I think I might have solved the "cut-pile" or "80/20 loop" carpet mystery

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TylerW

TylerW

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So, I've seen this topic come up from time to time regarding which A-bodies got which type of carpet, why and when. Some people attribute it to where the car was built, a year time-frame, the alignment of the stars...whatever.

I'm happy to share that after researching 100's of Plymouth Valiants and tracking down Chrysler Corp. carpet installers who were there and were willing to share their secrets for a small financial donation, I've learned the answer to the Great Mopar Carpet Mystery. Actually, I did none of that and I still can't guarantee the answer, but I think my hypothesis is fairly sound.

In my garage is a very original 1972 Valiant sedan with a lot of option packages. Mopar offered the Light package, exterior decor package, interior decor package, and then usually there was a "master package" which had all of those coded under one single option code. It would be called "merchandising package" or in the case of a '72 Valiant, the "automatic transmission package", which in this was a hook that if you paid for that large option package, you would get an automatic transmission FREE!. Nevermind that well over 80% of A-body sedans were equipped with automatics anyway and it was probably the easiest option to upsell on it's own. The reason for ALL of this was to make Chrysler and the dealer money on a loaded car.

So where is all this going and what does it have to do with carpet?

Well, go back to that interior decor group that was part of the Merchandising/Auto trans package, which the car here has. The decor group got you wood grain dash, wood grain door panels, rear ashtrays, remote outside mirror, day/nite mirror, split bench seat with armrest and...carpet. The package doesn't specify what type of carpet, but I recall reading an ad for an Imperial that mentioned "cut-pile and only cut-pile carpet". Also, recall that part of the Valiant Brougham package after '73 was...you guessed it...cut-pile carpet. In those days, cut-pile carpeting wasn't common and was considered an upgrade

So, my theory is that cut-pile has something to do with the interior trim level of the car. Perhaps there was an internal coding for cut-pile when several other option packages were coded as well. People have noted that there are plenty of post-'71 cars with factory 80/20 loop, and my '75 Swinger had loop. If there are known base model sedans with cut-pile then this theory is out the window. The only other theory is Windsor-built cars having cut-pile. Years ago I saw another '72 Valiant with cut-pile. The '72 I have here is a very early build, 10/71.
 
Interesting. I suppose that could be the case with 70s Valiants, or with 70-up A-bodies. All I know is that 67-69 Barracudas, at least, had loop carpet only. And they were considered "premium" models.
 
For what it's worth, my parents' 62 Dodge Polara 500 convertible had very thick, dense cut-pile carpet. My old 73 Duster 340 (which I haven't seen in 40 years) had, as I recall, much thinner, less plush cut-pile carpet. My 67 Charger and all three of my A body Barracudas (65, 67 and 69) originally had (and still have) loop carpet.
 
Mine also had thick cut pile when I bought it. I had a very hard time finding a replacement . Settled for a loop

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My dad's '68 Formula S 340 console auto no a/c had loop and both of my '69 cuda 340's the same. My present '69 cuda even has it on the interior fender wells which I believe is part of the A86(?) Barracuda Decor Group.
 
Silly question: can anyone show me pictures of the difference between the two?

It would not surprise me one bit if Chrysler advertises both style of carpets but actually only used one carpet? My feet cannot tell the difference one bit.
I to this day don’t know what is the difference. The carpet in my 66 barracuda was missing when I bought the car in 89’ and the rubber floor mat is still in my Demon 340 since birth. So I’m at a loss on what loop or cut actually looks like.
Syleng1
Happy Thanksgiving
 
This 1973 Dart Sport was “sporting” the original carpet when I got it. It was cut pile carpet, so I assume by 1973, cut pile was the choice.

However, when I got this 1973 Roadrunner, it had level loop.

This 1979 Roadrunner had cut pile.

No rhyme or reason it seems!

