Nova Rubber Floor Mats

Hi guys...I have a plane jane '71 Nova I'm working on (it's a six cylinder car...nothing matches, nothing special). What I'm wondering about is the quality of the repro rubber or vinyl floor covering that vendors offer (Classic Industries for one has it in their catalog...this is the stuff used instead of carpet on base cars). Has anyone used it and how close to stock is it?

Thanks...

Wayne

[camarojoe]

Its rubber... aside from that, not too close. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif The repro rubber mats I have seen have a much smaller grain texture than the original mats and aren't too hard to spot as non-original.

[Schonyenko2]

They don't fit very well either. You'll need to cut to fit. S.

Thanks for the heads up folks. Guess I should have expected same.

Take care...

Wayne

[Mr70]

Will a 1972 Mat adjust well into a 1970?
I met a 55 year old man here,who drives a near Mint Base 1972 Blue 6 Cyl.Chevy Nova.He bought it brand new.He drives it only in nice weather,and has less then 15K miles on it.No Rust or rot anywhere.Still holding Original lacquer Paint.
Aunt Bee couldn't take better care of a car!

[WILMASBOYL78]

Should be OK...

wilma

[WILMASBOYL78]

Just had another idea: Forget the mat, just buy the car and put in a 502 and a lever and let's GO!!!!!

wilma http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/burnout.gif

[dbowtie]

Wow!This is just another case of the 'Net astounding me.Perhaps I should explain.I have read your name as the author of MANY magazine articles over the years.The one particular article that comes to mind is from a late 80's Car Craft Camaro special edition entitled "Skunk Works: An Inside Look At Chevrolet's Blistering COPO Camaros".This and my mid 80's version of Ed C's ZL-1 handbook (yes Ed ,I was one of the masses that sent for this after reading about ZL-1 #3 in Hot Rod circa 1983) are two of my most referred to sources regarding 9560/61's.I'm a frequent reader of this board (but alas, not too often a contributer..) and it's because of the involvement of people like the above mentioned that I consider this site an informative and entertaining source for COPO esoterica.
Thanx for reading this unintentionally long post guys.
Dean
PS: when my wife was asked what she thought COPO
was an acronym for,she responded "Cars Other People Own".Too true...Later http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[Chevy454]

I was not impressed in the least our repro mat... http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsdown.gif

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

The repro mats are incorrect and very difficult to work with. It's best to find a mat from another car, regardless of year or color. The '72 mat will work fine, a '73 or '74 mat will also work with a little adjustment.

All of the mats are actually black. So, if you find a blue or green one, buy it. When you turn it over you'll see that it's not blue or green but black, GM simply painted the topside with blue or green paint! So, clean the topside with some lacquer thinner, and spray it black. Same goes for a black mat that looks tired, just spray it with some black lacquer and it will look as new.

[Mr70]

Will a 4Dr mat,fit a 2Dr car adequately?
I forget to mention that it was a 4Dr 1972 Nova.

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

That has not been attempted, yet. It's worth a try though.

[ktownkid]

Marlin----
Can you "paint" rubber floormats too??? I have a set of black ones.......would like to paint them a tan color. Can it be done? Will they hold up to use?

I drive my car!!!!!!

Thank you-
ktownkid

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

Yes, the lacquer paint will stick to the rubber, but painting black mats 'tan' is difficult.

[Pantera]

You might try a paint like the old Mar-hyde that was used to change the color of vinyl tops. I used it all the time to change the color of replacment bucket seats to match the back seat in the used cars that I sold. You can get it in tan or just about any color you could want. It is more flexable than laquer would be. I would think laquer would crack too eash when you try to install it after painting it.

Talk to your local paint professonal and they can point you in the right direction.

Remember to wipe what ever you paint like this down twice with acetone. It will help it to stick and not peel off. I did a lot of light green buckets black and they held up for two years.

[Schonyenko2]

You may want to try a flex additive like they use on the plastic bumpers to help with the adhesion. S.

[camarojoe]

Actually, ALL of the factory rubber Nova mats started life black... if they were destined to be another color, they were "dyed" over the original black they were molded in, right from GM.

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

Joe, see above post!!

[camarojoe]

I'm an idiot.

[camarojoe]

Marlin, see above post!! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

Huh? I'm trying to figure out to fill the bumper oil on my Yenko, where are the license plate bushings? Must be next to the sky hook and the board stretcher!

[ktownkid]

Hi--
Thanks for the tips guys!!!!! I guess painting tan over black isn't such a good idea. When you have Sandalwood interior, you don't have a wide selection of parts.

I think I'll try it anyway.....
Thank you-
ktownkid