Greetings!

After 8 months of working on my project driver,
I finally got my 70 up and running. Horray! Man, does it run nice.
Saturday it got new shoes. It sat on 1st generation steel belted tires
which, were wearing through the tread.

This week, I unearthed the box of N.O.S. light saddle carpeting
that came with the car. Last winter, I removed this nasty custom
installed **** carpet from the late 70s which was dry rotted. After
letting the carpet rest in the sun for a few hours, I began to install it.
Only it didn't come with any instructions. There were no pre cut holes
in it.

Has anyone replaced their carpeting recently or have memory if it
needed to be cut and trimmed into place? I've only installed the
drivers side and am running into difficulty putting in the lower vent /
kick panel.

Any comments and or photos would be appreciated in addition to
photos of all locations for the various carpet sections. Also, what did
you use to adhere the back storage area? I also put down an
aluminum heat barrier between the carpet and the floor.

It is amazing how poor of condition the seat tracks and seat adjustors
were. I refurbished all and re-installed. It looks and functions so much
better now.

Thanks.

Rudy

 

When I installed the carpet in my 71 I realized how much trimming, cutting and fitting it took to get the carpet right. The 4 molded pieces have extra material around the perimeter that needs to be trimmed off gradually as you fit the carpet. All the holes for the mounting plugs needed to be punched, and the openings for the front seat track mounts needed to be located and cut.
You really need to take your time especially on the rear wheel wells which are an absolute 'BEAR' to get smooth. Remember to trim a little at a time.
The hard work and time are worth it because the new carpet makes the interior look great.
Regards,
Alan

 

I'm going to be replacing my 75' carpet in a few weeks and found some good information in Google. I entered "C3 corvette carpet installation" and there is a site "1968-1982 C3 Technical Articals" click on that sight and then Interiors and look for "installing new carpet". They include some pictures which is helpful. Hope this helps.

 

I love to see pics of before, during install, and finished stages.
Glenn

 

I will also be installing a new carpet from willcox. Hope it arrives soon!!! and thanks pete for the tip of the article!!!!

 

Of course many pics will be uploaded during the process!!!

 

Hello,

I have the front carpet installed, with the reflective heat barrier.
Now comes the real struggle - the rear carpeting. With no old carpeting
to use as a template, does anyone know or have a template of where to
cut the carpeting in the way back where the rear light goes through?
This is my biggest concern.

Thanks,

Rudy

 

I need your help.
Anyone with a 68-75 roadster.
Please post pics of the rear storage area behind the seats.
I need to see the rear where the carpeting was cut around the springs
and hinges, the sides over the wheel wells and between the front of the
rear wheel wells and the door.

Thank you very much.

Rudy

 

It's pretty easy, just take your time. Install the sides first. Use a blow dryer to heat the curves if you need to and get it snug. Trim only after you have the pieces in place. The shots attached may not give you quite enough detail, if not PM me and I'll shoot something a little closer detail. I ordered an extra 1 1/2 yards of carper when I bought my kit from Al Knock to do the speaker box.

 

Hello,

I finally got my carpeting and trim in last night,
just in time for my inaugural cruise in the car, today in the
3rd Annual 28th Street Dream Cruise in Grand Rapids,Michigan.

Here are a few photos of my carpeting.

Drivers side


Passenger side


Rear storage area I


Rear storage area II


Thank you to all for your help.

Rudy

 

Where can I get those black plastic carpet retainers?

 

You can get the retainers from most Corvette parts suppliers. They are rubber. You need three for the back, and six for the front.

cc

 

I searched for the at ecklers, paragon and Willcox, but could not find them. Are they called "retainers"?

 

"I searched for the at ecklers, paragon and Willcox, but could not find them. Are they called "retainers"?"

Anybody know a supplier, for these plastic retainers? Maybe a link?

 

Hello,

If you no longer have the original grommets and cannot find
them at a swap meet, then you go to your local auto parts store
that carries the red color blister packs that simply say "Help" on them.
In the interior trim business, they are called push pins.

Rudy.