Seat covers for 1970 corvette

[Terry B.]

Can anyone recommend a good source for carpeting and leather seat covers that meet NCRS specs for my 1970 Vette?

[Reba W.]

Re: Seat covers for 1970 corvette

There are numerous threads on this topic in the archives. Leather seats have been covered (no pun) in the past couple of weeks.

[Michael D.]

Re: Seat covers for 1970 corvette

Al Knoch has a good reputation for quality components.

[Alan S.]

Re: Seat covers for 1970 corvette

Hi Terry,
The carpet that's available from the various producers varies in many ways from the original carpet sets, and from each other.
You'll want to make sure that the carpet you buy is cut and bound properly for your 70. This is especially obvious in the carpet piece for the seat bulkhead, and the piece for the rear compartment floor and rear bulkhead.
Also, you'll want to make sure the configuration of the heel pad is configured for a 70 model year car. The degree of accuracy of the reproduction pads vary from producer to producer too. These 2 pictures are of an original dimmer pad and a reproduction. I realize your 70 normally doesn't have a dimmer pad but they illustrate what the problem can be.
I hope this helps you in your decision.
Regards,
Alan

Original


Reproduction

[Dave S.]

Re: Seat covers for 1970 corvette

Hi Terry,
The carpet that's available from the various producers varies in many ways from the original carpet sets, and from each other.
You'll want to make sure that the carpet you buy is cut and bound properly for your 70. This is especially obvious in the carpet piece for the seat bulkhead, and the piece for the rear compartment floor and rear bulkhead.
Also, you'll want to make sure the configuration of the heel pad is configured for a 70 model year car. The degree of accuracy of the reproduction pads vary from producer to producer too. These 2 pictures are of an original dimmer pad and a reproduction. I realize your 70 normally doesn't have a dimmer pad but they illustrate what the problem can be.
I hope this helps you in your decision.
Regards,
Alan

Original


Reproduction

Alan,
See that nice IMCO embossment on the original.???

[Jim T.]

Re: Seat covers for 1970 corvette

My original owner 1970 with original optional carpeting did not come with a dimmer pad attached to the carpet. Built in July 1970.

[Mike F.]

Re: Seat covers for 1970 corvette

My original owner 1970 with original optional carpeting did not come with a dimmer pad attached to the carpet. Built in July 1970.

70 Vette's do not have a dimmer pad.

I ordered a carpet kit for my 70 coupe from A.K. this past November. I ordered all items over the phone, speaking to a human which I assume works in the customer support dept..

The first set of carpets I received had the wrong heel pad for a 70 coupe and included a rubber dimmer switch pad.
I called customer service and asked if I needed to be more specific than "70 coupe" when ordering carpets?
They apologized and a week later I received another drivers side carpet. This carpet had the correct heel pad, but still included the rubber dimmer switch pad.
I called customer service again and asked if I needed to use some super secret code words to get an accurate NCRS type carpet?
They apologized and a week later I received carpet #3. This had the correct heel pad, no dimmer pad, but was cut too short on the front bulkhead side. The carpet did not reach the holes for the rubber grommets that hold it in place.
Another call to customer support, another week or two later, and the fourth carpet was finally correct.

These are just my observations,
The original carpet (cut pile) for lack of a better description is cotton/wool/natural fibers on a thin easily bent to conform backing. It has no static like qualities.

The A.K. carpet is possibly nylon/polyester/non-natural fibers(?) and is very staticy. Whatever gets on it sticks. I had a difficult time using a shop vac to get it clean. Had to pick each hair/lint ball/etc. off of it by hand. The backing is also thicker and it doesn't go around corners/curves as well as the original carpet did.

If I had to do over, I would go to Carlisle/Bloomington (to compare vendor samples) or order samples from each vendor before buying a carpet kit.

Additionally while all carpet fiasco was in progress I ordered a parking brake console for the same 70 coupe. The console that arrived looked great, but was plastic covered in vinyl. Looked nice, but not accurate for a 70 (console should be plastic).
Again, a call to customer service, an apology, another week or so and a plastic console arrived. This one looked like crap, you could see the circles on top of the console from where the metal studs attached to the bottom.

