARA

[James B.]

Re: Original Vs New Carpet For '67 L79 Coupe?

Ara,

Thanks, very helpful & I'll continue working on the original carpets

[Richard M.]

Re: Original Vs New Carpet For '67 L79 Coupe?

Jim, I will agree with Ara. Try to repair and clean your original the best you can.

For reference, a 1967 white saddle interior convertible with a recent restoration using a reproduction Al Knoch Saddle Carpet set received a 3 point deduction for Originality at the Winter Regional here in Florida in January. I assisted with the installation of it on a friend's car. IIRC I think he reused the original heel/side foot pads though. I think the deducts were due to absence of corn rows in the pile and maybe the bobbin stitching not being white on the backside of the bindings were the reason.

In process pics....




Recent;y he acquired a original saddle set and it is being restored to be installed for the next judged event.


For reference a few pics of a black original set(bottom) against a older repro set(top)....


Binding white bobbin thread(backside) on original set. Note the red thread on the top binding loop.


This entire original set had red thread on the top binding loop. Clearly, JP Stevens, the carpet supplier, ran out of black thread and to make production, anything was used so red must have been plentiful. Reminds me of original black seat belts in a red 62 I once owned. Anything was possible back then.

Rich

[James B.]

Re: Original Vs New Carpet For '67 L79 Coupe?

Richard,

Thanks for the detailed answer and pics. Only a 3 point deduct for Al Knock repro carpet?? I am surprised the deduct wasn't a lot more. So the owner found an NOS set of Saddle carpet, amazing.

[Joe R.]

Re: Original Vs New Carpet For '67 L79 Coupe?

Don't think he said NOS carpet anywhere! Said the original heel pad was transferred. Al Knoch is a supplier of carpet, seat covers, door panels etc.

JR

[Richard M.]

Re: Original Vs New Carpet For '67 L79 Coupe?

Richard,

Thanks for the detailed answer and pics. Only a 3 point deduct for Al Knock repro carpet?? I am surprised the deduct wasn't a lot more. So the owner found an NOS set of Saddle carpet, amazing.

Yes 3 points for the repro set, but with some items transferred from the original carpets. As JR mentioned, not NOS.

Rich

[Leif A.]

Re: Original Vs New Carpet For '67 L79 Coupe?

Don't think he said NOS carpet anywhere! Said the original heel pad was transferred. Al Knoch is a supplier of carpet, seat covers, door panels etc.

JR

JR,

Rich's first sentence after the first two pictures..."Recently he acquired a original saddle set and it is being restored to be installed for the next judged event."

[Richard M.]

Re: Original Vs New Carpet For '67 L79 Coupe?

BTW, Original door panels, dash pads, etc, etc, restored. And that carpet was the only interior deduct. Interior might be a zed next time.

[Joe R.]

Re: Original Vs New Carpet For '67 L79 Coupe?

JR,

Rich's first sentence after the first two pictures..."Recently he acquired a original saddle set and it is being restored to be installed for the next judged event."

Leif,

Original is the word Rich used. NOT NOS!

JR

[Leif A.]

Re: Original Vs New Carpet For '67 L79 Coupe?

Leif,

Original is the word Rich used. NOT NOS!

JR

OK Rich...was the "find" NOS or used orginal???

[Richard M.]

Re: Original Vs New Carpet For '67 L79 Coupe?

I guess I shoulda' said "used" original.

[Bob J.]

Re: Original Vs New Carpet For '67 L79 Coupe?

Just so everybody understands, GM never sold carpet SETS.
A person would need to order each individual piece, with its own part number, to obtain a complete carpet set.
Bob Jorjorian