65 RIV CARPET

[BASSMAN59]

My first post here. I'm finally getting to replace the carpet in my 65 and am not really happy with anything I've seen so far. The car has the dark green carpet with green interior and I've taken a small sample from under the drivers seat for a colour / quality match. So far I've had samples from Clark's, OPGI, Trim Parts and ACC. Nothing comes even remotely close in colour to the original and only the Trim Parts sample comes close to the weight of the original 80/20. I really like the idea of the molded option. I had one supplier suggest just buy theirs and have it dyed. Surely I must be able to do better than that!  Anybody have any sources or ideas ?

[KongaMan]

That was my experience as well.  I went with Clark's, but it's not an especially accurate copy of the original color (which, in my case, was dark blue).

 

That seems to be the way it goes with a lot of this stuff (carpet, upholstery, seat belts, etc.): it may be well made and it may be nice looking, by it's not a completely faithful reproduction.  I find it helps if you set aside the desire to reproduce the original and concentrate instead on making it look good while keeping it "faithful to the spirit".  Because if you don't get hung up on duplicating every stitch or matching the color exactly, you can come up with a sharp looking interior that is awfully close.

 

My original upholstery had light blue fabric inserts.  At the time I did mine, I couldn't find that fabric anywhere for love or money -- so rather than use what I could find, I opted for dark blue vinyl.  It's not original, but it's not unattractive, as it matches the other dark blue appointments.

 

In lieu of trying to find an exact match for the original color, what you might do is find the sample which looks best with the rest of your interior.  It might be a shade off from the factory carpet, but it may look really sharp with your seats.

 

BTW, I did see a picture of a car the other day which had a new interior using the fabric I was looking for years ago.  If you really, really want a dead nuts match, it's out there.

[RivNut]

What he said.  What are the chances that you'd know the difference if you weren't holding them side by side? No one looking at the car will know the difference either.  Get as close as you can and enjoy it.

[1965rivgs]

More accurate to pull a sample from an area which has not been exposed to UV light, like under the door sill trim. What you will find is the correct original color but having said that, if you have the custom interior, you will also find the original shade no longer matches the carpeting on the lower doors, seat bases and kick panels. So, if you desire to absolutely reproduce the interior as it was as new from the factory all carpeted surfaces will need to be restored. The best company I have used for accurate shade reproduction has been ACC. They also offer molded sets and the weight of the carpet is comparable to original.

  Tom Mooney

[BASSMAN59]

Thanks for the replies - much appreciated! The car is completely original and while I enjoy the thrill of the chase I do hear what you're saying. Incidentally Clarks have agreed to stitch my supplied carpet to their seat covers if I decide to go that route and I'd do the door trims and kick boards at the same time. 

Edited November 17, 2016 by BASSMAN59
typo (see edit history)

[dr914]

When I needed a factory match molded carpet set of first my verde green 65 and then my dads original arctic white 64 I used Auto Custom Carpets, PO Box 1350, Anniston, AL 36202   The green match was perfect back then, and the carpets fit perfectly as well, and were the correct factory material (the factory material is not the best that if for sure!!!!  George Hussey