Guest imported_Thriller Posted April 8, 2007 Share Posted April 8, 2007 Hi all...what is the correct configuration for a trunk mat for the '66 'Cat? Classic Buicks trunk page lists a one piece houndstooth vinyl kit as well as spare tire cover. My car had nothing in it when I purchased it, so I don't know what I need. Is what they list correct, with just a mat perhaps? None of the information I have references that.Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bhclark Posted April 15, 2007 Share Posted April 15, 2007 Derek, Attached is a photo I took of a '65 Wildcat trunk in Ocala Florida that only had 11000 miles on it. It was extremely original. The photo shows only a trunk mat, while my '65 has a replacement mat from the late 70s.(I have the receipt) but also has cardboard side and passenger panels, while this example does not.I do know that the gray houndstooth is not correct, although it is close to earlier Buicks. (like my '59) I'm not sure if SMS carries a closer match to original. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bhclark Posted April 15, 2007 Share Posted April 15, 2007 Another angle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bhclark Posted April 15, 2007 Share Posted April 15, 2007 My 70s replacement mat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imported_buick5563 Posted April 15, 2007 Share Posted April 15, 2007 Derek,I don't know the configuration for your car, but I got a couple of sets from them for my Wildcat and the 60 Electra I was working on. They fit OK. The Electra fit very close, but the Wildcat (admittedly) wasn't intended for a convertible. These kits are merely good to put SOMETHING in your trunk. It is neither correct or "great" looking, but better than a nasty, dirty trunk or bare paint for $99. Also, if your trunk leaks at all (or if you actually use your car to put luggage in) it is a great alternative rather than $150 worth of fabric, some underliner, and installation costs, whether by you or a shop.Again, if you are going for points, it's better to have the wrong fabric than nothing at all.Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest imported_Thriller Posted April 15, 2007 Share Posted April 15, 2007 Thanks for the advice guys. I'll keep looking while keeping an eye on the calendar to ensure I have something in place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted April 16, 2007 Share Posted April 16, 2007 Do you remember my trunk facelift in my convertible a couple years ago? It wasn't correct at all, but totally dressed up the trunk...and funny thing, in Plano, I don't think they docked points for incorrect trunk material <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />I'll give you the link on my Centurion site, as I can't seem to find it here:http://www.buickcenturion.com/forums/showthread.php?t=87 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest imported_Thriller Posted April 16, 2007 Share Posted April 16, 2007 Thanks Adam...that's pretty impressive. Was that something like 1/4" plywood and indoor/outdoor carpeting? Also, did you just lay the bottom in, or was that fitted to a backing as well? Just thinking through what I might be able to do...then again, if I started today, I don't know if I'd get it done before leaving for Seattle <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted April 16, 2007 Share Posted April 16, 2007 The wood is lauan, basically the cheapest thinnest plywood you can get. The carpet is also the thinnest stuff I could find at the local Home Depot. For the floor mat, I just traced the original mat out of my LeSabre and dropped it in with no backing. If I needed to remove anything, I could just take it all out without having to rip any glue off, or unscrewing anything. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imported_buick5563 Posted April 16, 2007 Share Posted April 16, 2007 Thriller,I think luan is around 11 dollars a sheet down here and I bet the carpeting is under 75. Therefore even with tax it should come out the same as the vinyl. I think Adam's trunk looks way better than mine, even if "not correct". Luan plywood is also moisture resistant since it is used as underlayment on flooring jobs, thus leaks are not as devastating as if it was trunk cardboard in there. I used luan on my door panels on both of my cars for this reason.Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bhclark Posted April 25, 2007 Share Posted April 25, 2007 Thanks for the Luan idea! I just bought a couple sheets to use for my door panels on my '40 special and the '65 spitfire.it's just about the same thickness as the original material and much more durable! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imported_buick5563 Posted April 25, 2007 Share Posted April 25, 2007 Luan holds staples better, too. Get your attaching hardware before you attach the fabric. I got just aftermarket push clips, which you attach through 1/4 " holes predrilled in the door. First attach the plywood to the door using self tapping screws. Then remove the door panel, redrill the pilot holes and they will be in the right place. It's really much easier than trying to reuse the old clips which are old and tired. Plus you don't have to make those silly triangle cutouts for the original clips.Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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