1965 Carpet Vendor Choice... Who's judges the best???

[James W.]

I'm getting ready to order carpets for my 1965 BB convertible and would like to know what others who have recently purchased carpet sets from Al Knock and ACC think about how they fit and most importantly what kind of deductions they took during judging. I read in the archives a comment from Joe Ray that says something to the affect that you will never buy aftermarket carpeting that the judges will not make comments about and take deductions for NTFP on the judging field.

I've attached the carpet samples that I received from both vendors which are sitting on the original jack board cover carpeting that came out of the car.

Any comments are greatly appreciated.


Happy New Year!

James West

[Steve B.]

Re: 1965 Carpet Vendor Choice... Who's judges the best???

I think that the cornrows on the ACC carpet looks more like the originals vs. the Al Knoch carpet. That being said, the ACC carpet is very thin and the material is not very durable. I am facing a similar decision myself as I am restoring a 67 so good luck with your decision.

[Edward J.]

Re: 1965 Carpet Vendor Choice... Who's judges the best???

Jim, Reading a post here recently about Mid America has re-vamped carpets and reflect more like the originals,( have not seen any installed) I did use ACC for my 63 and was just average in my opinion and I truly feel there needs to be a better effort in the repro carpet makers to closely resemble the factory. Just my opinion. I am not positive but I think the corn rows came in later that is how my 72 carpet is.

[Jim R.]

Re: 1965 Carpet Vendor Choice... Who's judges the best???

Jim I can only speak for the acc bright blue that I installed in a 65 with no complaints the fit was excellent and easy to install, do your homework before you make the seat cutouts and get the flaps right ,as for judging no point deductions but this was at a chapter meet.

[Michael J.]

Re: 1965 Carpet Vendor Choice... Who's judges the best???

Dale at Al's (RIP) used to be very careful to match the stitching thread binding colors and stitching pattern with the originals. That saved me points before on my '67. I guess they still can do that there, not sure if ACC asks the questions or gives you choices.

[Gary J.]

Re: 1965 Carpet Vendor Choice... Who's judges the best???

You would think after all these years of complaints about the carpet not being right someone would step up to plate and produce the correct weave even though it would cost a little moe. Same goes for convertible tops.

[Terry M.]

Re: 1965 Carpet Vendor Choice... Who's judges the best???

Jim, Reading a post here recently about Mid America has re-vamped carpets and reflect more like the originals,( have not seen any installed) I did use ACC for my 63 and was just average in my opinion and I truly feel there needs to be a better effort in the repro carpet makers to closely resemble the factory. Just my opinion. I am not positive but I think the corn rows came in later that is how my 72 carpet is.

Ed,
To get the proper cornrows one has to go to Mid America Performance Plus and the person I referred to in that thread on cornrows. If one orders from the MA catalog one will not get cornrows going the proper direction, if you get cornrows at all.

With respect to why they cannot get it right. The answer is that 90% of the carpet they sell goes to folks who don't care about corn rows, stitching or backing material. We are in the minority and there is no incentive for the supplier to alter their process or order special material (if it is even available) for the small numbers of us nuts. Sorry to be so blunt, but it is a fact of life in the restoration parts business.

[James W.]

Re: 1965 Carpet Vendor Choice... Who's judges the best???

Terry,

I received an email today from your contact (Scott) at MAP. He is sending me samples of the carpet sets that he makes. Thanks for the tip.

Happy New Year!

James West

Ed,
To get the proper cornrows one has to go to Mid America Performance Plus and the person I referred to in that thread on cornrows. If one orders from the MA catalog one will not get cornrows going the proper direction, if you get cornrows at all.

With respect to why they cannot get it right. The answer is that 90% of the carpet they sell goes to folks who don't care about corn rows, stitching or backing material. We are in the minority and there is no incentive for the supplier to alter their process or order special material (if it is even available) for the small numbers of us nuts. Sorry to be so blunt, but it is a fact of life in the restoration parts business.

[Terry M.]

Re: 1965 Carpet Vendor Choice... Who's judges the best???

Terry,

I received an email today from your contact (Scott) at MAP. He is sending me samples of the carpet sets that he makes. Thanks for the tip.

Happy New Year!

James West

Good luck Jim. I know Scott will do his best to help you -- he did for us.