C-1 Trunk mat

[Jerry C.]

Just picked up an original 1960 trunk mat and asking if there is a product I can use on the back of it to keep it from cracking. Would like to protect it as best as I can? Thanks in advance.

[Bob B.]

Re: C-1 Trunk mat

Jerry,

I'd just use Armor-All, but maybe someone else has a better recommendation. Original mats were apparently made of a lower quality rubber and virtually every one is brittle, cracked or both!

As for the mat being original, you did well if it really is because almost all mats I see advertised as original are actually early service replacements, which have a different rubber composition and have stayed soft and supple.

I wonder if you'd take the time to post some photos of the texture of the back, the part number, the two-digit year date, and the US (for US Royal Rubber)?

Thanks,

Bob

[Chuck W.]

Re: C-1 Trunk mat

Bob,

Here is a photo of what I believe is an original turquois 60 mat. Not sure why the last part number digit is ground off or smeared.

http://ckautollc.phanfare.com/2122456_5447050#imageID=113804285

Chuck

[Bob B.]

Re: C-1 Trunk mat

Chuck,

That is an early service replacement mat. From 1959-62, only black mats used the raised part number. All colored mats had a blank part number plate and the part number was ink-stamped on. All service replacement mats had the raised part number, so only with the black does it look the same. Regarding the missing last number on yours, it looks like someone started to remove the part number on yours to make a smooth surface for redying and putting an ink stamp on.

However, even with the raised part number, many black ones, or any color service replacement for that matter, had smooth backs or rough backs, which are dead giveaways. They should have a diamond pattern as in the attached photo. Also, original mats were made from a less stable rubber and they usually look like the other pic attached - like shattered glass. Early service replacements are a different and far better rubber formula and are supple and flexible. The one I have even smells like new rubber after decades!

Original part number plates are attached with screws the size of yours, but not larger, and anything with pins or where the plate slides in between little holders at the top and bottom are all service replacements.

I hope to prevent someone from making a costly mistake in buying a service replacement mat. I saw an "NOS" 61-62 mat on eBay recently for $650 and it was a service replacement. If folks can't tell the difference, they had clearly best not bid. In fact, I have looked on eBay for several years now and I can't recall ever seeing an original mat for sale. This is probably because any original mat someone may have is like the one in my photo and no one would bother trying to sell it.

Hope this helps!

Bob

[Chuck W.]

Re: C-1 Trunk mat

Chuck,

That is an early service replacement mat. From 1959-62, only black mats used the raised part number. All colored mats had a blank part number plate and the part number was ink-stamped on. All service replacement mats had the raised part number, so only with the black does it look the same. Regarding the missing last number on yours, it looks like someone started to remove the part number on yours to make a smooth surface for redying and putting an ink stamp on.

However, even with the raised part number, many black ones, or any color service replacement for that matter, had smooth backs or rough backs, which are dead giveaways. They should have a diamond pattern as in the attached photo. Also, original mats were made from a less stable rubber and they usually look like the other pic attached - like shattered glass. Early service replacements are a different and far better rubber formula and are supple and flexible. The one I have even smells like new rubber after decades!

Original part number plates are attached with screws the size of yours, but not larger, and anything with pins or where the plate slides in between little holders at the top and bottom are all service replacements.

I hope to prevent someone from making a costly mistake in buying a service replacement mat. I saw an "NOS" 61-62 mat on eBay recently for $650 and it was a service replacement. If folks can't tell the difference, they had clearly best not bid. In fact, I have looked on eBay for several years now and I can't recall ever seeing an original mat for sale. This is probably because any original mat someone may have is like the one in my photo and no one would bother trying to sell it.

Hope this helps!

Bob

Bob,

I was thinking that my mat was an original black mat that someone dyed turquoise and then removed the last digit of the p/n...... It is very brittle.

[Bob B.]

Re: C-1 Trunk mat

Chuck,

The part number for black is 3777513 and for turquoise it is 3777518. Both numbers are for late '60 non-power top cars when they started making two mats, one for power top and one for non-power top.

Any remnants at all of the digit where it was cut off? If it was a 3 and you have the diamond pattern as in the photo I attached, then you may have an original black one. Does yours have the diamond back? Any evidence of black very shallow under the color?

Bob

[Alexander C.]

Re: C-1 Trunk mat

I would use Eagle 1 tire gloss. It leaves much less residue and will not dry and leave a white look to the surface like AmorAll. Plus it will naturally keep the rubber soft. Odd thing, they call it tire gloss but you should NEVER use it on sidewalls as it softens the rubber, but they won't tell you that. I use it on my newer cars on ALL interior plastic surfaces. 10 years and still look like new.

[Jerry C.]

Re: C-1 Trunk mat

FYI I found a pruduct called RuGlyde at NAPA and works well on all rubber parts. Tire stores use it to mount tires.