Vintage Mats or Replicas

[Optimistina]

My dream car is a '74 Camaro and, though I don't own one myself, I'm trying to familiarize myself with basic restoration skills. I read an article about auto restoration for muscle cars and it mentions that Camaros have parts that are fairly easy to come by. Does that extend to the floor mats and interior? Also, is it much better to seek out vintage mats when doing a restoration or do modern replicas still match up with the '70s aesthetic?

 

[Eldorado2k]

I'm not sure where you're located, but there's a place in Huntington Beach, CA called Classic Industries Showroom. They've got a huge warehouse full of brand new vintage parts and a phone book sized parts book for you to order just about anything on a car from that era. They've got several completely restored muscle cars right inside the store. Place is nice, check them out.

 

[LSNAutoDetailingLSNAutoDetailing is verified member.]

My dream car is a '74 Camaro and, though I don't own one myself, I'm trying to familiarize myself with basic restoration skills. I read an article about auto restoration for muscle cars and it mentions that Camaros have parts that are fairly easy to come by. Does that extend to the floor mats and interior? Also, is it much better to seek out vintage mats when doing a restoration or do modern replicas still match up with the '70s aesthetic?

I'm sure it matters if the car is going to get judged in car shows. I'm guessing rules of each show will apply. Shows I've been to remove points if the mat hooks on the floor are missing yet the mats are in place. They require the mats to be removed and placed in the trunk. If they're getting down to the minute details of judging, and there were specific well-known mats with a 74 Camaro, that may be judged negatively if missing.

With that said, my brother used to own a 1974 Camaro Z-28, maroon red, with big black/white decals on the hood and trunk that end-capped with "Z28". What a very cool car that was.

Good luck in your restoration and congratulations if you end up with one in your possession.

 

[BillyJack]

My dream car is a '74 Camaro and, though I don't own one myself, I'm trying to familiarize myself with basic restoration skills. I read an article about auto restoration for muscle cars and it mentions that Camaros have parts that are fairly easy to come by. Does that extend to the floor mats and interior? Also, is it much better to seek out vintage mats when doing a restoration or do modern replicas still match up with the '70s aesthetic?

The availability of parts for classic vehicles depends on the demand for same. Popular vehicles like Camaro, Mustang, 'Cuda have good aftermarket support. Floor mats are a different issue. Back then all mats were rubber, including those in the '74 Camaro I owned years ago. Reproducing a rubber mat requires expensive molds, so repro mats are rarely available. Cutting a carpet mat to a pattern is a lot easier, so they're widely available. Paul G's info is correct in that judged shows usually require floormats to be removed so they can judge the carpet fit and condition. Back in those days, floormats were an option, so they're not required, even if you're doing a "chalk mark" type perfect restoration.

Bill

 

[Optimistina]

Good to know! I'm in LA proper but that's really not a terrible drive from Huntington Beach and I'm curious enough to make a drive down there on the weekend. I'm not sure I'd be restoring for competition or show, just my own personal enjoyment but since they don't really do reproductions, it might be better for me to get my hands on some vintage mats (if I wanted the mats at all). Thanks for the info, I'm definitely seeing more possibilities now.

 

[damaged442]

There are companies that are reproducing OE style rubber floor mats. There are also carpeted ones available, should you choose to go that route. I would say that parts are readily available for most Camaros.

I wish I was as lucky with my generation of Oldsmobiles...lol.

 

[Optimistina]

There are companies that are reproducing OE style rubber floor mats. There are also carpeted ones available, should you choose to go that route. I would say that parts are readily available for most Camaros.

I wish I was as lucky with my generation of Oldsmobiles...lol.

Yeah, I was thinking Trans Am at first but I switched my head over to Camaro because of parts availability!

 

[ZimRandy]

My dream car is a '74 Camaro and, though I don't own one myself, I'm trying to familiarize myself with basic restoration skills. I read an article about auto restoration for muscle cars and it mentions that Camaros have parts that are fairly easy to come by. Does that extend to the floor mats and interior? Also, is it much better to seek out vintage mats when doing a restoration or do modern replicas still match up with the '70s aesthetic?

Do you have any affiliation to the website linked?

The post has the appearance of a way to get traffic to a website and SEO optimization with a lot of key buzzwords. You also registered on AGO the same date as the article was posted and also live in the area as the body shop in the link. If this is just coincidence and not spam, I apologize.

Good luck in your search for floor mats for a car you don't own but plan to restore some day.