Who sells the best A-Body trunk Mats these days (70-71 Duster)? I Need the the plaid style in the grey/tan tint (not the darker tan or plain grey I've seen on reproductions to date).

*Reproduction on the left, one of my originals on the right

Did the A bodies use the same material as the B and E bodies? If yes then nobody has a correct mat.

Agreed. None of the repo trunk mats fit quite right. I wish someone would come out with a better one.

I have two originals, one 70 and one 71, both are the grey (with a tan tint) plaid style (not the grey speckled style everyone seems to have). I haven't tried a repro for fit yet but I'm guessing it sucks.

Classic Industries has a grey plaid rubber mat but I haven't seen one in person to comment on the quality.

http://www.classicindustries.com/product/mopar/a-body-duster/parts/ma801pl.html

There's another recent thread around here on the topic. Apparently the real problem is the repro material. One of the posters said he had an old MCO (Motor City Originals) mat that was as close as it gets, but aren't produced any more.
If that frontier is ever conquered, there's still the ink stampings on the backside.
Somewhere, maybe there's a mint Grandma-fresh Scamp that has what you need...

Ok, I'll get a Classic version and see what they look like. Thanks guys!

*Steve, both of mine are originals out of survivor type cars, both have the ink stamps and one is mint with no cracks or anything but I don't want to use it in my driver. They don't have the felt type, or any other type of backing material, they are just plain rubber with a fabric like texture.

Car has a November 28, 1970 SPD

I have an NOS mat for a 69 Dart that looks just like that material, but it was singed on one side during my garage fire.

Scott,
Let me know what you think of Classic's mat

I'll post pics. My guess is that the die cut will be off and the color will match the grey speckled reproduction I posted pics of above.

Jim, may as well ship it to me

There are a couple versions in the Classic (print) catalog I have, but it's an older catalog that was given to me. One version mentions felt backing, which I don't recall from original 68-69 B-bodies I've owned.
I can't recall what was in my '68 340-S from years ago, but I don't recall felt; neither of my Dusters have theirs, one being the racecar and the other a hot rod that's seen some changes.
Scott, I'll be right over to claim whatever you reject, haha.

You can come over now, I already have one for you (see speckled one above)

Scott, this is a shot of the 69 340 Swingers original trunk mat. Built 505 at Hamtrmack

Yep, looks the same as my two

Hey Scott,

The "texture" on the back is called fabric finish or nylon finish. Many materials have a texture based on the conveyor it was processed on.

For example some yellow insulation has a bumpy texture for no other reason that thats the chain conveyor it was processed on.

Rubber can be ordered in "nylon" finish which is a tight diamon pattern finish.

Just an FYI

PS I've investigated the hell outta these trunk matts. I'm gonna do them probably next year. I'll to the correct grey pattern (the current one is inverted), the tan pattern and the speckled pattern.
The E and 71-72 B bodies will never be available in the original "Burtex" material (burlap/hemp based with a painted on pattern). Fords used that material too. There are repro Fords that look like they were (incorrectly) made from burlap material. Those guys like Mopar guys pay $1000+ for the right one or NOS.

Jim,

The biggest issue I see with the originals is that they seem to be made of a compressed rubber material (almost like asphalt) which splits and breaks apart extremely easily at sharp radius or split areas. Any ideas on how to get the correct appearance of the originals with a bit more durability?

Verdict is in, the mats from REM (Classic vending them) are garbage IMO. The pattern is a negative of the original, the color is off a country mile and they blew it on the filler tube and jack hook cut outs (not even remotely similar). The raw material is a generic rubber, texture is wrong top and bottom. About the only thing close is the overall die cut shape and size (which was not exact but close enough to be usable). It's like they didn't even have an original to start with before making them. A blind person could do a better job, they should be embarrassed. .02

Just like we all said from the start, junk. But Scott, thanks for the review anyway and your 2 cents,very much appreciated. Maybe down the road someone will step up to the plate and repo a more correct one, I hope.

picky picky picky ...

I have some spare shag carpet from a disco van I just parted out, maybe I'll just cut one from that

Yeah, the "Day 2" mat!
That REM mat should not be described using the word "restoration". I'm sure it's functionally adequate, but obviously it bears no resemblance to an original except having a plaid pattern.
Only Rod Serling could explain it...

Man, I'm glad I purchased my trunk mat 30+ years ago. I have a feeling that it is a MCO mat but it could possibly be NOS. My mind is aging and I just can't remember any more. The color, appearance and texture are identical to the shredded mat I removed years ago.

