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1st Generation 1964 1/2 - 1973 - Questions & general discussions that apply to a specific year => 1967 Mustang => Topic started by: Angela on May 28, 2014, 10:55:52 AM

Title: Carpet & Interior Quarter trim panels
Post by: Angela on May 28, 2014, 10:55:52 AM
The following question simply must have been covered previously, yet I cannot locate a definitive answer.

When the '67 cars were assembled on the line (SanJose), and carpets were being laid into the car, were the interior plastic/fiberglass quarter panel trim panels already in the car or were those panels installed after the carpet?

----> Specifically, was the carpet tucked underneath the leading edge of the interior quarter panels (rear seat area, adjacent to the trailing edge of the door/sill plate)? OR, did the carpet stop at the junction between the quarter panel trim and the floor pan, such that the carpeting would not slide up underneath the quarter trim panels?

Also, while I'm asking questions about carpeting, is there a poor-mans method for steaming the carpet to get it to lay properly? I bought the "good" carpet that comes somewhat pre-molded and it has been loosely laying in the car for a long time, yet I still think it needs some steam.
Title: Re: Carpet & Interior Quarter trim panels
Post by: CharlesTurner on May 28, 2014, 12:05:39 PM
I would have to say the rear quarters were not installed before carpet.

Lay the new carpet out in direct sunlight for an hour or so and then try putting it in the car.  Sometimes the padding glued to the bottom can cause the carpet to not lay in flat, so consider that a possibility also.
Title: Re: Carpet & Interior Quarter trim panels
Post by: Angela on May 28, 2014, 12:34:58 PM
Thanks Charles.
The detail that is really bugging me is whether or not the rear corners of the carpet would have rested beneath the interior quarter panels, -OR- if the carpet was cut and laid flat against the interior quarter panels. I suspect the former, given the latter would have consumed more time. I cannot find any pictures of this area, either in original or restored vehicles.
Title: Re: Carpet & Interior Quarter trim panels
Post by: drummingrocks on May 28, 2014, 12:39:35 PM
Also, while I'm asking questions about carpeting, is there a poor-mans method for steaming the carpet to get it to lay properly? I bought the "good" carpet that comes somewhat pre-molded and it has been loosely laying in the car for a long time, yet I still think it needs some steam.

I went to Target and bought a cheap (maybe $50 max) upholstery steamer.  Any big name retailer like Wal-Mart, Target, etc., probably has several of them to choose from.  These are absolutely worth their weight in gold when doing a headliner, upholstery, or carpet, and again, they're not expensive at all.
Title: Re: Carpet & Interior Quarter trim panels
Post by: CharlesTurner on May 28, 2014, 05:14:53 PM
Yes, realize what you're talking about now, there is a notch that looks like the carpet would butt up to the panel and then a screw installed.  I have only seen the carpet installed behind these panels though. 
Title: Re: Carpet & Interior Quarter trim panels
Post by: 67gta289 on May 28, 2014, 07:04:21 PM
A couple of pics from unrestored 7F02C200xxx from the Springfield show.

The first pic shows that the carpet is under the rear panel (only a small portion for the fastback near the sill plate)

The second pic shows that the carpet is under the front (kick) panels.

The third pic shows the screw through the carpet near the front of the front seat.

Hope this helps.
Title: Re: Carpet & Interior Quarter trim panels
Post by: Angela on May 28, 2014, 09:27:47 PM
Thanks a ton for the pics! To be clear, are you (and the pics you posted) indicating that the carpet should be installed underneath the quarter trim panel as shown in this pic of my present project?
And, I think (but am not sure) your text in parenthesis eludes to the fact that the carpet needs to be cut away from behind the small section of the quarter trim panel where the sill plate joins, else the sill plate won't install.... agreed?
Title: Re: Carpet & Interior Quarter trim panels
Post by: J_Speegle on May 28, 2014, 10:11:41 PM
A couple of pics from unrestored 7F02C200xxx from the Springfield show.

The first pic shows that the carpet is under the rear panel (only a small portion for the fastback near the sill plate)

The second pic shows that the carpet is under the front (kick) panels.

The third pic shows the screw through the carpet near the front of the front seat.

Hope this helps.

Those are all typical of a 67 San Jose car - Also notice (something we've been pushing for a number of years) that the quarter panel cover carpet on a fastback does not have the sewn edges like on the reproduction versions since the 80's :(

So on all body styles the carpet was installed before the quarter trim and then the sill plates were installed


Title: Re: Carpet & Interior Quarter trim panels
Post by: 67gta289 on May 29, 2014, 07:00:24 AM
Thanks a ton for the pics! To be clear, are you (and the pics you posted) indicating that the carpet should be installed underneath the quarter trim panel as shown in this pic of my present project?
And, I think (but am not sure) your text in parenthesis eludes to the fact that the carpet needs to be cut away from behind the small section of the quarter trim panel where the sill plate joins, else the sill plate won't install.... agreed?

