VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1929-1932 '31 Sedan front floor mat

I'm about to replace my "universal" ribbed rubber floor mat with a "correct" version.
I've found two nice quality repops - supposedly exact copies of the original, with the "Fisher" logo. One is "rubber mat only" and the other has jute backing. They're both expensive, but the 'padded' one is significantly more. Is one more correct than the other?

And while I'm on the subject, how do you guys check the battery without eventually ruining the floor mat? I've peeled mine back so many times, it's torn in several places. I don't want an expensive replacement to suffer the same. [And don't tell me to buy an Optima - I've used them on some other cars (12V), and they're NOT worth the cost to me.]

The mats are 145.00 plus shipping from Gary Wallace w/bowties & Fisher emblem. He may have the jute but if not you can get that at any upholstery supply shop. Is that about what you're looking at?...Joe

Now, I'm confused (as usual).
I've seen bowties, ribs, and circles. Some with, some without the Fisher logo (just behind the shifter?). Of course, all claiming to be "correct".
I take it, there's a jute pad underneath? (Mine has none.)
What's right?

The correct front floormat for a 1931 sedan has the Chevrolet bow-ties and a Body By Fisher emblem in the center of the mat by the gearshift lever. The open cars, like the roadster and the phaeton did not have the Body By Fisher emblem in the mat because those bodies were made by Chevrolet and not Fisher.

Also, the mat had a jute backing but the jute backing did not come all the way to the edge of the mat. The jute backing was recessed back from the edge of the mat so that it would lay flat on the floor by the edge of the door sills.

Well...
If it ever comes up again...

One of the (not Chevrolet) suppliers was kind enough to email me an explanation:
All of the Fisher bodies were essentially the same, except for sheet metal and finishing detail. The floors are structurally interchangeable, so all these mats will "fit". But to differentiate makes, it was about the detail. Buick had "ribs", Oldsmobile had "circles", and Chevrolet had "bowties". (He wasn't sure about Pontiac, Cadillac, and the other makes, but believes they each had their own detail.)
He also told me that ONE company makes all these available repops, so there probably isn't any difference in quality.

And they're all WAY more than that $145. GW-$225, FS-$199.50 (Buick & Olds- $200+)

...so, what about checking that battery?

Gary Wallace sent me pictures of the mats he sells & it matches the one I've had on the shelf for a few years. Unfortunatly rubber gets harder with age & with checking the battery it's going to do it all over again but maybe with a new one it will be better for a few years. Send me your e-mai address & I'll forward you the e-mail Gary sent me...Joe

jiaccino@amphi.com

I've use WD-40 on my floor mat and after 12 years it's still soft and pliable. It doesn't have the jute backing on it so I've been able to do both sides.

I just replaced the mat (bought from Gary Wallace) and re-enforced the underside of the mat with Gorilla Tape at the stress points.

Gorilla Tape is a good choice! It's the only brand I buy! Because it's made in the USA! Al W.

JYD, how far back is the jute recessed?
Jim

Going by memory here, but as I remember about 3 or 4 inches.