Carpet question - high beam pad
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Pro
Joined: Dec 2014
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From: Charlotte NC
Carpet question - high beam pad
Replacing the carpet in my 69 - the old carpet on driver side has the sewn in heel pad AND also have high beam switch pad. The new carpet from ACC looks great but does not have the high beam pad. So who makes correct looking carpet?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Massapequa Park NY
I think originals did not have the high beam pad at least when production began for 69. Those were added on replacement carpets. Not sure about "late" 69s. I am pretty sure the ACC is the most accurate.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Massapequa Park NY
Its kinda strange isn't it? They factory just installed the carpet right over the switch. You would think they would have made a hole for it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2009
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2024 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
After I bought the car, I looked for that switch and not seeing it there...looked everywhere else. Finally just stepped on the area and saw the high beams come on. All the cars that I remember working on and driving back in the 60s and early 70s had a visible foot-operated switch.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 23,375
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From: Virginia USA
Should have a gas pedal type plastic piece over the actual switch. The carpet goes over that. The carpet has a plastic insert sown into the carpet.
See the plastic insert on the left is where the high beam switch is:
Dimmer switch pedal:
At least it's like that on my '71
See the plastic insert on the left is where the high beam switch is:
Dimmer switch pedal:
At least it's like that on my '71
Last edited by theandies; Sep 17, 2017 at 11:17 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,103
Likes: 802
From: Massapequa Park NY
Its not like that with factory 69 carpets. In 69 its just carpet, no pad.
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Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
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From: Virginia USA
I love topics like this. You get to know small differences between the years which is one of the reason's I like this hobby so much.
Here is what it says in my 1971 Owners manual. Note the picture doesn't have the plastic pad in the carpet that I posted before. I'm wondering if that is a old picture reused from the previous year owners manuals or did the aftermarket carpet makers add that at one time? My guess it's just an old picture GM used.
It also says the RED high beam indicator light will come on in the speedo. My light is not red it's blue.
Here is what it says in my 1971 Owners manual. Note the picture doesn't have the plastic pad in the carpet that I posted before. I'm wondering if that is a old picture reused from the previous year owners manuals or did the aftermarket carpet makers add that at one time? My guess it's just an old picture GM used.
It also says the RED high beam indicator light will come on in the speedo. My light is not red it's blue.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Westminster Maryland
Hi ta,
The dimmer pad is a bit of a mystery to me.
Both the first edition 71 manual (Sept.70) and second edition manual (Feb.71) have the photo you posted… no dimmer pad.
Some few 69 cars have a pad but it's different (wider) than the pad that appeared in 71.
70 cars didn't have any pad…. except for a few? near the end of production that had them???
71 cars had pads with the IMCO logo on it….. except for maybe a few early cars that had 70 carpet in them.
72 cars had pads but not with the IMCO logo on them.
Nice!?!
Regards,
Alan
The IMCO logo on a 71 dimmer pad.
Because the pad has no 'top' or bottom', the logo is seen either in the upper left corner or lower right corner.
The dimmer pad is a bit of a mystery to me.
Both the first edition 71 manual (Sept.70) and second edition manual (Feb.71) have the photo you posted… no dimmer pad.
Some few 69 cars have a pad but it's different (wider) than the pad that appeared in 71.
70 cars didn't have any pad…. except for a few? near the end of production that had them???
71 cars had pads with the IMCO logo on it….. except for maybe a few early cars that had 70 carpet in them.
72 cars had pads but not with the IMCO logo on them.
Nice!?!
Regards,
Alan
The IMCO logo on a 71 dimmer pad.
Because the pad has no 'top' or bottom', the logo is seen either in the upper left corner or lower right corner.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 23,375
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From: Virginia USA
Alan, any thoughts on the RED or BLUE bright indicator lights. And is there anything about the dimmer pads and lights in the judging books. I don't have a matching numbers car so I have no use for a judging book. I may pick one up just to add it to my library.
I know my owners manual is original, I'll have to check when it was published.
I know my owners manual is original, I'll have to check when it was published.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Westminster Maryland
Hi 68n,
The carpet in your photo appears to be replacement carpet in the 72 configuration.
It has the dimmer pad and the 'ribs' on the heel pad end about 3/8" to 1/2" from the stitching of the pad.
The 68 carpet didn't use a dimmer pad and the 'ribs' on the heel pad end about 1/4" from the stitching of the pad.
Regards,
Alan
The carpet in your photo appears to be replacement carpet in the 72 configuration.
It has the dimmer pad and the 'ribs' on the heel pad end about 3/8" to 1/2" from the stitching of the pad.
The 68 carpet didn't use a dimmer pad and the 'ribs' on the heel pad end about 1/4" from the stitching of the pad.
Regards,
Alan
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,278
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From: Westminster Maryland
Hi ta,
"I love topics like this. You get to know small differences between the years which is one of the reason's I like this hobby so much."
The new 68-69 and 70-72 TIM&JG are filled with information, details, and color photos that you'll likely find very interesting.
It for instance indicates that 68, 69, and very early 70 cars, have the red lens, but the rest of 70-72 cars have the blue lens for the high beam indicator.
Regards,
Alan
260+ pages and more than 500 color photos!
"I love topics like this. You get to know small differences between the years which is one of the reason's I like this hobby so much."
The new 68-69 and 70-72 TIM&JG are filled with information, details, and color photos that you'll likely find very interesting.
It for instance indicates that 68, 69, and very early 70 cars, have the red lens, but the rest of 70-72 cars have the blue lens for the high beam indicator.
Regards,
Alan
260+ pages and more than 500 color photos!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 2,065
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From: Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
I have a June built '70 and it does not have the dimmer pad.
