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aquifer
Samba Member
Joined: August 30, 2021
Posts: 174
Location: Nebraska
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 Posted: Fri Sep 13, 2024 6:08 am Post subject: Carpet kit question |
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The 67 Beetle I recently bought has had a replacement carpet kit installed at some point in the past.
The car has the original tar board on the floor and the tunnel, but it’s covered with carpet pieces instead of rubber mats.
My research on the forum and google (and my memory of my first 67) indicates that the car didn’t have floor carpeting originally, just rubber mats - front and rear.
Are these assumptions correct, and if so, is a good and correct rubber floor mat replacement available?
Thanks again.
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1973 Beetle
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67conv
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Joined: July 10, 2005
Posts: 416
Location: Simi Valley, California
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| Posted: Fri Sep 13, 2024 7:19 am Post subject: Re: Carpet kit question |
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Your assumptions are correct - the '67 had a gray rubber floor mat over the tunnel and floor, front and rear.
There are "good" reproduction mats - but correct? NO! Try Wolfsburg West. They sell the closest to original as you'll find, but not all the way "there" 100%. The color and texture are somewhat off...
_________________
1967 VW Convertible, owned 35 years.
1957 DKW 3=6, owned 21 years.
PREVIOUS: 1972 "Baja Champion SE" Spec. Edition Beetle bought NEW @ Pierce VW in Denver; 1979 Super Beetle Convertible bought NEW @ Downtown LA VW; 1967 type 1 savanna beige; 1967 Porsche 2.0 911S; 1973 Porsche 2.4 911T; 1963 356 T6 B Cabriolet; 1964 356 SC sunroof coupe; 1972 Type-3 Squareback; 1968 + 1969 Type-3 Fastbacks; 1987 Vanagon GL Weekender |
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aquifer
Samba Member
Joined: August 30, 2021
Posts: 174
Location: Nebraska
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| Posted: Fri Sep 13, 2024 8:21 am Post subject: Re: Carpet kit question |
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| 67conv wrote: |
Your assumptions are correct - the '67 had a gray rubber floor mat over the tunnel and floor, front and rear.
There are "good" reproduction mats - but correct? NO! Try Wolfsburg West. They sell the closest to original as you'll find, but not all the way "there" 100%. The color and texture are somewhat off... |
OK, thank you! Do you know if all of the mats were gray in 67, regardless of the carpet & paint color, or were some of them black?
I think I will order a mat set from WW that you mentioned, and I'll remove the floor carpet pieces. For now I'll probably leave the rest of the aftermarket carpet in place, but it doesn't fit very well up front, so at some point I will have to replace it in order to sleep better. 
I would LOVE to find an original carpet set, even if it's not in great condition, but I know that's probably impossible. When the PO re-did the carpet, they left the original carpet intact behind the rear seat, and it's actually in pretty decent condition. I did ask the PO if he happened to keep the original carpet but he said no.
Here is a picture of the original carpet in the luggage area. You can see the replacement carpet on the floor and the matching kick panels.
The second picture is of a 1967 dime I found tucked in a seam of the original carpet. It probably isn't a coincidence, but I have no idea how it got there. Pretty neat though.
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1967 Beetle
1973 Beetle
1998 Jaguar XJR, restored myself, in near-immaculate condition |
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67conv
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Joined: July 10, 2005
Posts: 416
Location: Simi Valley, California
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| Posted: Fri Sep 13, 2024 8:47 am Post subject: Re: Carpet kit question |
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The mats were gray in '67. Black came much earlier, and then much later - but are an "optional" color choice when you order an aftermarket set for a '67. Sounds like you're trying your best to keep it as close to original as possible, so go with the GRAY ones.
Congratulations! You are one of the lucky few '67 owners who can still say that you have the original, intact pvc/rubberized 'faux' carpet matting in your back seat firewall area! I wouldn't touch it, except to maybe remove that piece of wood carefully, and perhaps to re-do the cloth binding at some point, if you are so inclined.
