MOXIE62

I’ve read several posts here about the al knock and Romeo dash pads for the 58/62 cars. There is both good and bad feed back for both brands. I’ve installed several al knock pads and always had a lot of trimming work to do. I talked to Romeo about his pads and he said his pads fit great but the problem is you have to install them right away. If you leave them lying around for several weeks they will shrink and will not fit. Since his is half the cost of al’s pads and I’ve never installed one before I believe I will purchase one of his. I would like to have feedback on this subject if you guys are not tired talking about them.

mike coletta

WHAAAT?????? Buy an Al Knoch pad, you'll be happier.

Mike Coletta

Frankie the Fink

Agree completely. My '61 has the Romeo pad and, although it looks good installed, it was twice as much work. The total length of the pad is too short and the radius of the half-circle around the passenger-side dash insert was inaccurate. I had to compensate for both shortcomings during the install. And pls note, I installed the pad withing 72 hours of receiving it.

Several threads on this topic (some by me) are available.

AZDoug

Sounds like a lot of plasticizer (di octyl phthalate, or similar) is being used in their formulation,and as it evaps out, the pad shrinks and probably turns hard.

IMO, anyway.


Doug

GEM '62

Al Knoch used the original tooling that he bought from GM so that should get you as close to original as you can get. That being said, it doesn't mean it will install with not trimming or cussing.

MOXIE62

I've read that Corvette America has quality pads. They list for 399.00 and right now have a 12% discount sale so I'm thinking about purchasing from them. Al Knock may be the best but I've used them before and I would just like to see how another vendor's pad will work. If it does not fit I will just send it back. thanks everyone

MikeM

I have always wondered if Al's face gets a little red everytime he's sees his name spelled "Knock" instead on "Knoch"?

wmf62

can't be much more confusing than H & R Block, which is really the Bloch brothers..
Bill

Pilot Dan

Can't "Knoch" a guy for trying

Pilot Dan

I have always used "Al's" pads with great success and excellent long term results. However, I was impressed with the new Corvette America pad I saw at Carlisle. They have a soft rubber foam (like the 70's GM replacement pads used to have) and are supposed to be much easier to install without all the trimming. Anyone done a CA install?? Pilot Dan

aworks

I just installed a Corvette America pad in a 62 and it fit perfect. The last AK one I did needed alot of the foam trimed out.

That said I think the AK one looks better. The grain looks more correct than the CA one.

Steve59

I agree with FTF. I bought a Romeo pad and never got it to fit. Had to buy a Knoch pad. Ended up costing about double had I just gone with AK. Also, you don't know how long the pad is sitting on the shelf. If it shrinks up that fast, why sell a product with a known problem?

SIXTYTWO

I've installed quite a few Knoch dash pads and each one was easier than the last as far as trimming goes. If you talk to Al he will tell you that they are constantly improving them in this area. Personally I'd much rather spend a little time removing extra foam than worrying abot fit and shrinkage issues. I'd use the Al Knoch pad. Rich

Ironcross

Nope, were use to it,...

others are Knox, Knoxie, and even way back ****....

Ironcross

Romeo`s dont have any grain that is characteristic OE, and they are extremely hard to install.....