Rubber mats for Mk1 1963

[flyinghorse]

I am working on the premise that if you dont ask you dont get!

At least I may provide a good laugh!

I see plenty of carpet sets available, but what about rubber mats for the earlier cars?
I have taken mine out of my car and wondered about replacement due to age they are brittle/cracked.

Does anyone supply them, or has anyone thought about remaking them?

It would really finish of my car so I would be prepared to pay a sound ammount for a good set.

I also need a decent alloy boss for a big rivet steering wheel( 11/63 version)--my internal splines are not as good(Safe) as I would like. I guess I could retrofit a woodruff key if pushed. The steering box shaft is metal and the boss is alloy and the alloy is worn. Looks potentially very dangerous and could lead to a loss of steering.

I have an excellent set of superlites, and a early LP head (4 digit) available for trade.

I do sense that a lot of cars are changing hands and the desire to restore possibly earlier restorations is making the need for replacement parts more pressing.
Graham

 

[Steve 155C]

Hi Graham - I also need a set of rubber matts.

I did look into getting some reproduced. My car had a 2 piece set which I was informed was from a standard car , and infact the LC's had lightweight 3 piece set - which I have never seen.

What has your car got?

If someone can verify if the LC's had 2 or 3 peice rubber matts I will look into it again if some can provide me with a sample.

 

[Mark1YKK]

I think the original mats were made by Dunlop and were called 'Hardura' as I have an advert somewhere at home with this info on it.
I to did look into the reproduction of these mats some time ago but the cost prohibited me going any further.. I was told it would be Thousands of £'s to set up.
I hadnt heard myself of any differences between standard and Lotus rubber mats myself, but thats not to say that wasnt the case. The mats in my '63' MK1 LC are quite thick, so I doubt they are original, if they were suppost to be lightweight.
If you do see any for sale, do check them properly, or in other words open them out fully, as they suffer if folded for too long, and crack / split much like old tyres do, because they dry out.

 

[flyinghorse]

Mark,
Thanks for the update.

I have just been out to look at my mats and am now convinced that the mats are 3 piece.
I have a centre console mat marked FCT8

The floor mats appear to have been cut(see photo (hopefully Steve will upload) showing rear and forward mat "curving" at same angle suggesting a cut.

Also seem to have a single popper on each mat on one side only--not both sides

Mats are marked "Fmco" (Ford motor company) at top and DRC FDR10 and DRC DL 5 at the bottom.

Also an interesting note when refurbishing my steel wheels--
They are marked 12/62 where the hubs fit over the lugs, and LP881 and single rivet suggesting the 881 wheels were lotus parts.

Graham

 

[flyinghorse]

Photos of my mats.

http://empiredirect.photobox.co.uk/album/6099006

Graham

 

[Andrew C]

The original mats are the heavy ones. Mine from my March 63 car are 5 piece - centre, front drivers and passenger and 2 for the rear.

Cheers,

Andrew