In regards to the carpet set - you will never find an original one as new - ever! But, do not despair! Wolfsburg West also sells carpet sets made from the original German square weave wool material, and bound in the correct cloth bindings. Virtually no difference from original! But be prepared to open your wallet! Those sets are not cheap! You might be able to work out a discount with them due to the fact that the sets have the rear luggage compartment included in them, which nearly doubles the amount of material needed. You are lucky in that you wouldn't need that area since you still have your original material back there!  All that you'd need would be the sills, and the kick panels..
_________________
1967 VW Convertible, owned 35 years.
1957 DKW 3=6, owned 21 years.
PREVIOUS: 1972 "Baja Champion SE" Spec. Edition Beetle bought NEW @ Pierce VW in Denver; 1979 Super Beetle Convertible bought NEW @ Downtown LA VW; 1967 type 1 savanna beige; 1967 Porsche 2.0 911S; 1973 Porsche 2.4 911T; 1963 356 T6 B Cabriolet; 1964 356 SC sunroof coupe; 1972 Type-3 Squareback; 1968 + 1969 Type-3 Fastbacks; 1987 Vanagon GL Weekender |
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67conv
Samba Member
Joined: July 10, 2005
Posts: 416
Location: Simi Valley, California
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| Posted: Fri Sep 13, 2024 8:53 am Post subject: Re: Carpet kit question |
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| 67conv wrote: |
| All that you'd need would be the sills, and the kick panels.. |
ooops....And the front firewall / pedal carpet strip which also is sewn to a portion of mat.
_________________
1967 VW Convertible, owned 35 years.
1957 DKW 3=6, owned 21 years.
PREVIOUS: 1972 "Baja Champion SE" Spec. Edition Beetle bought NEW @ Pierce VW in Denver; 1979 Super Beetle Convertible bought NEW @ Downtown LA VW; 1967 type 1 savanna beige; 1967 Porsche 2.0 911S; 1973 Porsche 2.4 911T; 1963 356 T6 B Cabriolet; 1964 356 SC sunroof coupe; 1972 Type-3 Squareback; 1968 + 1969 Type-3 Fastbacks; 1987 Vanagon GL Weekender |
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aquifer
Samba Member
Joined: August 30, 2021
Posts: 174
Location: Nebraska
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| Posted: Fri Sep 13, 2024 9:29 am Post subject: Re: Carpet kit question |
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This info is great, thank you again!
From the WW website, looking at the German square weave carpet options:
"Color choices include: oatmeal (two-tone tan and ivory), tan, grey, and charcoal."
I think that "tan" would be the only option relevant to me here. Do you think what they're calling "tan" would closely match the original carpet in my luggage compartment?
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1973 Beetle
1998 Jaguar XJR, restored myself, in near-immaculate condition |
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OldSchoolVW's 
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Joined: July 03, 2020
Posts: 1131
Location: San Diego
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| Posted: Fri Sep 13, 2024 9:37 am Post subject: Re: Carpet kit question |
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Call them and ask for a sample. They'll usually drop one in the mail to you the same day.
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Tom
"Following distance is proportional to IQ."
"If you don't do it this year, you'll be one year older when you do." Warren Miller
"But I also have to say, for the umpty-umpth time, that life isn't fair. It's just fairer than death, that's all." William Goldman
'63 Beetle Sedan
'69 Beetle Sunroof
'70 Beetle Sedan
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aquifer
Samba Member
Joined: August 30, 2021
Posts: 174
Location: Nebraska
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| Posted: Fri Sep 13, 2024 12:11 pm Post subject: Re: Carpet kit question |
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| OldSchoolVW's wrote: |
| Call them and ask for a sample. They'll usually drop one in the mail to you the same day. |
Good idea, I did this just now. I will assess the situation when it arrives.