If you look clearly at the top picture, you should notice the majority of the carpet where it intersects with the panel is actually bound.  There is a small piece that tucks up under the panel near the sill plate.

The replacement carpet (hard to call it a reproduction because they don't reproduce the detail correctly) does not have the bound edges, and thus you have an issue to deal with.

Is there a correct carpet?  Can a carpet such as yours be bound in to look correct?

If not, I would probably install as you have shown.

For the small piece glued on to the panel, as Jeff pointed out it should not be bound.

Make sense?
Title: Re: Carpet & Interior Quarter trim panels
Post by: 67gtasanjose on May 29, 2014, 08:44:03 AM
If you look clearly at the top picture, you should notice the majority of the carpet where it intersects with the panel is actually bound... Can a carpet such as yours be bound in to look correct?
Most (household) carpeting stores and car upholstery shops that do installation work have a machine that will bind your carpeting very much like the binding pictured. The household carpeting stores often do this in commercial applications for along the baseboards of the walls etc. Take some of the pictures to a few and see if any of them think they can help you out. It will surely be better, IMO, than just tucking it under the panel.
BTW, you should get all of your wrinkles worked out and the fitment everywhere else done first, (holes for seat, shifter steering column, firewall fitment, dimmer switch, holes "burned in" for seat belts or screws etc) then mark where to have it bound. You may wish to have the place doing the binding make the final cut on the carpeting. There is likely enough left over from a scrap cut to do the 1/4 trim pieces. If you have the skills, you should be able to cut those in yourself. If you are concerned, any of the carpet stores/upholstety shops would be happy to help out.

Richard
Title: Re: Carpet & Interior Quarter trim panels
Post by: GTaylor842 on May 29, 2014, 12:14:20 PM
Thank you very much for the photos showing unrestored carpet details.  I currently have the interior out of my car to do some work and cleaning and was wondering last night what the small screw hole was for just outboard of the front seat mounting holes.  The PO didn't install the screw there so I had no idea.  Now I do and will be replacing that when the carpet goes back in.
Title: Re: Carpet & Interior Quarter trim panels
Post by: Angela on May 29, 2014, 02:31:09 PM
Ahhhhh, I *think* I understand this now..... yesterday when I first looked at the pictures posted of 7F02C200xxx I thought that the bound sewn edges were that of the small section of carpet which is glued to the quarter panel trim (that which Jeff and others are stating should NOT be bound). Looking at this again today, I now think what is actually being shown is that the main floor carpet is sewn/bound and is visible at the junction of the carpet and quarter panel trim, yes?

Is it true that from one car to another, one might see a varying amount of the bound edge?....meaning that more or less of the bound edge could have become tucked up underneath the interior quarter panel trim?

FYI, my reproduction carpet DOES have the sewn, bound edge in this area. However, the small pieces of carpet which are to be glue to the quarter trim also have a bound edge, which I believe you're telling me should not be the case and I should cut that off before gluing it to the panel.

Do I have this right?
Title: Re: Carpet & Interior Quarter trim panels
Post by: 67gtasanjose on May 29, 2014, 03:29:51 PM
Do I have this right?
You might wish to take notice if the car has similar build information, but that photo shows the carpeting as I remember all the ones I have worked on.
Title: Re: Carpet & Interior Quarter trim panels
Post by: 67gta289 on May 29, 2014, 06:05:40 PM
1. I now think what is actually being shown is that the main floor carpet is sewn/bound and is visible at the junction of the carpet and quarter panel trim, yes?
2. Is it true that from one car to another, one might see a varying amount of the bound edge?....meaning that more or less of the bound edge could have become tucked up underneath the interior quarter panel trim?
3. FYI, my reproduction carpet DOES have the sewn, bound edge in this area. However, the small pieces of carpet which are to be glue to the quarter trim also have a bound edge, which I believe you're telling me should not be the case and I should cut that off before gluing it to the panel.
/quote]

1. Yes
2. I've only seen the bound edge outside, not tucked in at all.  Others may have a different experience.
3. Correct, trim the small pieces.
Title: Re: Carpet & Interior Quarter trim panels
Post by: 67gta289 on May 29, 2014, 09:19:59 PM
Ran across my repro carpet from 1982 (wish I had kept the original...) and can see that even way back then the small pieces that get glued on the rear panels for a fastback have incorrect bound edges.
Title: Re: Carpet & Interior Quarter trim panels
Post by: J_Speegle on May 29, 2014, 09:58:31 PM
Ran across my repro carpet from 1982 (wish I had kept the original...) and can see that even way back then the small pieces that get glued on the rear panels for a fastback have incorrect bound edges.

