Carpet in 1958

[tripowerguy]

I putting new carpet in the 58 and have a question. Does the front seat sit on top of the carpet or is the carpet cut to fit around the seat stands? I had it sitting on top of the carpet but before I install the new I need to make sure it is done right.:dunno Roy

[mac1]

On my 62 it sits on top of the carpet. I didn't like that look so mounted mine on the floor pan. I then made slits in the carpet and pulled it up over the seat brackets.

[boug58]

I put a factory carpet in my 58 impala from auto city classic and the carpet went around the legs of the seats.

[1958 delivery]

I put a factory carpet in my 58 impala from auto city classic and the carpet went around the legs of the seats.



But that's not an original carpet from Auto City, that was a replacement. So it takes some one with a trully untouched car to answer this question.
I think the seat sat on top of the carpet but I don't know for certain.

[tripowerguy]

Cecil you have this vast knowledge at your fingertips do you have any idea. I was going to cut around the seat stands because I think it looks better. Since it is for sale I want it to be right and not for my preference. By the way I want to thank you guys for your comments. I'm thinking that Auto City Classics would probably be right because they deal in only 58's. I ordered my carpet from Classic Industries in Cal. It should be here tomorrow. They say that they deal in restorations so my question may be answered when it gets here.:) Roy

[1958 delivery]

Cecil you have this vast knowledge at your fingertips do you have any idea. I was going to cut around the seat stands because I think it looks better. Since it is for sale I want it to be right and not for my preference. By the way I want to thank you guys for your comments. I'm thinking that Auto City Classics would probably be right because they deal in only 58's. I ordered my carpet from Classic Industries in Cal. It should be here tomorrow. They say that they deal in restorations so my question may be answered when it gets here.:) Roy



Most likely Classic Industries buys PUI carpet. It won't be cut. I don't think any aftermarket carpet is cut for the seat legs. If you're selling it, what does it matter? Do what looks best in your opinion. It's not a big deal either way. More I think about original cars I owned I don't recall the carpet being cut, but it wasn't something I studied.

[tripowerguy]

You're probably right 58 Delivery, I'm getting anal about this because I have had so many things on cars pointed out that something was not done right. On my 64 SS I had the interior done in twead although it still carried the SS theme. You would have thought I had cut the car up for scrape to hear some talk. Even though it had a 454 and was anything but stock looking. So I guess I'll put the carpet in the way I like it and let it be.:clap Roy

[oldskydog]

Roy,
I can only speak for the 55-57 but I'm sure the process would have carried through to the later models. It makes sense if you think about it. The 55-57 carpet had a slit in each side, kinda "I"shaped as I recall, to allow the carpet to fit over the mounting brackets. For safety and structural integrity of the seat it would not be desirable to bolt it through the carpet. It would be like torquing a bolt through a sponge. The mounting rails and bracket slide into the slit and the carpet is pulled back to access the mounting bolts. It then loosely covers the mounting bracket so the hardware is not so visible.
JMHO:D

[real61ss]

'The mounting rails and bracket slide into the slit and the carpet is pulled back to access the mounting bolts. It then loosely covers the mounting bracket so the hardware is not so visible. "

This is the way the '61's were done. You should not see the bolts. I believe all the "Late Great" era cars were done this way.

[de31168]

In looking in my "Pictoral history of GM 1958-1960" book, the only picture that would have any help is a side shot of one of the women sitting in the driver seat of a Impala. The rear carpet, while hard to tell, appears to be notched, and run over the rear seat track. The front section of carpet almost appears to be scrunched up infront of where the seat track mounts, as if it was not cut deep enough to wrap around the head of the track. Besides these might be pictures of early production cars that were later changed, and the early prototype models. It's hard to say what was and what wasn't done at production. I also have a 1959 hard bound dealer booklet explaining the new models and options. In both books they show the "Biscayne" script just above the side trim on the front fender, and the quarter panel totally blank. Yet I have never seen a 59' biscayne that didn't have the emblem on the quarter panel. Oh well! I agree with most everyone else, install it how you feel it looks best!