Browsing another older but related thread, I noticed that someone said WW will stitch the front of the rubber mat to the bottom of the firewall carpet just above the pedal cluster area. That seems right to me, and would help keep the rubber from eventually falling down.
Is that a good recommendation, or does it cause other problems down the road if they are stitched together?
Thanks again everyone! Good stuff.
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1973 Beetle
1998 Jaguar XJR, restored myself, in near-immaculate condition |
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OldSchoolVW's
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Joined: July 03, 2020
Posts: 1131
Location: San Diego
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| Posted: Fri Sep 13, 2024 12:31 pm Post subject: Re: Carpet kit question |
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| aquifer wrote: |
Browsing another older but related thread, I noticed that someone said WW will stitch the front of the rubber mat to the bottom of the firewall carpet just above the pedal cluster area. That seems right to me, and would help keep the rubber from eventually falling down.
Is that a good recommendation, or does it cause other problems down the road if they are stitched together? |
Yes, have them stitch that piece on. No downside to doing that. As I recall, there will be a hole at the bottom of the rubber piece where the master cylinder pushrod would go through. Just cut a vertical slit from the bottom of the rubber to the hole and slide it over the pushrod.
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Tom
"Following distance is proportional to IQ."
"If you don't do it this year, you'll be one year older when you do." Warren Miller
"But I also have to say, for the umpty-umpth time, that life isn't fair. It's just fairer than death, that's all." William Goldman
'63 Beetle Sedan
'69 Beetle Sunroof
'70 Beetle Sedan
'73 Type 3 Fastback |
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67conv
Samba Member
Joined: July 10, 2005
Posts: 416
Location: Simi Valley, California
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| Posted: Fri Sep 13, 2024 1:34 pm Post subject: Re: Carpet kit question |
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That was how the factory did it originally back in the day - stitching that
small rubber mat to the front firewall carpet piece. Most aftermarket carpet kits just give you the carpet to put in there, without the rubber mat part. Wolfsburg West does it right, at least.
_________________
1967 VW Convertible, owned 35 years.
1957 DKW 3=6, owned 21 years.
PREVIOUS: 1972 "Baja Champion SE" Spec. Edition Beetle bought NEW @ Pierce VW in Denver; 1979 Super Beetle Convertible bought NEW @ Downtown LA VW; 1967 type 1 savanna beige; 1967 Porsche 2.0 911S; 1973 Porsche 2.4 911T; 1963 356 T6 B Cabriolet; 1964 356 SC sunroof coupe; 1972 Type-3 Squareback; 1968 + 1969 Type-3 Fastbacks; 1987 Vanagon GL Weekender |
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aquifer
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Posts: 174
Location: Nebraska
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| Posted: Wed Sep 18, 2024 9:07 am Post subject: Re: Carpet kit question |
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Does anyone know what is this and what it was used for? A tie down of some kind?
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1973 Beetle
1998 Jaguar XJR, restored myself, in near-immaculate condition |
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OldSchoolVW's
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Joined: July 03, 2020
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Location: San Diego
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| Posted: Wed Sep 18, 2024 1:08 pm Post subject: Re: Carpet kit question |
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Rear seat hold down strap attaches there.
_________________
Tom
"Following distance is proportional to IQ."
"If you don't do it this year, you'll be one year older when you do." Warren Miller
"But I also have to say, for the umpty-umpth time, that life isn't fair. It's just fairer than death, that's all." William Goldman
'63 Beetle Sedan
'69 Beetle Sunroof
'70 Beetle Sedan
'73 Type 3 Fastback |
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aquifer
Samba Member
Joined: August 30, 2021
Posts: 174
Location: Nebraska
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| Posted: Thu Sep 19, 2024 11:07 am Post subject: Re: Carpet kit question |
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The carpet swatches from WW arrived. The existing aftermarket carpet is definitely tan, but I’m pretty sure the original carpet in my first 67 was brown. The original carpet in the luggage area of this 67 is brown, but I’m not sure if there was any other color available for the luggage compartment carpet?
