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Exaktaphile
Samba Member
Joined: October 01, 2010
Posts: 151
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 Posted: Sun Aug 21, 2016 10:59 pm Post subject: Re: Rubber mats |
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| When possible, I think it's worth the fuss to find accurate reproductions. It does justice to a good quality, accurate restoration. You also get the rare treat of seeing the colors/patterns/textures that the designers wanted people to see. Unfortunately, with Ghia's that translates to $$$$$. |
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Karly
Samba Member
Joined: August 01, 2002
Posts: 641
Location: Australia
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| Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2016 4:03 am Post subject: Re: Rubber mats |
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Owning a RHD car.. beetle or ghia you have very little choice.
The beetle I lucked out and bought a set of someones small reproduction run of oval mats. Not correct for my car but better than my tatty OG mats and trimmed to suit with a custom carpet kit I'm happy with them (and yes they were a couple of hundred dollars).
The ghia I ended up just with a carpet kit and my trimmer has cut me some extra pieces for the front. I may end up just doing some cheap squares of rubber for daily use.
I think its hard to get all these things at this stage = reproduction + quality + cheap. If you want quality its $$$ and there just isn't the market demand particularly if you narrow it down to lowlights/later cars.
_________________
1960 Beetle ''Heidi" daily driver
1964 Karmann Ghia project |
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John Moxon 
Samba Moderator
Joined: March 07, 2004
Posts: 13957
Location: Southampton U.K.
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| Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2016 4:56 am Post subject: Re: Rubber mats |
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I think, (still trying to get confirmation of this) there is an overlap of the later Lowlight style mats well into subsequent years which would be reproduction to aim for in the way of volume sales. It's a case for LHD cars of one size fits all, in all but minor details.
We already have a couple of "irons in the fire" for manufacturer enquiries bearing in mind this won't be a reproduction at any cost but a reproduction at the right cost. These aren't essential pieces, they're nice to have pieces.
We're looking at production costs in the US at present. When they are presented we can use them as a baseline and then investigate S.A. (thanks Chris) and China.
_________________
John.
Judson Supercharger Information on The Samba
My 1958 Shorrock Supercharged Karmann Ghia
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery! |
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djway3474
Samba Member
Joined: August 19, 2011
Posts: 2582
Location: The Real NDK So Cal
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| Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2016 7:32 pm Post subject: Re: Rubber mats |
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| What year did they add the passenger side foot rest? |
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John Moxon
Samba Moderator
Joined: March 07, 2004
Posts: 13957
Location: Southampton U.K.
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| Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2016 12:09 am Post subject: Re: Rubber mats |
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| djway3474 wrote: |
| What year did they add the passenger side foot rest? |
The foot-rest appeared Aug '59 onward so the most appropriate mats to be made first would be all those with a foot-rest as the passenger side mat is a different shape than those without the foot-rest. This is the mat set with the dimpled surround and will fit Ghias until the end of production with a small alteration to accommodate the change in pedals in the mid '60s.
That will cater for most Ghia owners...if the production proves a success, other variations are possible.
_________________
John.
Judson Supercharger Information on The Samba
My 1958 Shorrock Supercharged Karmann Ghia
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery! |
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djway3474
Samba Member
Joined: August 19, 2011
Posts: 2582
Location: The Real NDK So Cal
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| Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2016 12:40 am Post subject: Re: Rubber mats |
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| Sounds like a prudent plan |
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John Moxon
Samba Moderator
Joined: March 07, 2004
Posts: 13957
Location: Southampton U.K.
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John Moxon
Samba Moderator
Joined: March 07, 2004
Posts: 13957
Location: Southampton U.K.
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| Posted: Tue Sep 20, 2016 5:16 am Post subject: Re: Rubber mats |
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I was wandering around the dock area in Southampton on Sunday afternoon wasting an hour before the start of a football game.
I took a short cut up one of the back streets and found myself walking past "Martin's Rubber Company", a long established local company that specialises in the manufacture of all kinds of rubber mouldings, extrusions, pressings etc.
I must have looked suspicious as a chap came out and asked if he could help as I peered through the windows..."yes you can actually" He invited me into what was an "Aladdin's Cave" of rubber goods (no not that type of rubber goods). 
I laid out our requirements and inquired into the most cost effective method of production. Simple answer...pressing...mould making is hellishly expensive and unless you're selling in large numbers, a non-starter.
How would they go about producing a mat with a ribbed centre and a textured surround? Cut to shape and bonded together...a cheap and well used convention in the trade.
Sounds promising. http://www.martins-rubber.co.uk/
I think all we would need is probably paper patterns of original sets of mats and good quality photographs. A company like Martins will have the experience to tackle a simple reproduction like this.
_________________
John.
Judson Supercharger Information on The Samba
My 1958 Shorrock Supercharged Karmann Ghia
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery!
Last edited by John Moxon on Tue Sep 20, 2016 10:07 am; edited 1 time in total |
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jwold
Samba Member
Joined: September 30, 2008
Posts: 2088
Location: Portland, OR
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| Posted: Tue Sep 20, 2016 10:00 am Post subject: Re: Rubber mats |
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Any ballpark on what these mats might cost?
| John Moxon wrote: |
I think, (still trying to get confirmation of this) there is an overlap of the later Lowlight style mats well into subsequent years which would be reproduction to aim for in the way of volume sales. It's a case for LHD cars of one size fits all, in all but minor details.
We already have a couple of "irons in the fire" for manufacturer enquiries bearing in mind this won't be a reproduction at any cost but a reproduction at the right cost. These aren't essential pieces, they're nice to have pieces.
We're looking at production costs in the US at present. When they are presented we can use them as a baseline and then investigate S.A. (thanks Chris) and China. |
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John Moxon
Samba Moderator
Joined: March 07, 2004
Posts: 13957
Location: Southampton U.K.
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c21darrel
Samba Member
Joined: January 22, 2009
Posts: 8211
Location: San Dimas
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John Moxon
Samba Moderator
Joined: March 07, 2004
Posts: 13957
Location: Southampton U.K.
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Don Radomski
Samba Member
Joined: May 12, 2015
Posts: 55
Location: Edmonton, Canada
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| Posted: Tue Sep 20, 2016 3:50 pm Post subject: Re: Rubber mats |
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| Very exciting new! |
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Srecko
Samba Member
Joined: August 03, 2009
Posts: 159
Location: Adelaide - South Australia
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| Posted: Wed Sep 21, 2016 3:48 am Post subject: Re: Rubber mats |
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| Is there a possibility for any RHD mats? After a set of lower light RHD mats. |
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jwold
Samba Member
Joined: September 30, 2008
Posts: 2088
Location: Portland, OR
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| Posted: Wed Sep 21, 2016 12:51 pm Post subject: Re: Rubber mats |
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| Seems like they should be made with the pattern on both sides then you could just flip the mat over for rhd? Too simple perhaps? Wouldn't be correct? |
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otahuhu
Samba Member
Joined: July 15, 2007
Posts: 561
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| Posted: Wed Sep 21, 2016 4:22 pm Post subject: Re: Rubber mats |
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no factory rhd lowlights so I can't imagine there would be a lot of demand? but I think i recall John M mentioning that the later lowlight matt production carried on into 60+ which would mean there would be some demand for other rhd mats?
I would love to get my hands on a set of early 55- mats but Im not holding my breath and will be happy to get what ever is available thanks for taking the time to try and make this happen... |
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