67 Interior Carpet Install

[Salvatore I.]

Basic questions re: a new carpet install....
1. What is the underlayment material that should be used for a new carpet install---Jute material or black rubber/jute materials?
2. Which will provide better sound insulation?
3. Will either help with heat insulation?
4. If heat will penetrate the interior, am I better off using another underlayment material and if so, what is it? Source supplier?
5. Should the underlayment be glued in like the carpet?

I am planning to buy the carpet sets from either Al Knoch or Long Island Corvette...any suggestions on source?

I assume that these are all pre-cut and bordered with correct materials....

Thanks for the help and advice.......

[Jack H.]

Re: 67 Interior Carpet Install

The factory original material to insulate beneath the carpet was jute. Yes, it DOES insulate. Are there better materials? Absolutely. Are they factory original/correct? No. For a good comparison and thermal analysis, see the book 'Air Conditioning Strategies' which is in the NCRS library..

Yes, heat will penetrate the interior of the car. The main sources are (1) direct radiation (through the glass), and (2) convection (road surface heat pumped up through the floor). The referenced book quantifies the contribution of the two heat sources and concludes the second source is quite significant.

I don't know where Long Island gets their carpet. It may WELL be from Al Knoch. Why not ask? There are only 3-4 unique and independent sources out there.

On assuming the carpet will be pre-cut, bordered and correct, that's a stretch... The original polymerization of nylon used in the 60's hasn't been manufactured in years! So, any replacement carpet you buy today is going to be a 'reproduction' and there WILL be differences. But, most are so modest they aren't evident to naked eye inspection.

On being pre-cut, you'll still have to trim the carpet to fit in places like along the transmission tunnel, at the front firewall, and the 'flap' area(s) supporting the seat tracks. There's no free ride here and it's still encumbent upon the restorer to execute due diligence to emulate the factory original installation of the carpet...

[Salvatore I.]

Re: 67 Interior Carpet Install

Thanks Jack for the advice and counsel....

[Stephen L.]

Re: 67 Interior Carpet Install

The original underlayment was a jute backed heavy black "rubbery" material about 3/32" thick. it is available from the various vendors.

I purchased my carpet from LIC. It came from ACC carpeting. I was not totally satisfied with the molded fit on the wheel wells and the flat area in the rear of a coupe. It seems to be too large for the wheel well resulting in wrinkles. I installed it anyway, but hope to find someone who has purchased AL KNOCH carpeting to see if the fit is any better.

The front carpeting fit nicely!

There are a few things to look at when t******* the front. As suggested the seat track flaps are cut a specific way.
INSIDE
OUTSIDE
TEMPLATE
COMPLETE

The trim along the tunnel needs close attention as to where to trim. Too much and the console chrome piece won't lay right...too little and the same piece won't cover the carpet edge.
I cut off too much around the shifter. It could be about 1/2 inch longer.

I also discovered during judging that the area around the bolts that hold the plastic console piece that go thru the metal separator between the seats and the rear compartment should be cut out in a football shape.

Let us know how the fit is, when completed.

[Salvatore I.]

Re: 67 Interior Carpet Install

Steve
Thanks for the info, especially the photos! What a help....

Will let you know how it turns out...I am thinking about ordering from Al Knoch, but will wait to see if another corvette restorer has had experience with their carpet sets....

Thanks again......

[Jon #40768]

Re: 67 Interior Carpet Install

Wonderful photos. Does the football hole have a flap? I assume that it does. Also, does the hexpolt that secures the lower end of thte vinyl covered quarter panel in a coupe pass through the carpet or is it under the carpet.
Jon

[John H.]

Re: 67 Interior Carpet Install

Jon -

No flap on the football-shaped hole, and the hex screw at the bottom of the quarter trim panel isn't visible - it's hidden under the carpet; only the phillips head trim screw pierces the carpet.