1967 Dark Teal Blue Carpet Confusion

[Richard M.]

Please your opinions....I was just told by the original owner of this '67 Convertible that the carpet was never changed. Code 418 Dark Teal Blue.

The 5 year old Corvette America carpet from him is lighter teal, but piping matches the "original". It was in a dry area, in the box not in sunlight.

New Al Knoch teal carpet is really much closer to original shade, which is why I decided to get it, but the piping is not like the original. I got carpet sample but didn't think to ask about piping. AK piping is darker and thicker and bigger. However it's color matches the big vertical piping in the kick panel. Should it? I haven't spoken to them yet.

The question is.....is the AK piping right or wrong(color and size)? Is original piping the light teal as the original and CA pieces are, or is the AK piping right?

Even if you don't have teal blue carpet, please give me your opinions about the small piping areas on your carpeting, like around the perimeter of my pieces shown. Any photos would help me too.

Pictures(all left to right)
1- Original, Corvette America(5 yrs old), AK new.

2- AK compared to Original

3- CA compared to Original

4- CA, AK, Original

Thanks,
Rich

[Gene M.]

Re: 1967 Dark Teal Blue Carpet Confusion

I have Code 418 Dark Teal Blue in my 67 silver coupe. You will find that nobody has correct carpet and piping in teal.

I hand dye the nylon carpet to match the original. Clean the original piping and hand sew the piping thru the original holes to the dyed carpet. That is the only way I know of to get correct carpet.

But all this work is not necessary for NCRS judging as most of the judges don't know the difference.

[Richard M.]

Re: 1967 Dark Teal Blue Carpet Confusion

Gene, Thanks for the clarification. Wow, I feel what you went through. This is frustrating.

ACC doesn't have it right either. What really confused me was their "49-67 Vette Teal" sample. As seen below....it's green. I spoke with them and they sent "another" teal, closer but still lighter.

I don't know what to do now.

[Gene M.]

Re: 1967 Dark Teal Blue Carpet Confusion

Richard,

I got my carpet material from ACC. Going the sample route same as you did. I selected the lighter closer to the original sample. I found it easier to dye carpet darker rather than lighter, to match the original.

Yes, sewing in the pinch welting thru the original holes is time consuming. Jo Ann fabric store had the top thread as well as the bobbin thread (back side) . Take your time and you will be pleased with the correct look even if others don't understand the difference from the typical replacement carpeting offered.

[Richard M.]

Re: 1967 Dark Teal Blue Carpet Confusion

Thanks Gene. I think I see where I'm going with this. before I consider doing what you did, a few more questions.....

- What type of dye did you use?

- Was it a custom mix, or "off the shelf"?

- Did you dye it with the pinch welt on, or off?

- Did the dye hold up to the occasional water leaks? I have done new carpeting on C1's and C2's over the past few years and when the carpet gets wet and I pat it with a white cloth, the color comes off easily!

- Did you use a "Speedi-Stitcher", or similar like I show in the pics or just by hand? I have repaired heavy vinyl and leather before and yes it is tedious. I fixed a friends 2 original '65 seats for him last year, one of which he split the seam kneeling on it just before Flighting it. They got no deducts.

Rich

[Gene M.]

Re: 1967 Dark Teal Blue Carpet Confusion

Thanks Gene. I think I see where I'm going with this. before I consider doing what you did, a few more questions.....

- What type of dye did you use?

- Was it a custom mix, or "off the shelf"?

- Did you dye it with the pinch welt on, or off?

- Did the dye hold up to the occasional water leaks? I have done new carpeting on C1's and C2's over the past few years and when the carpet gets wet and I pat it with a white cloth, the color comes off easily!

- Did you use a "Speedi-Stitcher", or similar like I show in the pics or just by hand? I have repaired heavy vinyl and leather before and yes it is tedious. I fixed a friends 2 original '65 seats for him last year, one of which he split the seam kneeling on it just before Flighting it. They got no deducts.

Rich

This is an old post but may help others reading the current post.

1. I used blue steel rule dye diluted with alcohol. Works great on nylon.
2. You need to play with the mix to get the color correct. Rubbing in with a dap on rag I found worked best. I was lucky finding that the dye got me to the correct shade. This takes hours and hours, not a fun thing after two days.
3. The ACC pinch welt was removed and not used.
4. Stitching all done by hand thru holes in original pinch welting. Again days of work.
5. Most judges asked where I got the carpet from. I told my story. Wife verified my insanity.......