You better check it with a black light first.

Stop it I just ate!

Yea, on the A-body trunk mats and others, I don't understand why we have such sub-par reproductions. When you can a very nice repro for a Chevelle/GTO, etc, that has the correct texture and pattern. The texture and GM repops are far closer to Mopars that the crap we are getting now.

here the one out of my old survivor 71 duster december build date.. food for thought on pattern.

Both of my 1970 Dusters had the plaid pattern as well (Hamtramk cars). One of my 71 Dusters has an Oct 1970 SPD, I found scraps of the plaid pattern in the quarter extensions (LA car) another of them with a Nov 1970 SPD had the houndstooth pattern. This survivor 71 Demon has a mat like yours, also an Oct 1970 SPD (Hamtramk car), probably multiple vendors or a running change.

*I did notice that the rubber has a different texture on the back sides on the houndstooth version.

I was just poking around on Year One's website and they show an ACC mat color & pattern like Scott's black-over-tan plaid. No idea what the texture/material/cuts are, but they seem to only have it for '70 Darts and don't list it for Dusters.

I still am convinced some of these cars, maybe late builds, maybe the factory ran out and used industrial jute instead. My car is green and has a green felt/jute mat, seems a perfect cut which cannot be too easy as it is thick. I would think unless machine cut, the edges would be frayed. I have seen pics online of other 1971 Darts/Dusters etc. with this type trunk mat in different colors, usually black or gray. I cannot find a factory part number on mine though.

Scott, actually the REM "rubber" trunk mat material isn't too bad. I compared to a late 60's B body pad and its very OK.

I agree the colors are inverted on the gray. Being relatively new to the business I agree it's tough to duplicate some old stuff with modern materials but to get the colors wrong and the shape so wrong. I just don't understand that. And then to not take constructive criticism and try to improve the product.... Must be nice to be that position.

The early 70's printed on Jute mats may never be available. That would be a REAL project to duplicate that. Google Burtex and see if anyone can find a manufacturer. I'd be interested. Heck, I'd pay a significant finders fee for the detective work to find a Burtex manufacturer of roll material with the facing. Again I know some Fords used Burtex and there a real bad version someone is selling. It literally looks like a burlap bag with a vinyl skin glued to it

The Burtex would likely hold up better than the compressed rubber stuff that is so prone to cracking. If you ever end up with a better material and print match I can supply a Duster pattern so at least the die cut can be dead on.

Those REM mats has been around for years. I agree there is a huge need for correct trunk mats. Weren't the originals also molded? Seems like they weren't just flat material cut out. Or maybe the original's I've seen, were molded from 40 years of laying in a trunk. LOL.

They were cut flat Jim.

The speckled one will look good in your splatter painted trunk. lol

Just an FYI for anyone using the REM trunk mats. Don't use any kind of harsh cleaner on it! I bought something in the swap meet at a show, and got grease or something on the one in my Challenger. Wiped it up when I got home, and then used a rag with diluted purple stuff to get the oily film off. Well.....it came off, along with the gray plaid pattern! I guess that's what I get for using the trunk to actually haul stuff!!!

Has anyone tried these guys?

It looks like they will sell sheets of Burtex and have about 30 patterns.

https://originalauto.com/products/trunk-mats/

I haven't but I will

Let me know how it works! Otherwise im holding out for DMT

Scott, I call and got a sample of that Burtex from ACC, which I guess is the same stuff that the other company sells also. It is about as close as we are gonna get to original now, but it doesn't have anywhere near the correct backing. Other than that it will do till somebody starts making the correct one.

Well I have a few issues with what I've seen from everyone so far:

First off the material is wrong from all vendors so far, which for me is the easiest to live with but with some research could likely be improved.

The second is the pattern match to original, which isn't even close. Modern printing technology and a little effort should result in a far better end result.

Then there's die cut, which IMO is inexcusable, if you start with an original, even a torn up one, matching the die cut would be the easiest to match.

I agree with you 100%, I for the life of me can't understand after all the effort that these companies put into repo products they can't go the extra 1% and get it right. I have that horrible REM mat in my Road Runner right now, and the Burtex from Acc isn't right either, but compared to that POS I have it's a big improvement. I'd about pay the big money to get a NOS one. This is for most of the things we buy for our cars. I finally have brake lines that don't leak after going through all three brands on the market.

I bought a tan plaid (for my '67) from Legendary 20 years ago. It's held up well and fit the filler tube and jack mounts fine. Can't speak to the originality of the colors or material. I'll see if I have a photo -remind me if I forget.