E7DBA838-E6B6-411F-ACE5-154DD7191138.jpeg


EB2C617F-61FE-4590-B883-87EE3FCF2CD7.jpeg


689F58D6-0AB2-420C-9B71-D80CF872178D.jpeg
 
From B bodies only:

Question:
Ordering carpets - question ACC 80/20 Loop with mass backing verses Essex with mass backing.

This is referring to the 80/20 loop carpets -
  • The only carpet in the industry tufted from 80% rayon and 20% nylon.
  • Tufted to a 5/32 gauge loop and contains 24 ounces of yarn per square yard.
ACC Essex -
  • 100% Nylon
  • Ultra plush upgrade to standard cutpile
  • Creates a high end look to the interior of any vehicle
Original factory carpet replacement.

Which would be closer to factory quality?



Answer
The 80/20 is factory correct for most cars. The Essex was used in some 1974 and up cars I think. Quality wise the Essex seems better to me. Mass backing is better in my opinion. I have had the best luck ordering the carpet thru rockauto, it always shows up fresh and without long-term fold lines. Just be sure to get it out of the box and laying flat fast.
 
Syleng1 said:
Silly question: can anyone show me pictures of the difference between the two?

It would not surprise me one bit if Chrysler advertises both style of carpets but actually only used one carpet? My feet cannot tell the difference one bit.
I to this day don’t know what is the difference. The carpet in my 66 barracuda was missing when I bought the car in 89’ and the rubber floor mat is still in my Demon 340 since birth. So I’m at a loss on what loop or cut actually looks like.
Syleng1
Happy Thanksgiving
Click to expand...
Albright’s Supply Explains Loop Pile vs Cut Pile Carpets
 
cosgig said:
This 1973 Dart Sport was “sporting” the original carpet when I got it. It was cut pile carpet, so I assume by 1973, cut pile was the choice.

However, when I got this 1973 Roadrunner, it had level loop.

This 1979 Roadrunner had cut pile.

No rhyme or reason it seems!
Click to expand...
One thing to bear in mind is that we are talking about cars that were built 50 years or more ago. Lotsa carpets got replaced in that time. Sometimes more than once.
 
65 Cuda 340 said:
One thing to bear in mind is that we are talking about cars that were built 50 years or more ago. Lotsa carpets got replaced in that time. Sometimes more than once.
Click to expand...
True dat! I can vouch for the Dart Sport, it was ran into the ditch and bent the car in 1/2 on the drivers side sometime in 1974. That accident would be an easy fix today, but it took it off the road for good back then.
 
Syleng1 said:
Silly question: can anyone show me pictures of the difference between the two?

It would not surprise me one bit if Chrysler advertises both style of carpets but actually only used one carpet? My feet cannot tell the difference one bit.
I to this day don’t know what is the difference. The carpet in my 66 barracuda was missing when I bought the car in 89’ and the rubber floor mat is still in my Demon 340 since birth. So I’m at a loss on what loop or cut actually looks like.
Syleng1
Happy Thanksgiving
Click to expand...
The difference is totally obvious when you see it. Loop is exactly what it says — the yarns are tucked into the backing at both ends, so you never see the cut end of a yarn. Overall, this carpet has a nubby or bumpy feel. In contrast, cut pile is like the wall to wall carpet in your house — the yarns are standing straight up, with the bottom end anchored in the backing. It feels plush to the touch, and you can part it with your fingers.
 
Very interesting replies. I had a twin to the red '73 Dart Sport above and it had black loop carpeting. The '69 Dart sedan I owned for a while had black loop carpeting. The '74 Valiant I owned which was a fairly loaded car had green loop.

Here is the cut-pile in my Valiant. Presumed to be original based on the amount of fade and the sewn-on heel pad.

IMG_2703.JPG


IMG_2702.JPG
 
I have owned many Mopars since the 80s. Never a C body but everything else. I can not remember anything from the factory but loop carpet. (But some days I do good to remember my name!)

But, I have seen 1969 Roadrunners back in the 80s "restored" with cut pile carpet form J C Whitney!!!! :BangHead: :thumbsup: :poke:
 
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