Time to order carpet
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 320
Likes: 0
Time to order carpet
It's time to order some carpet for my '76. I have been looking at two places, Al Knoch Interiors and Ecklers. There is a pretty good difference in price between Al Knoch ($178) and Ecklers (259). Is there a difference in these carpets, and what other questions do I need to be asking as I do my research. What is the difference between 80/20 and cut pile? Any suggestions/ideas would be appreciated.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
It's time to order some carpet for my '76. I have been looking at two places, Al Knoch Interiors and Ecklers. There is a pretty good difference in price between Al Knoch ($178) and Ecklers (259). Is there a difference in these carpets, and what other questions do I need to be asking as I do my research. What is the difference between 80/20 and cut pile? Any suggestions/ideas would be appreciated.
Al Knoch has great quality carpets so I would just go with the cheaper set.
The 80/20 is likely your stock carpet style, and cut pile is a much lower cut style of carpet.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 10,045
Likes: 675
From: FL
80/20 was for the cars with vinyl seats. Cut pile for the cars with deluxe interior which included wood trim panels and leather seats. Later cars all had cut pile.
As for the two sets, I got a set from Ecklers back ~1997 and it fit great. I got an Al Knoch set this year and it actually took quite a bit of trimming to fit. In fact, the backings on one piece was glued on backwards so I had to remove it and reglue it. Overall, it wasn't too bad but the quality assurance was just not there.
As for the two sets, I got a set from Ecklers back ~1997 and it fit great. I got an Al Knoch set this year and it actually took quite a bit of trimming to fit. In fact, the backings on one piece was glued on backwards so I had to remove it and reglue it. Overall, it wasn't too bad but the quality assurance was just not there.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 404
Likes: 2
From: Kingston Ontario
Personally I would avoid them if I could ,They seem to have a stuckup additude towards Canadians ,but I have bought a lot of interior parts from them including cut pile carpet .WILLCOX .They sell ACC carpet (good quality ,good fit,good to work with)
Racer
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 324
Likes: 0
From: South Elgin IL
[QUOTE=Durango_boy;1563210797]Al Knoch has great quality carpets so I would just go with the cheaper set.
I used their's as well - no complaints. I bought seats and a steering wheel as well and with the quantity, they were also more willing to deal.
I used their's as well - no complaints. I bought seats and a steering wheel as well and with the quantity, they were also more willing to deal.
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Instructor
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 188
Likes: 20
From: Victoria Texas
i got my smoke grey carpet set for my '77 at houston autorama from al knoch for about $200 i think. it looks great and fit pretty good. it was my first attempt at doing carpet work and i did it very well i might say. yes, i had to trim a few pieces but i'd rather have to trim than to not have enough. it's held up really well also. good luck....
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 320
Likes: 0
You guys have sold me on Al Knoch Interiors. I have ordered the manual telling me how to remove the interior. I'm going to get started after the first of the year. I plan on replacing some damaged interior pieces and cleaning and painting other so that everything looks as good as I can get it. Does anyone know where I can get the shifter plate trim in carbon fiber and a custom automatic shift ****. I want to trim to be Firethorn with carbon fiber trim.
Last edited by OogieBoogie; Dec 18, 2007 at 08:11 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
I would install the type carpet that came in it [if you care about originality]. If you don't care, then I'd recommend the 80/20 loop carpet. It wears better and doesn't show the dirt as soon. "Cut pile" carpet is essentially the same stuff with the tops of the loops cut off and the fibers fluffed.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,196
Likes: 47
From: Scarborough Maine Fredericksburg VA
I think you are making the right choice. I bought some stuff from Zip and the carpet was an ACC which I will not use (issues in the past - with ACC, no issues at all with ZIP). I have bought a new set and everything else for my interior from Al Knoch and it seems of very high quality and fit.
I do have a brand new black ACC carpet (70 vert) that I would sell at 1/2 the ZIP price plus shipping if anyone has an interest.
I do have a brand new black ACC carpet (70 vert) that I would sell at 1/2 the ZIP price plus shipping if anyone has an interest.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 9,127
Likes: 2,326
From: Pottsville, PA. USA Home Of America's Oldest Brewery Yuengling
I bought Al Knochs for my 75. The fit was horrible. I took them out and junked them. I replaced them with auto custom carpets and they fit perfect.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 320
Likes: 0
I finally ordered my carpet set (with padding), seat foams, and leather covers from Willcox. I'm going to start taking out the old interior out of the car and was wondering if there are any pitfalls I need to look out for. I think that removal of the seats is going to be fairly straightforward. I do need some instruction on removing the automatic shift **** (tried today, with no luck).
CF Community Team
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 9,328
Likes: 359
From: Delaware
St. Jude Donor '25
ok, hate to say this because the buisness is really "mom & pop", and slow as all hell, however, I have heard, from many NCRS judges, that Romeo Engineering makes the most "accurate" carpeting, including the "IMCO" label. his prices are very good, if he ever makes the carpet.........
