Vinyl behind the seats ?

[428street]

Looking for input from original owners or anyone who has pictures of the layout of the vinyl behind the seats in an original car. Most replica's use carpet behind the seats. The original cars had vinyl from the left to right side of the wheel well all along the back panel. I'm trying to duplicate the exact layout of the vinyl. Right now there are three separate pieces. One on each side of the dump out (wheel well) and then one for the rectangle directly behind the seats. Any help or pics would be appreciated.

TIA>

[Cobra #3170]

Originally Posted by 428street

Looking for input from original owners or anyone who has pictures of the layout of the vinyl behind the seats in an original car. Most replica's use carpet behind the seats. The original cars had vinyl from the left to right side of the wheel well all along the back panel. I'm trying to duplicate the exact layout of the vinyl. Right now there are three separate pieces. One on each side of the dump out (wheel well) and then one for the rectangle directly behind the seats. Any help or pics would be appreciated.

TIA>

There was also a Panel of Vinyl That snapped in place to retain the side curtains behind the seats. It created a storage area between the back panel and the seats. I think I still have that piece but don't know exactly where it is stored at the moment.

[DanEC]

Good question. I haven't installed mine yet.

[KevinW]

take a look on www.csxinfo.net

- lots of good pics of original cars there, and all the pictorial info you will need. You just need to sit down with a cup of coffee and go for a trawl.

[428street]

You are correct 3170. I have the pocket already. When I did my car I was unaware of the rear material being vinyl not carpet so I'm just going back and making it "more correct".

[rsk289]

I'd also really appreciate any photos of this area if possible. I've trawled through the CSX info gallery for the 2000 series cars, and there are only a couple of shots of this area which are hard to make out. It seems this is not a popular subject for a photo when snapping Cobras!
I'm assuming the vinyl panel holding the sidescreens was flexible, with an elastic top edge? Was the rear bulkhead carpet or vinyl? Looks like the wheelarch bulges at the sides were vinyl - but the lower step going across? Was carpet only on the floor?

[YerDugliness]

Originally Posted by rsk289

Was the rear bulkhead carpet or vinyl? Looks like the wheelarch bulges at the sides were vinyl - but the lower step going across? Was carpet only on the floor?

I am curious about this, also. I am getting the interior redone on mine and would like to go carpet on the floor only (marine carpet so that the occasional drenching we get here in SE TX won't ruin the carpet....I know it's not original, but we all have to make some concessions, right?) with vinyl on the transmission/driveshaft tunnel and the bulkhead. I'll keep the door panels, side panels, and the seats for now....

Cheers!

Dugly

[428street]

I don't have any pics but I did speak to two CSX owners this week that I know. Both told me same thing. Three pieces. 1. Left bumpout. 2. Right bumpout 3. Rear rectangle

This info was for a big block car only.

This info does not include the pocket with lift the dots either. That is a separate animal.

There was a 1" piece of foam glue on the top edge between the vinyl and aluminum body. Only on the top of the back piece, no where else.

I was told there was no hem, finished edge at all on the vinyl. So where the 90 degree bend is on both sides of the rear rectangle the material was just cut and glued like a shingle would be installed.

Hope this makes sense.

I should be doing this sometime this coming week and will post pics.

[A-Snake]

See answers below in red.

Originally Posted by rsk289

I'd also really appreciate any photos of this area if possible. I've trawled through the CSX info gallery for the 2000 series cars, and there are only a couple of shots of this area which are hard to make out. It seems this is not a popular subject for a photo when snapping Cobras!
I'm assuming the vinyl panel holding the sidescreens was flexible, with an elastic top edge?
Yes, Elastic sewn in with about a 1/2" stretch. Lift-a-dot to Lift-a-dot across the top is 40 1/2"
Was the rear bulkhead carpet or vinyl?
Vinyl
Looks like the wheelarch bulges at the sides were vinyl
The bulges covered in leather (glued)
- but the lower step going across?
"Step" is carpeted
Was carpet only on the floor?
Carpet on trans/bellhousing tunnel, kick panels, along sides below doors and on doors and glove box

[Three Peaks]

I always thought it would be cool to do that area in a Diamond Tuck design or something along that line just to dress it up a little.
I've got a roll of the Kirkham Vinyl that should be perfect for this area- and a lot more.

Bob

[rsk289]

Fantastic responses, thanks guys!
All a lot clearer now. Look forward to a few photos, 428.
Roger

[Dan Case]

I'll add to A-Snake's comments. I'll speak on leaf spring cars. The vinyl panel with elastic fitted top edge had leather reinforcement bindings on the side edges. It appears to be the same top dyed very thin split leather used to make glove box door stays, one of the two common designs of door pull straps, carpet binding under the doors, and carpet binding along the three edges of the carpet between the scuttle hoop and seat area (no other carpet edges on a leaf spring car were bound in any way).

