Finally getting around to the point a carpet can soon be installed in the 65 Laurentian.
Any tips for a successful job? It's a 4 speed floor shift, so I figure I get one chance to cut the opening just right. It's an ACC through NOS Reproductions.
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65 Laurentian post, 67 Grande Parisienne 4 door HT.
No tips other than to say be extra careful around the shifter cut out. I messed up a little when doing mine and had to "patch" in a piece of leftover carpet where I miscalculated the opening. Maybe use a test piece of old carpet or blanket, etc to make a template ?
I got the shifter opening done no problem, but I made 2 other mistakes:
- the passenger side by the kick panel was a bit too short. It's supposed to tuck under the kick panel, but I made it about even. Being a black carpet I just added another piece.
- I got a little ambitious cutting around the forward seat mount bolts. The carpet is supposed to cover the bracket and bolts, but mine are exposed.
hi Mark; go to the NOS Reproductions site and click on 'Videos" and there are several videos on molded carpet installation. Although your car is not shown, the suggested tips are the same for most vehicles. Also find some printed tips.
On the 65-66 bench seat cars, is the carpet cut at each seat track base to flip back down and cover the bolts/bases? Or does the track base sit right on top of the carpet?
The shifter base will sure be tricky. I have a nova 4 speed bench carpet trim ring that the carpet fits into, I'm planning on setting this on TOP of the boot ring and boot base. Will it need to be glued down at the ring underside? There would be no other way to secure it
I had the carpet out in the sun today, it actually started settling down a bit after being in the box for at least a few years, and I'm very happy with the colour. And it's nice it has some sections of thick jute attached, which I didn't know it would come with.
On the 65-66 bench seat cars, is the carpet cut at each seat track base to flip back down and cover the bolts/bases? Or does the track base sit right on top of the carpet?
The shifter base will sure be tricky. I have a nova 4 speed bench carpet trim ring that the carpet fits into, I'm planning on setting this on TOP of the boot ring and boot base. Will it need to be glued down at the ring underside? There would be no other way to secure it
I had the carpet out in the sun today, it actually started settling down a bit after being in the box for at least a few years, and I'm very happy with the colour. And it's nice it has some sections of thick jute attached, which I didn't know it would come with.
Been there, done that exact job.
---Measure, measure, measure and when you're sure it's right, measure again.
---I just away the jute where the Nova carpet trim ring is installed. That way I could tuck the carpet in there between the top and bottom lips on the ring.
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1966 Strato Chief 2 door, 427 4 speed, 45,000 original miles
1966 Grande Parisienne, 396 1 of 23 factory air cars
This is my right front pedestal on the original 66 carpet. I know the pictures aren't great. Would you like me to take the car out in the sun and do more pics, or maybe a short video?
Thanks Guys. So it looks like the carpet covers the outboard bolts, and the inside foot of the pedestal has no carpet around and to the inside of it? Hmm.
Yes, if you can get more detail Carl that would be great.
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65 Laurentian post, 67 Grande Parisienne 4 door HT.
I can do that but it will likely only be tomorrow. Off to work in a couple of hours and a few things to do before that. I hope tomorrow isn't too late.
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1966 Strato Chief 2 door, 427 4 speed, 45,000 original miles
1966 Grande Parisienne, 396 1 of 23 factory air cars
Well, it might as well be a carpet post of some kind I guess.
I'm still working on applying the sound deadener, I'll then add a layer of B cool insulation on top, somehow. The trunk opening brace will also need some panels cut to fit in those openings.
I could roll up the carpet again in the meantime, but I might as well just put it in the car for the night. Even placing it in and adjusting it makes it look nice.
Don't cut the Bcool to fit the trunk divider. Just use one piece all the way across, it's hidden behind the seat. You could glue a piece of Heavy craft paper on the trunk side and spray it with Krylon semi gloss.
Put sound deadner down first, then cut the Bcool so the seam is under the front seat. Chase all the seat belt holes with a tap first, then when you install the Bcool over the holes, take a long punch and go thru the Bcool. Take and circle each hole with a black marker.....Don't run the deadner or Bcool over the sill plates, trim it back so sill plate will sit down proper.
The rear foot wells are a bitch to get the Bcool to fit flush. Lay it down as tight as you can then take razor and split it at the edge of the tranny tunnel and the face of the foot well. Then take and cut "pie" shape pieces, SMALL, till you can get it lie nice and flush. Save the pieces for "filler", mistakes.
Then take it up and spray it with 3M upholstery glue and place it... Oh, don't go to tight to the accel pedal prongs, leave a oval moon for your heel to sit down in. Otherwise the prongs are too short
Be careful when you THINK you are finished. Leave it FAT, at the edges, especially around the door sills and the rear 1/4 panel area at the back of the door sill. Because the 1/4 panel trim should sit down on top of the rug. But what will happen is when you put the seat back in and sit in the seat and put your feet on the floor. The weight will drag the rug down in the foot well and leave the metal floor showing around that edge......Ask me how I know this??
I've followed all your advising's. Got the back section in so far. Yep, kept it fat. The rear side panels and seats are in now. Really nice looking.
So as far as the the belt bolts... Internet idea. Awl pushed through to locate the bolt hole. Then a nail pushed in through the rug and into the hole. Torch up a 14mm punch red and push it through the carpet and jute centered over the nail.
Perfect cut, carpet and jute, cut and sealed. And the 14mm melted hole allows some rug adjustment if required. 100% a great idea, except you just ruined (softened) your Princess Auto punch.
Got her all done and buttoned back up. I just mounted the pedestals right on the rug. I'm no going to lie, that was a big job. But the end result is worth it. Some bagginess around the top of the tunnel, but I'm not concerned.
Test drive, carpet and insulation makes a huge difference in the feel of the car. Along with the restored panels, I just love it and can't keep from looking at it.
Looks like a professional job, these details make a big difference.
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63 Parisienne sport coupe (The Big GTO), black, maroon interior, 409 4 speed; former owner of a 59 El Camino, 63 Corvette SWC, 62 Chev Bel Air SC. 1963- Pontiac top selling car in Canada
Mahone Bay, NS Still not old enough to need an automatic
To finish it off, I painted and installed the seat belt retractor covers. I know, 65 didn't have these, but they look so much better than a reel. Thanks Kevin!
