Wool vs. "standard" carpet

[lippy]

My ERA is getting close to shipping from CT, but I still have time to make some last minute changes. I initially chose "standard" synthetic carpeting. Peter from ERA mentioned it holds up well and doesn't fade to a greenish color with extended sun exposure. Should I be considering the Wilton wool option? Any experience with this carpet, especially looks and durability, would be appreciated. Thanks.

[fordracing65]

I only considered Wilton wool, it is by far the better of the 2 carpets, yet some on here prefer the fake stuff, Wilton wool is the preferred carpet for all iconic roadsters, it is the caviar of carpets. Wilton holds up just as good as the synthetic stuff, call any auto shop that does interiors and they will tell you the same, most of the time Wilton is on backorder because it is in such high demand.. Sheep don't come cheap..

[427 Street]

My car has every option but that, and Peter told me that it is not worth it when I was going to switch over. I have to tell you, my carpet is gorgeous...love it. Peter also said, "Why would you want wool? Heck, I never even put it in my cars."

Did the original cars have wool? It seems like an expensive carpet for a car that was essentially an inexpensive British roadster. I would bet an Aston Martin had wool, but an Ace or a Bristol?

My $0.2, but I am more than happy with the carpet Jack cut and provided. I would put that money elsewhere if it was me.

[patrickt]

Stay away from the wool. Nylon lasts longer, looks the same, deals with moisture better, and is less likely to be eaten by bugs.

[mdross1]

This is one of those issues I gave an awful lot of thought,do I use carpet or Not.Thinking about how the car was going to used with wipers,heat and defrost and so many places water will find it's way inside the cabin,carpets was the last thing I needed.Actually drilled drain holes in the floor they worked great after the first good bath the car got.When rinsing off the soap tried very hard to keep water out.Ya Right! Then thought about driving anywhere in a driving rainstorm and hoping the drain holes would be large enough.

[csx4017]

I have been caught in a couple of California magic down-pours and would not have wanted wool carpets.....They are beautiful but not practical in an open roadster........

[scottj]

My installer recommended German Velour over Wilton for this car. The previous car had Wilton Wool, which was nice, but I did have some pilling on the sides of the footbox.

[KevinW]

Originally Posted by 427 Street

My car has every option but that, and Peter told me that it is not worth it when I was going to switch over. I have to tell you, my carpet is gorgeous...love it. Peter also said, "Why would you want wool? Heck, I never even put it in my cars."

Did the original cars have wool? It seems like an expensive carpet for a car that was essentially an inexpensive British roadster. I would bet an Aston Martin had wool, but an Ace or a Bristol?

My $0.2, but I am more than happy with the carpet Jack cut and provided. I would put that money elsewhere if it was me.

IMHO, there is only one AC product where you can use those 2 words in the same sentence.....

acinvalid carriage - Bing Images

- hand-bashed ali never came cheap.

[tkb289]

lippy,

I pondered the same question as well and in the end took Peter's advice and went with synthetic for the reasons stated above.

I did however opt for the leather seats, over the vinyl ... now those are worth it

[427 Street]

Originally Posted by tkb289

lippy,

I pondered the same question as well and in the end took Peter's advice and went with synthetic for the reasons stated above.

I did however opt for the leather seats, over the vinyl ... now those are worth it

Agreed

[fordracing65]

I believe it comes in the 50th anniversary Cobra, it's red, and it's beautiful... Wilton, is also a different weaving processes, it's all about the loom, which you don't get with synthetic, just Google Wilton carpet's, it explains in detail why this carpet is a step above the rest...

[lippy]

Originally Posted by fordracing65

I believe it comes in the 50th anniversary Cobra, it's red, and it's beautiful... Wilton, is also a different weaving processes, it's all about the loom, which you don't get with synthetic, just Google Wilton carpet's, it explains in detail why this carpet is a step above the rest...

I spoke with Peter at ERA this morning. There is still time to change to wool if I want, and I don't think it is *that* expensive (I stopped adding the cost of this project a long time ago anyway).

I couldn't find a photo of your car in the CC galleries to see the color. Is the carpet black, and how long have you had it? Is the difference between the wool and a top-quality synthetic visible, or does it just feel better? Have you had any fading or other issues?

[fordracing65]

I don't have my car all together yet, the Kirkhams offer both style of carpet and I choose Wilton because it is the carpet of choice when you want the best, it's a Rolls Royce standard carpet till this day, and you know how nice there interiors are, the synthetic is nice and cheaper and the technology has come so far you can't go wrong with using it. I have used Wilton before and they now add UV protection, it has great wear life and depending on the thickness it is as plush and soft as they come. Wool is the carpet of choice for area rugs of the highest quality, synthetic is used for most wall to wall carpet because of the price. So to summarize, Wilton Wool has great wear life, does not fade like the wool of yester year, and be cleaned and vacuumed like synthetic. It does cost more but your paying for the top quality of carpets.. Also Wilton has a unique loom process where the wool is woven together in a different manner than most synthetics.. Hope this helps.

[LMH]

Would have to be wool for me. Somethings are just worth the expense.
Larry

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by LMH

Would have to be wool for me. Somethings are just worth the expense.
Larry

I have to go to heroic lengths to protect my favorite wool sweaters, and they still get eaten. I have no idea how you would keep moths away from that tasty Wilton Wool.

[fordracing65]

Originally Posted by patrickt

I have to go to heroic lengths to protect my favorite wool sweaters, and they still get eaten. I have no idea how you would keep moths away from that tasty Wilton Wool.

We don't have moths in AZ, they can't take the HEAT...

[lippy]

Originally Posted by patrickt

I have to go to heroic lengths to protect my favorite wool sweaters, and they still get eaten. I have no idea how you would keep moths away from that tasty Wilton Wool.

Is this really a problem for auto carpets? I've never seen or heard of moth or insect issues with car interiors.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by lippy

Is this really a problem for auto carpets? I've never seen or heard of moth or insect issues with car interiors.

Every other car in the world doesn't use wool carpet.

[patrickt]

[ERA Chas]

^^^See you stopped at the nail salon before making this vid...