C-3 carpet

[Tom L.]

Hi there, getting ready to start planning my winter projects for my '72 coupe, auto. Seems there are 3 suppliers of carpets; ACC (Corvette america?), Romeo Engineering and Al Knoch. Price wise ACC is least expensive, Al Knock the most and Romeo in the middle.

In terms of quality, fit and overall appearance which is currently best?

In terms of judging I understand that all take a deduct in one way or another. Which would take the biggest hit? Or would the hit be about the same for each?

Thanks!

[Mark E.]

Re: C-3 carpet

I got light saddle deluxe carpet for my '70 from Al Knoch. Lessons learned-
- If a deluxe interior, also replace the carpet on the door panels using the same supplier so they match
- You get a lot more than needed, so prepare to trim a lot of excess (there's enough for the door panels)
- Weight, density of nap and texture seem close to TFP, which is to say fair.
- Lots of threads about how foot pads judge, so research that. If yours is original and in good condition, consider asking Knoch to reuse it.
- If you don't want a high-beam pad (per the JM), tell them ahead of time or else you'll probably get one
- Research how the factory cuts the carpet for the seats. Doing this incorrectly is a common mistake I see
- Understand where you want the edge of the carpet along the front of the foot-well, console sides, and the rear compartment. Looking at other cars, the factory was skimpy in places.

The color of the new carpet is significantly lighter than my old (replaced in the '90s) carpet. It's hard to say what color is correct since stuff fades over the decades.

This experience is with their cut pile carpet; their loop pile may be different. If loop, communicate with the supplier which direction you want the "corn rows".

The best thing I did was to add Dynamat heat and sound padding under the carpet (two separate products and layers). This transformed the floor from griddle-hot to pleasantly comfortable. This car is a driver, so judging impact isn't an issue.

[Don L.]

Re: C-3 carpet

Hi Tom. Hope you're well.

Mark has given some good advice. I used the (black) Knoch 80/20 loop carpet (base interior) when I re-did my '72 convertible. I researched products and installation techniques prior to diving in. I spoke to Al Knoch about his product. Came close to convincing him to re-tool his heel and dimmer pad to be more like his floor mats but he let me/us down.

Judges pay attention to several key areas:
• grain direction
• heel and dimmer pads (here's where you might want to transplant original pads)
• cut outs at forward seat track mounting
• configuration and installation at rear bulkhead, especially if a non-AC car
• length of carpet as it extends upward at front LH firewall (I added an extra piece by "splicing" some trimmed excess". Seems all vendors cut carpet short in this area)
• use of rubber plugs to secure at front LH, RH and rear (I used a soldering iron to burn holes where the plugs insert. Worked extremely well)
• overlap direction at rear waterfall (behind seats)
• Jim Anderson/Reba Whittington: what did I miss here?

When I replaced mine, I had to separate carpet from padding at wheel well areas. Otherwise, I found the fit to be pretty poor. I used adhesive sparingly.

I took several photos and can take more if it'll help. I just had the car judged at the Michigan Regional and got favorable scoring and comments from some tough judges.

If you want to discuss your project in more detail, I'd me happy to talk. PM me and I'll share my phone number.

Hope this helps...

[Reba W.]

Re: C-3 carpet

Don, you have pretty well covered the deficiencies that judges look for. I replaced ACC deluxe carpet, installed in the late 1980s, with Knoch's two summers ago. I am not pleased with the look and feel of the nap, but my car is a driver. Romeo probably has the nicest deluxe carpet, but there was quite a long wait to get it; I haven't seen any comments lately. Their heel pad loses points.

Tom, order samples from each supplier and weigh the options. If points matter, see where you will lose the fewest.

Good luck.

[Jeff P.]

Re: C-3 carpet

All,how does Romeo Engineering heel pads with imco logo score at flight judging?

[Jeffrey S.]

Re: C-3 carpet

Some years ago I bought carpet for my '69 from Romeo Engineering. It took a year and many, many phone calls but I did get it. The only problem was that they made no distinction between carpet for a standard or automatic transmission and the piece that goes on the passenger side fit terribly. It had a big lump on the transmission tunnel. Some time after I talked to Al knock and he confirmed that there is a difference and what I got was most likely for a standard. He agreed to send me a piece designed for an automatic and, since it is black, the match would be good. It was and it fir perfectly.
Jeff

[Reba W.]

Re: C-3 carpet

The IMCO logo looks nothing like the original. The point loss is usually the same for it as the heel pad without the logo.

[Tom L.]

Re: C-3 carpet

Thanks for all the input. Seems like there's not necessarily a "Best" choice. I'll have to weigh my options and choose. Thanks again!!