59 Trunk mat

[Pat H.]

I just purchased a new trunk mat for my 59 from one of the major suppliers at Carlisle. It looked close to what an original looks like so I bought it. When I installed it the left side, lug wrench clip is covered by the mat and I don't want to cut it as I will probably return it. I've also check 2 other C-1's at 58 and an early 60 and they are not formed on the left side like the later 60 and give you enough space to screw down the clip for the wrench. Is there any making a proper mat? Has anyone else experienced this?

[Dan B.]

Re: 59 Trunk mat

The mats did change around mid 60, but I believe that was the front of the mat as it faces the trunk partition. I always thought the clip and handle were covered by the mat. I am sure someone will chime in if this is wrong. Dan

[Joe M.]

Re: 59 Trunk mat

The mat you purchased is not made correctly. The lug wrench clip should not be covered by the trunk mat. All of the mats currently being reproduced have their flaws, but I have not seen that one.

[Dan B.]

Re: 59 Trunk mat

Just looked at mine again, which is an older AK reproduction and the jack handle clip on the right side is not covered (but the handle is) and on the left side the lug wrench clip IS covered. I noticed the clip for the lug wrench is pointing down (4 o'clock), I wonder if it may be reversed and possibly the clip would then not be covered. Which way should the lug wrench clip point where it contacts the wrench, 10 o'clock or 4 o'clock ? Thanks.

[Joe M.]

Re: 59 Trunk mat

Here is photo of Bowtie 1960 trunk with a 1958 date stamped trunk mat. Don't ask me to explain how that happened. The shape of this mat is the same as the 1959. Notice that the lug wrench clip is not covered by the mat and the position.

[Dan B.]

Re: 59 Trunk mat

Here is photo of Bowtie 1960 trunk with a 1958 date stamped trunk mat. Don't ask me to explain how that happened. The shape of this mat is the same as the 1959. Notice that the lug wrench clip is not covered by the mat and the position.

It would take some triming in the front and on the left side around the clip to get mine to look like that. Good photo Joe, thanks.

[Pat H.]

Re: 59 Trunk mat

That's what I thought. If you trim the left side to accommodate the clip, then the border will be smaller where it was trimmed. I traced it with a pencil to see what it would look like. Even a novice judge would pick that up. The re-pro that I have, which is for a late 60 has almost the correct cut on the left side. I think Al just copied the picture in the JG and assumed it right. I'm surprised that more members haven't complained. I will.

[Joe M.]

Re: 59 Trunk mat

You would probably be surprised how many members have complained to all of the vendors that make trunk mats. Since there only a couple of manufacturers, they have a captive market. They don't want to spend the money to retool. None of the repro mat vendors even try to repro the tiny raised diamond pattern on the back side or use the thin rubber like the original mats.

[Dan B.]

Re: 59 Trunk mat

I have trimmed the front part of the mat and it actually fits very nicely now. The thing that still confuses me is the jack handle clip. I studied the drawing and pictures in Noland's book (p.254 if you have a copy handy) and the inset drawing view "A" shows the clip pointing up and to the left where the handle goes. Mine was on the opposite way (I don't think it was ever off the car before) but I removed it and tried to flip it the other way and it won't work with the holes that are there. I would have to reposition it to get it to work that way. Otherwise, I can put it back the way it was and make a 1/2 or so cut in the mat around the bottom portion of the clip outline which would not be very noticeable either. Joe, it looks like the jack handle clip in your picture is the way mine is, but it disagrees with the drawing in Noland's book. Maybe the drawing is wrong? Can anyone clarify this? Thanks.

[Joe M.]

Re: 59 Trunk mat

I looked at my 1960 (different car than shown in the earlier photo) and the flat part of the tire iron hold down clip is covered by the trunk mat. Where the clip begins to curve away from the trunk floor, the clip is not covered. The orientation of my clip is the same as shown in View A. Not parallel to the long axis of the car, maybe 10 degrees to the left of center. Parts were installed backwards sometimes. The clip on the 1960 Bowtie car appears to have been installed backwards; compared to what I have seen on other original cars. The clip holds the tire iron in either orientation and the trunk map fits both ways; either over the flat part of the clip of installed as the AIM shows or under the clip and tire iron if installed 180 degrees to the AIM drawing.

[Pat H.]

Re: 59 Trunk mat

Okay, I just went out to the car and check the orientation of the clip. It appears in your picture the raised portion is toward the back of the car as mine is. I tried to turn it 180 degrees and the holes don't line up. There was no evidence of any holes being filled when the car was stripped. I measured the later mid 60's re-pro mat from the back and both sides are approx. 11". The one I just bought is 13 3/4" on both sides. Before I fill and re drill new holes can someone check out these measurements.

[Joe M.]

Re: 59 Trunk mat

Here are the measurements on my 1960. There is no sharp corner where the trunk floor intersects with the side well, but there is sort of a ridge. From the ridge to the center of the two holes is 2-3/16" and 1-1/2". The longest distance is the hole closest to the rear bumper. Attached are a couple of photos from my trunk.

[Pat H.]

Re: 59 Trunk mat

Thanks Joe
I guess, I'll have to fill and re-drill to get the clip orientated correctly. I've looked at 2 others and the clips are mount 180 degrees the other way. At least this way I won't have to cut anything to make it fit. Thanks again for your help.

[Dan B.]

Re: 59 Trunk mat

Pat, OK, after some more work I did get the clip flipped around the way it appears above and with the AK trunk mat it looks almost identical to Joe's picture and I did not have to cut the corner or re-drill the holes. You should be able to flip it around as the holes are equally spaced and must align. On mine, one screw is completely visible now and one is covered. I'll try and update this with a photo for you shortly.

[Pat H.]

Re: 59 Trunk mat

I'll get out to the garage today and rotate the clip 180 degrees. I did a quick placement and I may have to re-drill the holes. I'll let you know