1970 Carpet Dimmer Switch Pad

[William H.]

I ordered carpet which was manufactured by ACC for my 1970. The driver side carpet came with the dimmer switch pad sewn into the carpet. The judging guide says there is no dimmer switch pads on 1970's. Should I remove the pad? Thanks for your guidance.

Bill Hyndman

[Mark E.]

Re: 1970 Carpet Dimmer Switch Pad

Been there, done that with Al Knoch carpet. Removing the pad left a noticeable defect, so I had Al Knoch replace it.

They acted like I was the first customer to raise this issue (2015).

[Don L.]

Re: 1970 Carpet Dimmer Switch Pad

FWIW and perhaps forever a Corvette mystery, I have seen one carpet set from a 1970 base coupe that had a "NTFP" dimmer pad sewn into it. I think it was cobbled from a heel pad, showing none of the detail that the commonly seen/later pads showed. Rough cut edges and no grain at all, it looked like it was cropped from the upright section of a heel pad. I suppose it's possible this carpet was replacement, however, I note that the backing was the original appearing jute backing and it definitely had the original heel pad, complete with the IMCO logo. I was convinced that it was original. See photos below.

Has anyone else ever seen anything like this?

[Reba W.]

Re: 1970 Carpet Dimmer Switch Pad

We know that a few dimmer pads appeared sporadically toward the end of 1969 production and then disappeared for 1970. There is a photo of one in the 1968-69 JG with a note that it is not like what GM added in 1971. Neither does it look like the one Don posted. Like you, Don, I feel that one has been made custom made by an owner.

When we had the shop, we restored an early 1970 that came with a dimmer pad but I don't remember what it looked like.

The 1970-72 update we are working on states that a few early 1970s have been found with a dimmer pad that has an IMCO trademark.

[Clark E.]

Re: 1970 Carpet Dimmer Switch Pad

Bill...MY 1970 roadster built March 21st did not have a dimmer pad installed on the original carpet...Clark

[Rick N.]

Re: 1970 Carpet Dimmer Switch Pad

I have a January 27 build date and original carpet didn't have a dimmer pad

[Kenneth B.]

Re: 1970 Carpet Dimmer Switch Pad

My 70 February built did not have one either.

[Terry M.]

Re: 1970 Carpet Dimmer Switch Pad

Well if we are collecting data, it would be helpful to mention the color of the interior carpet as this might make a difference.
My January 29th built bright blue interior has no dimmer switch pad.

[Kenneth B.]

Re: 1970 Carpet Dimmer Switch Pad

Mine was saddle standard interior.

[Clark E.]

Re: 1970 Carpet Dimmer Switch Pad

Carpet color is black.

[Don L.]

Re: 1970 Carpet Dimmer Switch Pad

I'm watching this thread with interest. Thanks to all for the inputs.

The dimmer pad I attached in my earlier post was made from what looked to be REAL heel pad material. Reproduction pads (both heel and dimmer) are made from a lay-up of reproduction door panel vinyl and convertible top window vinyl. I learned this from a conversation I had with Al Knoch a few years ago. I dissected a reproduction heel pad to confirm. Repro laminate is much thinner and significantly different than the thick material used in original pads. If you enlarge the photo of the blue dimmer pad, you can see that it's very thick and not a laminate. When I removed it from the carpet (several years ago now) the carpet looked fresh underneath. The threads looked to be the same as what was used on the heel pad too.

I wish I had the VIN from the car that this carpet came from. All I recall now was that it was a 1970 BB coupe. Sorry I don't have more.

[William H.]

Re: 1970 Carpet Dimmer Switch Pad

BTW, my carpet from AAC which had the dimmer switch pad attached, I was able to remove relatively easily. I cut the stitching on the front of the plastic pad and then cleaned the glue off the carpet with Simple Green.

[Kenneth B.]

Re: 1970 Carpet Dimmer Switch Pad

My 1970 454 Conv. SN 7601 with black standard origional Interior has NO dimmer pad.