I was thinking of buying some carpet for my series 4 Elan and use the originals as a template and I’ve noticed Aldridge are selling what appears to be a new range of carpet for the Elan, black loop pile, has anyone bought this as yet? It’s quite expensive at £660 for a full kit, certainly interesting.
Phil
Hi,
Does not look like the original loop pile to me, shorter loop and more vinyl. Mabe wrong a sample will tell.
cheers
Mark
Phil, we kicked around this topic a bit here. There are several pictures of samples in the thread that might help.
When I discussed my requirements by email with Aldridge they immediately suggested sending samples, which arrived in Canada quite promptly by mail. IIRC this was a free service, which kinda supports the notion that they want to make sure the client is happy with their material selection before ordering.
Bottom line is their materials may not be an exact match, so one has to kind of decide for themselves if it is close enough. For example, the door card vinyl is a ‘flatter’ finish than the stock glossy vinyl; personally I like it better and actually ordered enough matching vinyl sheet to recover other interior body panels to match. As my front seats are aftermarket anyway the whole thing fits together OK, but is never going to sweep the awards on the concours lawn.
Although I recognize the new Aldridge supplied door cards, vinyl, and carpet set in my Plus 2 is not an exact match to stock, I am very pleased with the results. At least the door card carpet matches the rest of the car.
I am still a bit confused on their naming conventions for their carpets, but they sent me two samples, one a loop style and the other kind of fuzzy texture that was not even close to stock. I think I posted pictures on the other thread.
Sounds like you want to cut your own; I ordered a pre cut carpet set. The set fit OK, but patient detail trimming with sharp shears was still required. They were very responsive when I emailed back indicating their Plus 2 set was missing the pieces that cover the rear seat plinths, immediately dispatching (postage paid) two small carpet pieces to complete the job. I didn’t purchase the matching pieces for the boot, opting to leave my previously purchased set in place, so not an exact match there.
I will be installing the Aldridge supplied pre-sewn headliner this winter. It looks like a quality piece as well, and the material is the correct Lodestar pattern.
Overall very happy with the supplier and results so far, but definitely not a 100% original appearance. Found Aldridge very responsive throughout the whole process, which involved mailing them my NLA door card top rails so they could use them to construct the replacements.
Good luck with the job. It is a perfect winter project. I think the thread above includes samples from some other carpet suppliers that may match better to stock, although not sure about availability.
HTH
I requested samples from Aldridge Trimming which they duly sent. However i personally wasn’t impressed by their version of loop pile carpet. I thought it seemed a poor substitute for the original loop pile in my +2. I consequently didn’t order any and am still looking for something like the original.
Shipping from an Australian company that a few others have done seems the best solution but the shipping cost is the problem hence why i am still sitting on my hands on this. 
|Alan.
I’ve just found another site that’s sending me sample it’s called Boyriven, they seem to specialise TRs but looks to supply high end products. I also asked for some samples from Coverdale but they were very disappointing not even close to the original. I will update with my findings.
Phil
Hi
Interestingly, Ferrari’s of the 80’s have loop pile, well mt friends 308 did… I wonder where they source it. Any Ferarri type on here?
Just had a look at the “Boyriven” and thats not bad at all. When I restored an S4 I used a Loop Pile domestic carpet, look excellent but very hard to fit as much thicker. Have a look at my post dated 18 Mar 2012 10:07 am using the link below…
viewtopic.php?f=36&t=24739&hilit=Loop+pile+carpet
cheers
Mark
@ philbirch where are you in Liverpool? I’m on the wirral
The Boyriven Boxweave Black looks quite nice to me. The roll width seems suitable as well. Can’t see a thickness though.
boyriven.co.uk/Boxweavecarpet.html
All the best.
I have the Boyriven boxweave sample. Unsuitable. Too coarse. I won’t be ordering.
Alan
Hi Phil,
What carpet supplier is that from?
I looks a close match but I don’t think the loops are quite long enough to be as Lotus original. However it may be ok. Is this what you have used? Or do you have a sample of it? How coarse is it?
edit: Just checked Designer Carpet website… will they supply small lengths for car use?
Alan
Looks to be https://designer-carpet.co.uk/9283/kersaint-cobb-pampas-nordic-malmo
Is this automotive carpet, or regular house carpeting?
another Phil
Hi lads, I’ve more samples but I’m unable upload because of the apparent file size I will try again tomorrow
Phil
Looking at the web site, it is definitely domestic carpet, not automotive.
Yes I agree, I’ve now got the 2 samples both are grey but they’ll lend themselves easily to being fitted to a car, not sure why they are grey though.
Phil
Can you post a picture of a sample next to a piece of original carpet?
I’ve tried posting a comparison photo but all attempts fail, I took photos with my iPad but won’t upload, changed format but still no joy, message me and I’ll email them across
Regards phil
I am not an expert on carpet by any stretch of imagination but surely domestic carpet will be very heavy compared to automotive carpet?
Alan.
It is, but also is not as supple which makes shaping it a lot harder.
cheers
I think the main problem with using domestic carpets in a car (apart from them looking like domestic carpets) is their propensity to getting wet and rotting. Especially in a convertible.
@philbirch in order to post a picture from any iOS device, email it to yourself first. The Photos app will ask you if you want small, medium, large or original size. Choose medium or large then send. When it arrives in your inbox you can save (to photos on iPad) and then upload.
The problem is due to a forum limit on uploaded file sizes. Our modern iOS devices have too high resolution cameras.