Yep and since these have been around for so long (often being mistaken for original) many have gotten use to that design and style. Good thing is that with the forums and access to the judging community most of rules reflect the detail and more owners are learning of it
Title: Re: Carpet & Interior Quarter trim panels
Post by: Angela on May 30, 2014, 12:42:54 PM
"I've only seen the bound edge outside, not tucked in at all.  Others may have a different experience."    -->Thanks for the feedback, I would expect a lot of original cars to look like what you're describing.

Here's a pic of another car owned by someone I know which shows that some of the bound edge is hidden by the interior quarter panel. I would expect that some cars left the assembly line like this, just based on tolerance, human involvement and speed of assembly. Comments?
Title: Re: Carpet & Interior Quarter trim panels
Post by: J_Speegle on May 30, 2014, 08:36:39 PM
Here's a pic of another car owned by someone I know which shows that some of the bound edge is hidden by the interior quarter panel. I would expect that some cars left the assembly line like this, just based on tolerance, human involvement and speed of assembly. Comments?

IMHO that just looks like the carpet was not pulled as far forward as other examples - looks ti me to be in the same order and the other original examples and not what was normal and expected. Would not copy it onto another car
Title: Re: Carpet & Interior Quarter trim panels
Post by: Angela on May 31, 2014, 07:53:20 PM
Thanks for the feedback Jeff. It sounds like folks are suggesting that the bound edge was always visible at the rear interior quarter panels. In my car, however, all effort to make the bound edges visible fail. I bought ACC carpet, which I was told was the most correct option yet as you can see from the photo I posted (black carpet..not the red photo) the carpet wants to lay underneath the quarter panel trim. If I pull if forward, the sewn edge doesn't follow the curve of the quarter trim.

What am I missing or doing wrong?

According to my NPD invoice, I ordered the right carpet... yet I suppose they could have sent me the wrong one.
Title: Re: Carpet & Interior Quarter trim panels
Post by: 67gtasanjose on May 31, 2014, 10:22:12 PM
I went back & forth, looking at the unrestored, back on page 1 of this thread...Maybe those are reproduction interior trims? They look a bit different, or am I seeing it wrong?
To me, it looks like no way you'll get that carpet to lay right as the unrestored picture or even the other red one shown. Maybe your best option is to have the carpet trimed in and rebound ay an upholstery shop or carpeting store.
We'll see what the others have to say...

Richard
Title: Re: Carpet & Interior Quarter trim panels
Post by: J_Speegle on May 31, 2014, 10:27:13 PM
......................
What am I missing or doing wrong?


Nothing - looks to me that we have another reproduction part that does not fit or was not made like the original- Surprise :(
Title: Re: Carpet & Interior Quarter trim panels
Post by: Angela on June 01, 2014, 03:50:00 PM
For what it's worth, I went to a shelby & mustang show today and looked at two '68's (no 67s present). The carpet in both fastbacks looked exactly like the carpet that I am trying to install... i.e. one couldn't see the bound edge at the quarter panel trim. I guess I feel better about this now, yet I still have to find a solution. I think it's true that I may have to cut the carpet and see if I can find someone to re-bind it (not even sure if that's possible).
Title: Re: Carpet & Interior Quarter trim panels
Post by: Angela on June 01, 2014, 05:10:48 PM
Before I cut my carpet and pay someone to re-bind the edges so that it fits correctly, I wish to ask if I'd be better off purchasing the mass-backed version from ACC. Can anyone with experience with ACC mass-backed carpet comment? Will it fit better and/or respond to steam-fitting better? I expect the mass-back version to weigh more than the standard-backed carpet I already bought, but I don't know how much more it weighs.

Title: Re: Carpet & Interior Quarter trim panels
Post by: J_Speegle on June 01, 2014, 05:50:13 PM
Before I cut my carpet and pay someone to re-bind the edges so that it fits correctly, I wish to ask if I'd be better off purchasing the mass-backed version from ACC. Can anyone with experience with ACC mass-backed carpet comment? Will it fit better and/or respond to steam-fitting better? I expect the mass-back version to weigh more than the standard-backed carpet I already bought, but I don't know how much more it weighs.

Have only used/installed the mass back style since it became available to compensate IMHO for the looser weave of carpet the company switched to years ago :( 

The stuff will need a bit more work since it has a thicker, less flexible base, sometimes that don't get it "flat" and there can be a build up of rubber backing that needs to be trimmed with a knife or razor - back to what should have been the original thickness of the mass back then heated a little.

As far as weight it easily weights three times more than the carpet by itself but I think that is a benefit not a negative