OK, trying to get the carpet fitted. The front was really nerve wrecking. Making sure the holes were in the right place. My question for today. Under the back seat, was their any padding or something from the factory? Or as I suspect, bare metal. Also, does the backrest or seat go in first?

I've never seen anything under the back seat.

There was the black sound deading material under the seat area.

Yes, it was a black heavy cardboard, almost like it was imbeded with tar or something,

Thanks guys. As you can see I used the thin, 1/8", Dynaliner instead of the original "tar paper" stuff. Saw no need for the heavier stuff.

Did you leave a way to get to the master cylinder fill plug under the floor. Somebody put carpet in the front of my 48, and, I had a devil of a time getting to the hole in the floor.

Regards:
Oldengineer

I plan on it. I have not put anything on the floor under the front carpet yet. Just got it fitted and laying in place to relax. Good point though. I was going to ask, does the carpet go under the rocker panel molding or just butt up to it. The carpet came from Hampton and the edge is bound with vinyl trim. I "assume" it is correct.

Thank Ed and Gene. After y'all replied I was able to locate a photo of when the car was disassembled that showed that area and it clearly shows a piece of that tar paper stuff that was used back in the day. STILL NEED TO KNOW, do I put in the seat bottom or back first?????

On both my 37 and 48 the back goes in first and then the bottom cushion shoves in under it and then the front of it drops down inside the seat frame. The top of the back hangs on some clips and the bottom of the back is held by some tabs that either bend over or have a screw. I can't remember which. I haven't had them out for a long time.
Hope this helps

Russ - When you mention whether it's correct, in '48 there really wasn't any front seat area carpeting, just the rubber floor mat with the carpet inserts (see picture on page 445 of the 1948 Master Parts Catalog). The back seat area was carpeted. My rear carpet is not under the door sill trim, but it would help hold it down. No idea what was original. Gene might know! :-)

When I installed my rear seats, I put the back in first. I think it could be screwed in, but I have a plywood board behind the seat. The seat bottom doesn't have any attaching hardware and kind of just fits into the space.

Staying with the idea of being able to get to the master cylinder, I would not tuck the carpet under the rocker trim plate.....if you did that, then every time you want to check the brake fluid you would have to take up the trim plate to fold the carpet back for access.

The deal with Hampton's "correctness" is I don't believe '40s vintage Chevrolets had carpet in the front.....just a rubber mat with carpet inserts. I think Filling Station has them listed.

Can't help with back seat procedure, but I'll take a guess and say the back goes on first. Betcha Gene will pop on and let us know for sure!!!

BTW, I don't think there was ever any provision for getting to the master cylinder, other than folding the floor mat back out of the way. I think the carpet just butts up to the moulding in the door opening. The front seat on any 48 that I have seen has a rubber floor mat with carpet inserts on each side.

That carpet up front is all new to me...where'd you get it...? I have the carpet in back and mine's original...and it's that same color...exactly...but nothing up-front but mat with capet inserts...What da ya get'in all fancy on us...? lol

WHAT!!!! And they say ignorance is no excuse. So now I have to spend another $250 plus to get the right mat. You guys are killing me.

Looked in the specification sheets, yep, y'all are right!!!

Carpet up front is what Hampton Coach sends you when you order the whole interior "kit". Because Hampton doesn't make repro mats. My 48 Aero had a Hampton kit in it when I acquired it and it has that same color carpet in the front, but mine doesn't have the nice vinyl trim. The correct mat that Filling Station offers has only been available from them for about a year or so.


Hey Russell......I won't tell if you don't

The sound deading material was about 3 inches from the sill plate.
The 1948 rear carpet was a tan/gray color.
The 1947 and prior were more into the brown tone.
The interior materials in general were more into the gray/tan tones in 1948.

Oh no...! Now I'm holding my head...!

I think your carpet looks nice but if you are going to have it judged you will want the correct front mat.

It will never be judged most likely, but I just ordered the "correct" from The Filling Station. $245. + shipping!If I did'nt do it now it would always bother me.

You are a real Chevy guy Ruscar

Im really glad someone else posted about there being no carpet in the front just the mat with the carpet inserts. I just didnt have the heart to tell ya Russ!!! It really is a nice reproduction. I got mine years ago before they stopped making them. (Was just as expensive then) Has a very nice, and thick padding under it. Still is a pain lifting it up to get to the master fill plug though. Be carefull with the slits that fit over the pedals, and steering coluum. Easy to rip the mat in those places if not fit carefully.

TO EVERYONE. If you see something that is not "correct" at least call it to my attention so I have the option to correct it now, rather than later. Please!!! I know of a few thing I elected to do to my liking, but most can't be seen. This is one reason I am posting pic's and it may help others. I know I really looked forward to the pic's Dale (decarter)posted of his '48.

Well OK. About the dash. I do not think the woodgrain effect extended below the chrome trim pieces. The lower part of the dash was a light brown color. I Remember when I did mine. Nice picture of it in the "Pictoral History of Chevrolet 1940-1954"
Page 102.

The Fleetmaster was painted below the chrome trim. The Fleetline had wood grain below the chrome.

My original '48 fleetline has wood grain above and below the chrome.