'49 convertible trunk carpet replacement

[OK]

I need a new carpet for the trunk of my '49 Cadillac convertible.  Does anyone have recommendations of where I should purchase a kit for that?  The more it is pre-assembled and leaves less room for me to mess it up on installation, the better.   Thanks as always, either for responses here or as private messages.

[Jay Friedman]

Orin,

Try Jenkins Restorations in N. Carolina or SMS Upholstery in Oregon.

[49 Convertible]

SMS IN OREGON IS A GOOD BET. The material should be a grey with a dark blue thread...it is NOT TAN as in earlier thru 1947 cars.  The cardboard is also grey with a kind of mottled effect with grey vinyl binding.  The material is on the floor of the trunk as a separate piece and the hump on each side is a separate piece as is the piece that goes to the rear of the seat above the trunl floor pan.  The 4  body mounting bolts with thick flat washers (cad plated)  go thru the material with material under the washer and bolt  to be 100% correct.  The trunk lining was installed in the body BEFORE the body was mounted to the frame.

Herman

[jdemerson]

SMS IN OREGON IS A GOOD BET. The material should be a grey with a dark blue thread...it is NOT TAN as in earlier thru 1947 cars.  The cardboard is also grey with a kind of mottled effect with grey vinyl binding.  The material is on the floor of the trunk as a separate piece and the hump on each side is a separate piece as is the piece that goes to the rear of the seat above the trunl floor pan.  The 4  body mounting bolts with thick flat washers (cad plated)  go thru the material with material under the washer and bolt  to be 100% correct.  The trunk lining was installed in the body BEFORE the body was mounted to the frame.

Herman

Is it straightforward to remove the four body mounting bolts, install the material, and re-install the bolts? Any risks in doing that? I'm working on the trunk in my 1952. Thanks.

[Jay Friedman]

The 48-49 Authenticity Manual has good photos of the trunk material and the cardboard pieces in the trunk.  A new 3rd edition has just been published.  You can find details on how to buy it elsewhere on this CLC web site. 

[dan48]

Re 48-49  authenticity manual - 3rd addition. The merchandise section only shows an older edition. Know how to get the current version ?

[Jay Friedman]

Go to this web site to buy a manual.  Although the web site shows an image of the cover of the 2nd edition of the Class 13 1948-49 manual, I can assure you that the 3rd edition with a different cover is now being sold.  You can confirm this with Bill Anderson, CLC Tech Director who is in charge of sales. 

[Tito Sobrinho]

SMS IN OREGON IS A GOOD BET. The material should be a grey with a dark blue thread...it is NOT TAN as in earlier thru 1947 cars.  The cardboard is also grey with a kind of mottled effect with grey vinyl binding.  The material is on the floor of the trunk as a separate piece and the hump on each side is a separate piece as is the piece that goes to the rear of the seat above the trunl floor pan.  The 4  body mounting bolts with thick flat washers (cad plated)  go thru the material with material under the washer and bolt  to be 100% correct.  The trunk lining was installed in the body BEFORE the body was mounted to the frame.

Herman

Herman
I would like to know the trunk carpet colour in the 1948 Cadillac convertible. My 1949 has the '48 configuration where the spare tire lays flat a la Sedanette. The car have 2 strong springs to support the trunk lid when open and not the telescopic support of late '49s.
Thanks, Tito.

[P W Allen CLC# 20193]

Here's some before and after pics of my 53 using the Jenkins kit. Came out pretty good.

[49 Convertible]

The same material was used in all the 48 & 49 cars.  On the grey side with dark blue/blackish criss cross lines as stated above.  The 48-49 Authenticity Manual has a picture of the fabric.  SMS in Oregon has the material.  No sewing is involved just cut and glue.