1964 coupe carpet & intake manifold question

[Patrick K. Graham]

I have two questions.

1) I have a 1964 coupe with a build date of 9/16/1963. Should my car have underlayment? Per the JG the answer is no. But the AIM indicates that there was underlayment. I called Al Knoch Co. and they said yes, and it was a jute material. My car has 75,000 original miles and it currently does not have any underlaytment (just carpeting). Additionally, I recently replaced the accelerator pedal and there was no spacer under it (which I believe was aded beginning 4/8/1964 per the AIM and was used due to the additional hight of the underlayment).

2) Also, I'm having trouble finding a properly dated intake manifold # 3844459 for my 300hp car. The JG indicates 3799349 for early L75's and also the 3744459. Through prior discussions with other vette owners it was noted that NCRS pocket guide says that the 3799349 has "early, usage unverified". So my question is if I get a properly dated 3799349 would I get full judging credit for the part #? Or should I keep trying to find a properly dated 3844459? I want to do what's right as far as the proper originality of the car is concerned.
Thanks,
Patrick

[Jim W.]

Re: 1964 coupe carpet & intake manifold question

Patrick, Q#2, Not an expert here but FWIW my Nov 14, 63 built 64 conv. has what I believe to be original intake manifold casting 3844459 dated J123. I have the 3rd ed. JG, so not sure if it was changed; but I share your confusion. How can a late 63 L75 have a 3844459 and a early 64 have 3799349, then jump back to 3844459 in later 64s. Would be nice to get correct info. Jim

[Alan Drake]

Re: 1964 coupe carpet & intake manifold question

Have a Mar 64 car; does have gray foam underlayment (original stuff still in rear). It also had the spacer and its a March car!

[Patrick K. Graham]

Re: 1964 coupe carpet & intake manifold question

Alan:
Have you had your car judged such that the underlayment is deemed correct? I thought that they used a jute type material in 1965 thru 1967. Going from fram to jute seems like a step backwards.

Do we have any NCRS C-2 judeges who can chime in on the issue?

[James W.]

Re: 1964 coupe carpet question

Patrick,

I have judged 63/64 cars at NCRS chapter and regional meets, I'm only a level 3 judge but my January 1964 built Corvette convertible had the original carpet with the grey foam backing and the accelerator pedal spacer when I took it apart for restoration back in 1981. The carpet has been judged correct as far back as the 1984 NCRS National meet and other Chapter and Regional meets as recent as 2004. The judging guide says nothing about the accelerator pedal spacer and therefore in my opinion is not be a judged item.

Hope this helps.

Best Regards,

James West
Omaha, NE.

[Patrick K. Graham]

Re: 1964 coupe carpet question

The carpet you are talking about seems to be what I have purchased from Al Knoch. This new carpet set has grey foam backing attached to it. Made as part of it. I'm asking about a seperate material such as jute that might go under the foan backed carpet. The AIM on pages 089 and 090 shows "insulation" installed with cement (glue). However the JG says "There is no jute padding under any of the carpets" So my question is, what is this "insulation"? Looking at the AIM again maybe this is some sort of fiberglass material which is part of the cabin body construction. Maybe this narrows down my question. Thanks, Patrick

[James W.]

Re: 1964 coupe carpet question

Patrick,

There is no other insulation material other than what is attached to the back of the Al Knoch carpets that you purchased. It varies somewhat in appearance, but as I said in my earlier email, has been judged as acceptable per the NCRS Judging Guidelines. Please send me an email message with your preferred return email address at jwest@oppd.com. I will send you a picture of a low mileage 1963 Corvette with the original carpeting still in place that clearly shows what the original backing under the 1963 and 1964 Corvette carpet looks like. This picture is courtesy of non-other than Michael Hanson.

Best Regards,

James West