[428street]

I've not heard of the wheel arches being leather. Is that for both 260/289 cars and big block?

[Dan Case]

Originally Posted by 428street;1****12

I've not heard of the wheel arches being leather. Is that for both 260/289 cars and big block?

Do mean the formed curved forward inner wheel houses behind driver and passenger seats? Cobra street (leaf spring cars) got leather covering.

[428street]

Dan:

Yes to your first ?.

When you refer to Cobra Street leaf spring cars I assume you are referring to small block cars correct? I was not aware that there were any (maybe a couple first run cars) that were leaf spring big block cars unless I am totally missing something which is very possible!

My specific interest in my initial question was for big block street cars. Certainly it's cool to know the specifics of all the different variants of the Cobra.

[Dan Case]

Originally Posted by 428street;1****21

Dan:

Yes to your first ?.

When you refer to Cobra Street leaf spring cars I assume you are referring to small block cars correct? I was not aware that there were any (maybe a couple first run cars) that were leaf spring big block cars unless I am totally missing something which is very possible!

My specific interest in my initial question was for big block street cars. Certainly it's cool to know the specifics of all the different variants of the Cobra.

Before the first coil spring chassis was created (to become what the world calls a 427 Cobra) all cars in the AC Cars/Shelby/Ford arrangement were leaf spring chassis. The one car Ken Miles at al. stuffed a Ford FE engine into was a leaf spring chassis car. The racing coupe (a 'Daytona Coupe') stretched for a FE engine and then cut back down was a leaf spring chassis.

Leaf spring cars and coil spring cars are very different vehicles that share lots of parts. What is true in one series may or may not be true in the other just as leaf spring chassis before CSX2126 and those CSX2126 and higher have many differences.

[A-Snake]

Originally Posted by Dan Case;1****32

Before the first coil spring chassis was created (to become what the world calls a 427 Cobra) all cars in the AC Cars/Shelby/Ford arrangement were leaf spring chassis. The one car Ken Miles at al. stuffed a Ford FE engine into was a leaf spring chassis car. The racing coupe (a 'Daytona Coupe') stretched for a FE engine and then cut back down was a leaf spring chassis.

Leaf spring cars and coil spring cars are very different vehicles that share lots of parts. What is true in one series may or may not be true in the other just as leaf spring chassis before CSX2126 and those CSX2126 and higher have many differences.

To add to Dan's post about CSX2286 chassis being lengthened to try and fit a BB but then completed as a 289 Daytona. CSX2196 was a leaf spring chassis fitted with a 427. It was the only 427 Cobra prototype, that became known as the "Turd" or the "Fliptop"

[KevinW]

Originally Posted by rsk289

I'd also really appreciate any photos of this area if possible. I've trawled through the CSX info gallery for the 2000 series cars, and there are only a couple of shots of this area which are hard to make out. It seems this is not a popular subject for a photo when snapping Cobras!
I'm assuming the vinyl panel holding the sidescreens was flexible, with an elastic top edge? Was the rear bulkhead carpet or vinyl? Looks like the wheelarch bulges at the sides were vinyl - but the lower step going across? Was carpet only on the floor?

if you get a copy of the famed Rinsey Mills book, there is a clear picture of the sidescreen pocket on a 289 car.
i beleive the rear bulkhead was all vynil on 289 and 428 cars - i have half-vynilled mine (427 shape).

- if you have trouble getting hold of the book (ebay prices >$150/£100), ask at your local library: I did, and to my surprise there was a copy in another library that they just ordered in for me to borrow. if you get really stuck pm me, i probably have a scanned photo of it somewhere, but it would require some digging.

[mickmate]

Hey Frank I sent you some pics.

[rsk289]

Originally Posted by KevinW

if you get a copy of the famed Rinsey Mills book, there is a clear picture of the sidescreen pocket on a 289 car.
i beleive the rear bulkhead was all vynil on 289 and 428 cars - i have half-vynilled mine (427 shape).

- if you have trouble getting hold of the book (ebay prices >$150/£100), ask at your local library: I did, and to my surprise there was a copy in another library that they just ordered in for me to borrow. if you get really stuck pm me, i probably have a scanned photo of it somewhere, but it would require some digging.

Thanks - I do have a copy and have used that photo. It's mainly the other areas that are not clear in the book - wheelarches, step, panel behind the sidescreens etc. Hadn't realised this book was now so valuable - I'd better bring it back indoors, out of the workshop!