Another observation, be over the top specific if you want NCRS accurate parts, otherwise you get "close". I really don't understand why these mistakes occured, when ordering for a 70, you should only get accurate 70 parts.

[Alan S.]

Re: Seat covers for 1970 corvette

Hi Dave,
Yes.... and tiny!
I'm sorry if I implied 1970 cars had the dimmer pad. I didn't mean to cause a problem.
Regards,
Alan

Original

[Dave S.]

Re: Seat covers for 1970 corvette

70 Vette's do not have a dimmer pad.

I ordered a carpet kit for my 70 coupe from A.K. this past November. I ordered all items over the phone, speaking to a human which I assume works in the customer support dept..

The first set of carpets I received had the wrong heel pad for a 70 coupe and included a rubber dimmer switch pad.
I called customer service and asked if I needed to be more specific than "70 coupe" when ordering carpets?
They apologized and a week later I received another drivers side carpet. This carpet had the correct heel pad, but still included the rubber dimmer switch pad.
I called customer service again and asked if I needed to use some super secret code words to get an accurate NCRS type carpet?
They apologized and a week later I received carpet #3. This had the correct heel pad, no dimmer pad, but was cut too short on the front bulkhead side. The carpet did not reach the holes for the rubber grommets that hold it in place.
Another call to customer support, another week or two later, and the fourth carpet was finally correct.

These are just my observations,
The original carpet (cut pile) for lack of a better description is cotton/wool/natural fibers on a thin easily bent to conform backing. It has no static like qualities.

The A.K. carpet is possibly nylon/polyester/non-natural fibers(?) and is very staticy. Whatever gets on it sticks. I had a difficult time using a shop vac to get it clean. Had to pick each hair/lint ball/etc. off of it by hand. The backing is also thicker and it doesn't go around corners/curves as well as the original carpet did.

If I had to do over, I would go to Carlisle/Bloomington (to compare vendor samples) or order samples from each vendor before buying a carpet kit.

Additionally while all carpet fiasco was in progress I ordered a parking brake console for the same 70 coupe. The console that arrived looked great, but was plastic covered in vinyl. Looked nice, but not accurate for a 70 (console should be plastic).
Again, a call to customer service, an apology, another week or so and a plastic console arrived. This one looked like crap, you could see the circles on top of the console from where the metal studs attached to the bottom.

Another observation, be over the top specific if you want NCRS accurate parts, otherwise you get "close". I really don't understand why these mistakes occured, when ordering for a 70, you should only get accurate 70 parts.

I am sorry to have caused the confusion on 70 carpet. As Jim knows I own a July 1970 car also and obviously that does not have a dimmer pad. I was just highlighting the fact that 71, 72 and maybe more have the IMCO embossment on the dimmer pads. That information will be in the new 70-72 Judging Guide when it is published hopefully in the next year or two.

[Edward J.]

Re: Seat covers for 1970 corvette

Terry, I have had good luck with Auto custom carpets, replaced my 72 and 63 there where no problems, there as close as your going to get. Al Knoch carpets I Feel have to do a little better for the NCRS judging. I Have done a few Al Knoch carpets and have had problem with there cuts a and there pads on C3 cars. for driver cars there okay. Allso I think Corvette America sells or uses Auto Custom Carpets carpets.

[Paul O.]

Re: Seat covers for 1970 corvette

Terry

I do not recall if your car still had the original carpet. If it does no matter who you chose if the heal pad condition is very good it could be transferred to the new carpet.


Paul 18046

[Dick W.]

Re: Seat covers for 1970 corvette

When we restored cars, we always used the original heel pad if possible. Everyone's carpet has problems with something. Heel pads, binding, logos, fit, material, color.

[Alan S.]

Re: Seat covers for 1970 corvette

Hi,
I transferred the heel and dimmer pads on my 71.
I couldn't find anyone who thought they could do it with a sewing machine without making at least some new needle holes in the pads. So I ended up doing it by hand, and although it takes quite a bit of time I think it's worth it.
Regards,
Alan