1994-96 Floor Mats

[Pat F.]

Re: 1994-96 Floor Mats

We have closed the jap to 11/94 to 3/10/95. Can anyone get in the middle?

Plus, most of the bezels were metal, anyone have a plastic one? We have a 95 Pace Care with a plastic bezel.

Thanks again for all your help.

[Pat F.]

Re: 1994-96 Floor Mats

Okay folks, I quit. I have just received two responses that stated they had a March 1995 build date and had the bezel. The earliest was March 10, 1995. However, they both responded by saying they had a plastic bezel.
I am not going to start another survey to determine when the change was made from a plastic bezel to a metal bezel. If you want to chime in, go right ahead.
I started this for a friend who was trying to get original floor mats and she has a 3/95 build date.
Thanks again for all your help.

[Darrell S.]

Re: 1994-96 Floor Mats

I have a 1995 march car it does not have the bezel. I am the second owner and the first owner swears they came with the car. These mats also do not have the channel.

[Everett P.]

Re: 1994-96 Floor Mats

Hi,

My 1995 ZR-1 was built 12/16/1994 has bezel
dont remenber if plastic or metal.
hope this helps.

[Pat F.]

Re: 1994-96 Floor Mats

Everett, is there any chance you can post photos or send them to me at fulassoc@comcast.net.

Darrell, I sent you a email. We had communicated about ECM's that we saw at Kissimmee.

Thanks to both of you gentlemen.

[Everett P.]

Re: 1994-96 Floor Mats

Here are some pics
looks like plastic to me

[Pat F.]

Re: 1994-96 Floor Mats

Everett, thanks for the photos, they are a great help in the survey. We appreciate the time and effort you gave us.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1994-96 Floor Mats

All------


There were FOUR sets of mats used over the 1990-96 period.

90-92= GM #12341xxx (last three digits depends on color)

93= GM #12343xxx

94-E95= GM #12344xxx

L95-96= GM #12362xxx

[Pat F.]

Re: 1994-96 Floor Mats

Joe, thanks so much for your information. In reviewing your information I am interested in the 94-96 Floor Mats. You provided information that there was a Floor Mat for 94-early 95. and 95 onward thru 1996.
This is exactly what I have come up with and the difference in the 94-early 95 is that they did not have a bezel in the lower left hand side to secure the Floor Mat. My survey shows that in on 12/16/1994 a ZR1 reported a bezel made of plastic. This is the first report I had of a bezel, which falls in line with your information. The remaining question is do you have any information that a plastic bezel was later changed to a metal bezel? I have many metal bezels in late 95 and 1996. I have some early bezel units with a plastic bezel.

For your general information the company that made the Floor Mats, AKRO was purchased by Collins & Aikman Accessory Mats, a subsidiary of Collins & Aikman. Collins & Aikman have about 39 subsidiary companies and the parent company entered into bankruptcy in 2005 and the case is still open.This information was obtained with the help of Tom Hendricks who provided the information on the patent number on the reverse side of the floor mats. We were able to obtain a copy of the patent AKRO had obtained concerning the floor mats and we have all the drawings.

Last piece of the puzzle-plastic or metal.

Once again, thanks Joe for this information.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1994-96 Floor Mats

Joe, thanks so much for your information. In reviewing your information I am interested in the 94-96 Floor Mats. You provided information that there was a Floor Mat for 94-early 95. and 95 onward thru 1996.
This is exactly what I have come up with and the difference in the 94-early 95 is that they did not have a bezel in the lower left hand side to secure the Floor Mat. My survey shows that in on 12/16/1994 a ZR1 reported a bezel made of plastic. This is the first report I had of a bezel, which falls in line with your information. The remaining question is do you have any information that a plastic bezel was later changed to a metal bezel? I have many metal bezels in late 95 and 1996. I have some early bezel units with a plastic bezel.

For your general information the company that made the Floor Mats, AKRO was purchased by Collins & Aikman Accessory Mats, a subsidiary of Collins & Aikman. Collins & Aikman have about 39 subsidiary companies and the parent company entered into bankruptcy in 2005 and the case is still open.This information was obtained with the help of Tom Hendricks who provided the information on the patent number on the reverse side of the floor mats. We were able to obtain a copy of the patent AKRO had obtained concerning the floor mats and we have all the drawings.

Last piece of the puzzle-plastic or metal.

Once again, thanks Joe for this information.

Charles-----

I don't have any information on the plastic-versus-metal grommets. Isn't there any information regarding that on the drawings you have? As far as the GM part numbers go, I would strongly suspect that the change from the plastic to metal grommets occurred within a part number rather than resulting in a change in part numbers.

[Pat F.]

Re: 1994-96 Floor Mats

Joe, the patent was issued October 13, 1992. The drawings show a rectangular floor mat, without any bezel. I could email you a copy of the patent for your information. Email me at fulassoc@comcast.net.
I also agree that the plastic to metal change occurred within the later part number known as the late 95 to 96.

Thanks again, as in the radiator hose survey, for your time and effort.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1994-96 Floor Mats

Joe, the patent was issued October 13, 1992. The drawings show a rectangular floor mat, without any bezel. I could email you a copy of the patent for your information. Email me at fulassoc@comcast.net.
I also agree that the plastic to metal change occurred within the later part number known as the late 95 to 96.

Thanks again, as in the radiator hose survey, for your time and effort.

Charles-----


I suspect the patent is more of a "generic" patent relating to some of the design features of the mat rather than exact configuration details. This is common for parts like these. The same patent number might be found on other floor mats manufactured by the same firm but for different model cars.

The actual drawing for the specific GM part-numbered mats might "tell-the-tale" as far as specific configuration details are concerned.

[Tom H.]

Re: 1994-96 Floor Mats

Charles-----


I suspect the patent is more of a "generic" patent relating to some of the design features of the mat rather than exact configuration details. This is common for parts like these. The same patent number might be found on other floor mats manufactured by the same firm but for different model cars.

The actual drawing for the specific GM part-numbered mats might "tell-the-tale" as far as specific configuration details are concerned.

I think I agree. I believe the patent may be the process used to put the rubber "thingies" on the back of the mat. If I know Charlie, he'll get to the bottom of it !

[Pat F.]

Re: 1994-96 Floor Mats

Tom, thanks for your confidence. I attempted to place on this forum copies of the floor mats shown in the Patent. However, they are too large for this forum.
In a nut shell under the Section - Background of the Invention, it is stated:
This invention relates to floor mats used in autos. It gives a history of how prior mats were made and there faults.
It then states : The automobile floor mat of the present invention is a pliable multilayer structure having an upper face layer and a base layer adapted to confront automobile flooring overlaid by the mat, etc, etc.
This patent apparently has nothing to do with the bezel, only the structure.
The only question left now to aid in correcting the Judging Manual which calls for a bezel for all 1995-1996 Corvettes, is when the bezel changed from plastic to metal.
The first floor mat that is in the survey that has a bezel is one that has a plastic bezel and is from 12/16/94. The last plastic bezel I have is 3/95.
If anyone else wants to chime in, please do so.
Again, thanks to everyone who participated.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1994-96 Floor Mats

All-----


Well, I dug out a couple of sets of NOS mats from "the tomb". These are GM #12362168, the L95-96 mats. I don't know when these were actually manufactured but my guess would be after 1996. These both have the high impact plastic grommets as can be seen in the photos.