Carpet 1965 coupe

[Karl K.]

I'm going to replace the carpet in my 65 coupe. I'm going to
order the carpet from Al Knoch, what is the correct material
to put under the carpet? Any tips on prepairing the surface for
the new material and installing the new carpet?
Thanks,
Karl

[Mike B.]

Re: Carpet 1965 coupe

Hi Carl,

Thr material under the carpet is "sound deadner". I replaced mine in my '65 back in the early '90s. My '66 had most of the original deadner removed and had "jute" glued to the fiberglass flooring.

The correct sound deadner is a jute type material with thick tar paper glued on top in pre-cut assembled pieces. Most aftermarket vendors supply these pieces. After removing my old carpet and sound deadner, I cleaned any loose glue/dirt then cleaned the floor using laquer thinner. After it dryed I applyed the yellow 3M adhesive to glue the deadner down (double sided, tricky). After that dryed, I used the same adhesive to glue the carpet down to the deadner.

Two tricky areas were the luggage ledge just behind the seats, and aligning the gas pedal heel pad holes up while aligning the carpet correctly. I used a steel template there and actually screwed it down in place by the 2 holes there. The ledge behind the seat, I used cut 2x3s and clamps to form the lip on top as it dried.

You didn't say whether your carpet/sound deadner was destroyed or salvagable? Mine was from years of exposure to the elements. But I took many close-up shots of my undercarpet sound deadner to aid with the proper placement of the new pieces.

Good luck. I hope this helped,
Mike

[Karl K.]

Re: Carpet 1965 coupe

Hi Mike,
Thanks for the help. I think the carpet was replaced about
15 years ago, the car hasn't been drivin much but the carpet
is ratty looking, I assumed I had to
replace everything.I pulled some carpet back his morning
it looks like regular carpet padding and also there is the tar
paper. Does the jute resemble carpet padding?
Thanks,
Karl

[Paul J.]

Re: Carpet 1965 coupe

Does the jute resemble carpet padding?
Thanks,
Karl

What kind of carpet padding? Jute is a woven plant fiber and usually coarse and brown. Carpet padding is usually compressed pieces of foam, although automotive padding can be sheet foam.

[Mike B.]

Re: Carpet 1965 coupe

Hi Karl,

Well, it sounds like you got lucky! If you see the tar paper, it's most likely original. A lot less work for you to do, unless you've got moisture/mildew problems. Probably not. When you're ready to do the job, carefully note how the carpet was laid out (digital close-ups) and separate the carpet from the deadner's tar face. Don't yank, you'll need to gently separate the carpet's glued face with a wide steel putty knife. Listen to an old albumn or two. That should do it!

I've never thrown anything away that I suspected or knew was original to my '65 or '66. Always keep the real deal as a reference. Yes, I still have my '65 original carpet wrapped in plastic somewhere. Al Knoch carpet is about as good as you'll find. I use them for all my interior pieces. As I stated before, pay close attention to the accelerator heel pad area for reassembly purposes. The heel pad "block" (resembles thick masonite) may be shot. You may need a new one. Pedal screws too. Check it out.

One last thing Karl. Since you're going to have your entire carpets out, it would be an excellent time to inspect all of your under floor clips, brackets and nutplates for corrosion. If you must change any of them, now's the time! Those big head aluminum rivets are easy enough to install, but are a two man job. While you're at it, inspect your rear seat mount "U" brackets and steel floor plates/bolts. Both of my cars needed moderate work there.

Take care and I hope this helped,
Mike '65, '66

[Mike B.]

Re: Carpet 1965 coupe

Hey Karl,

Almost forgot. There's a special cutting that you'll need to replicate when installing your new carpet. Your rear seat mount brackets and plates were installed prior to body color and should be sprayed exterior color. There are special slot shaped cuts for your seat track rails made into the carpets. The seats are then installed to the fiberglass floor pan and the carpet "flaps" are pushed over the seat track to partially cover them. There's a description of this in the '65/'66 JG.

Unfortunately, you stated that the carpet had been changed 15 years ago? Chances are, the cuts may not be correct? It would be prudent to ask a couple of your buddies to remove their '65/'66 (identical) seats so you can see an original cut. Removing seats is a snap for these two years. There are numerous prior posts for cutting this "flap". Concentrate on the '65/'66 posts. But there's nothing like a template to trace the cutout!

See you,
Mike

[Paul J.]

Re: Carpet 1965 coupe

Hey Karl,

Almost forgot. There's a special cutting that you'll need to replicate when installing your new carpet. Your rear seat mount brackets and plates were installed prior to body color and should be sprayed exterior color. There are special slot shaped cuts for your seat track rails made into the carpets. The seats are then installed to the fiberglass floor pan and the carpet "flaps" are pushed over the seat track to partially cover them. There's a description of this in the '65/'66 JG.

Unfortunately, you stated that the carpet had been changed 15 years ago? Chances are, the cuts may not be correct? It would be prudent to ask a couple of your buddies to remove their '65/'66 (identical) seats so you can see an original cut. Removing seats is a snap for these two years. There are numerous prior posts for cutting this "flap". Concentrate on the '65/'66 posts. But there's nothing like a template to trace the cutout!

See you,
Mike

Was'nt this also discussed in a past Restorer article, with pictures?