Most NCRS-correct carpet for a '69?

[Paul S.]

Hi all,

I'm getting ready to put the interior back into my 1969 convertible, and it is time to purchase new black carpet. (The carpet in the car when I bought it was non-original anyways.)

Any opinions on where to get the "most correct" carpet set? According to the judging guide, my '69 should not have a rubber pad for the high-beam switch, and all of the replacement sets I can find online appear to have it. Does anyone make a carpet set for '69 without it?

I was told that a place in Romeo, Michigan makes carpet with the correct rubber heal pads, but even they appear to include the high-beam switch pad for '69... maybe I could get them to make me a set without it? Anyone have experience with them?


Thanks in advance for any help,
Paul

[Jon H.]

Re: Most NCRS-correct carpet for a '69?

Paul I have gotten mine over the years from Romeo Engineering, ACC and Al Knoch. To me Rome was the most correct and has the correct stamp on the heal pad,

[Patrick H.]

Re: Most NCRS-correct carpet for a '69?

The Romeo heel pad has the logo far too large. See other threads here.
If you have your original carpet, look into removing the heel pad and having someone stitch it onto the repro.
The bindings and stitching on repros are also usually incorrect.

Romeo also tends to make you wait for a looooooooooooong time to get the carpet.

Also, and this is in the JG, currently no one molds the carpet with the "rows" going in the correct direction for the front. You can live with this, or if you really want correct you may be able to pay extra to have a manufacturer make you a set with the correct orientation. All they have to do is rotate the carpet 90 degrees - but they then get less cuts out of a roll, so it will cost more.

For truly correct carpet, you will have to do some work.

[Paul S.]

Re: Most NCRS-correct carpet for a '69?

Thanks, guys. I don't have the original carpet from my car (it had replacement carpet when I purchased it), but I am going to try to obtain an original heel pad and go the route Patrick suggested.

Appreciate the help!

[William H.]

Re: Most NCRS-correct carpet for a '69?

I installed carpet for my 1970 made by AAC and it included the high-beam pad. I was able to remove the pad by carefully cutting the stitching (from the front of the pad) with an x-acto knife.

[Bill L.]

Re: Most NCRS-correct carpet for a '69?

The Romeo heel pad has the logo far too large. See other threads here.
If you have your original carpet, look into removing the heel pad and having someone stitch it onto the repro.
The bindings and stitching on repros are also usually incorrect.

Romeo also tends to make you wait for a looooooooooooong time to get the carpet.

Also, and this is in the JG, currently no one molds the carpet with the "rows" going in the correct direction for the front. You can live with this, or if you really want correct you may be able to pay extra to have a manufacturer make you a set with the correct orientation. All they have to do is rotate the carpet 90 degrees - but they then get less cuts out of a roll, so it will cost more.

For truly correct carpet, you will have to do some work.

FYI-Al Knock will make the carpet with the rows in the correct direction at no additional cost. Make sure they know what you want. You will still need to make adjustments regarding the shape of the carpet around the rear hinges on a convertible. I do not know about coupes. they will also sell you the binding you might need as you adjust the shape and source more correct latex backed carpet for behind the seats.

The carpet is manufactured for most of the suppliers by Dorsett if memory serves me. Also note that the carpet behind the seats was latex backed versus the mastic backing. I have found Dorsett latex backed carpet in loop configuration. The latex backing is not black as original but there are ways to make it black. It is light gray to white from Dorsett.