Anyway, here are the swatches. I believe my interior was Gazelle originally. It has an original white headliner. The paint is L518 Java Green.
Which one is closest to the original? I’m saying Brown. Thoughts?
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Current hobby vehicles:
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1973 Beetle
1998 Jaguar XJR, restored myself, in near-immaculate condition |
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OldSchoolVW's
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Location: San Diego
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| Posted: Thu Sep 19, 2024 11:39 am Post subject: Re: Carpet kit question |
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| aquifer wrote: |
The original carpet in the luggage area of this 67 is brown, but I’m not sure if there was any other color available for the luggage compartment carpet?
Which one is closest to the original? I’m saying Brown. Thoughts? |
I'm not sure any of us can make that judgement call unless we were looking at the carpet and samples in person. I'll abstain, but point out that any original anything has been exposed to ~57 years of varying degrees of light, heat, humidity, etc. that can alter the color. It's pretty much impossible to perfectly match what was original in 1967, but you can get mighty close. WW really makes an effort to be true to original appearance, so will likely be your best option.
_________________
Tom
"Following distance is proportional to IQ."
"If you don't do it this year, you'll be one year older when you do." Warren Miller
"But I also have to say, for the umpty-umpth time, that life isn't fair. It's just fairer than death, that's all." William Goldman
'63 Beetle Sedan
'69 Beetle Sunroof
'70 Beetle Sedan
'73 Type 3 Fastback |
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Jimmys 65
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Joined: October 18, 2023
Posts: 9
Location: Western PA
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| Posted: Tue Dec 03, 2024 9:25 am Post subject: Re: Carpet kit question |
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| I am a little late to the party, but I'm hoping this might be of some help. I have a 65 beetle with the original carpet up front and the original carpet matting in the rear, like yours. Judging from your picture, the matting looks identical to mine, which I would swear is a tan/brown color. However, after looking at the areas that have not been exposed for the last 60 years, it is no doubt a grey, salt and pepper color. Turns out, the original color is listed as Tin Grey, according to WW. If you are going for authenticity, I would refer to their color charts before buying anything. |
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aquifer
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Posts: 174
Location: Nebraska
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| Posted: Tue Dec 03, 2024 11:31 am Post subject: Re: Carpet kit question |
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| Jimmys 65 wrote: |
| I am a little late to the party, but I'm hoping this might be of some help. I have a 65 beetle with the original carpet up front and the original carpet matting in the rear, like yours. Judging from your picture, the matting looks identical to mine, which I would swear is a tan/brown color. However, after looking at the areas that have not been exposed for the last 60 years, it is no doubt a grey, salt and pepper color. Turns out, the original color is listed as Tin Grey, according to WW. If you are going for authenticity, I would refer to their color charts before buying anything. |
You're a little late, but it's good information anyway for someone who finds this thread down the road.
I ended up doing exactly what you mentioned. I located a relatively non-faded piece of carpet behind the rear seat, and there were pieces of the original dark brown floor mat stuck to the tar board on the drivers side too. Piecing that evidence together led me to the right place on the color charts. I learned that my color combination was originally called gazelle. I went with the darker brown German square weave carpet for the footwell and door sills. I left the original brown carpet intact behind the back seat, and the new carpet matches pretty close to the original, other than most of it is faded a little.
There was not originally carpet on the floor in my 67. The dark brown floor mat color is not available so I went with gray, but I am considering trying to dye the rubber to a dark brown color. If it looks terrible, I can always buy another gray floor mat and just leave it gray. I'm also keeping my eyes open for an original brown mat, which is highly unlikely to find, but that would be perfect.
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Current hobby vehicles:
1967 Beetle
1973 Beetle
1998 Jaguar XJR, restored myself, in near-immaculate condition |
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