Like many of you VC owners I’ve been searching off and on the past few years for carpeting for my ‘71 VC. All I’ve found offered is the front section (same as a Cutlass) and the 2nd section that is referred to the “rear” section. The VCs have 4 sections, plus the cargo floor if so optioned.

I came across a recommendation for Original Auto Interiors, sent them an email and then found out Tom Ames of OAI retired in 2018 and sold the business to SMS.
Lo and behold, I got a reply from Doug Pollock of SMS asking for pictures of the carpet sections (I had them out of the car so that was easy), and then he replied “So we should be able to supply what you need. One of our carpet guys has the full pattern. Rough pricing for all of this: $595.00.”

Although I’ve gotten fabric samples from SMS, I’ve never purchased anything. Frankly their reviews are poor in my opinion.

My questions: Has anyone done business lately with SMS and what was your opinion. Selling NOS fabric is one thing but carpeting and other in-house work has me concerned, as that’s where the poor reviews stem from. Also, has anyone gotten carpet for their VC from OAI?

The other option I see is to have a local shop do the all 4 sections, but haven't explored that yet.

Thanks

 

I have never heard anything negative about their quality of work. Different storry concerning their lead times and comunication. That price does not sound completely un-reasonable, but you can get correct 80-20 loop carpet for about $50 per yard in 40" length. Possibly less through a local upholsterer. I would check around locally for shops in your area that can do the work. Should be pretty straight forward for a shop to cut pieces to size and bind the edges. When I had mine done, I took all the metal panels in so he could make the peices to fit.




I realize you can only see 2 of the 8 carpeted sections in these photos but you get the idea.

 

I bought premade carpet for my 442, but the carpet in the front and rear sections faced in opposite directions.

So, when I needed VC carpet, I went to a local upholsterer recommended by the street rod community.

The upholsterer even carpeted under the third seat, so you couldn't see bare floor under it when the seat was in place.

As well, he sent the rear (flat) carpet sections to a local area-rug shop to have the edges serged. Serging, or overlock stitching, is narrowly-spaced thread, placed by machine, which is what the factory used.

I was very happy with how the entire job came out. And, I had a wider selection of color than the premade carpets come in.

 

Hi, i recently ordered a vinyl top from them, they forget about you after they get your money.When i placed the order they said 6-8 weeks, i called to check on the order and it goes to voicemail and they dont return calls.I finally did get my top, after reading their reviews i consider myself very lucky.

 

Thanks for the replies.
Tom, I'm going to follow your suggestion, there are a few shops around here that I will contact.
Gary, I'm happy to see you did the 3rd seat floor area in carpet as that's something I was considereing.
And yes, my car did not have the carpeted cargo floor option, but am planning to do that. I am familiar with the serging process, but nice to see others speak of it.
Karl

 

Karl, here's a picture of how he arranged the carpet under the third seat.
Gary


He also did nice work in replicating the original seat upholstery

 

Wow, that looks nice! What did he do for the carpet edges along the 2 channels for the 3rd seat runners? I don't see any serging or vinyl binding.

 

I used red vinyl over 1/8" foam in that area with 2 strips of aluminum for the plastic guides to slide on. These are the only shots I currently have of that area so it is a little hard to see.



I was still working on the interior in this shot and the carpet under the second seat was not bound yet.

 

I can't say with certainty, but here's what it appears to be...

1. The carpet is accurately cut between rows of tufts, leaving a small width of intact backing at the edge so there's no fraying of the remaining tufts.
2. The carpet is bonded to a sheet of stiff black plastic that is barely visible beyond the edge of the carpet.
3. In turn, the plastic is bonded to the floor pan metal.

 

Nice detail!