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Recommendation for best factory style trunk mat

Polara 500 707

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Looking for which company makes the best replacement trunk mat for a 64 Polara. They aren’t crazy expensive, so I don’t mind spending a few dollars more to get the nicest one available. A few companies list them as trim to fit up against the tail light panel. I’m thinking a quick high-quality one will fit nicely because it’s cut from the factory original template.

Year one only lists 63 to 65 Belvederes. Not sure if their trunk was different than the Polara on the inside. Might call them tomorrow. Not sure I want to wait 1 to 4 weeks for one anyway. Any insight is appreciated!
 
You might try Classic - I think that’s where I bought mine. It looked just like the original
 
And don’t get the fleece backed ones. Get the ones that say rubber. They stay in place and are much heavier and lay down better. The fleece backed ones are glorified table clothes
 
Trunk mats are basically all coming from two sources, ACC Carpet or REM. As a vendor to both manufactures, one mat may fit considerably better than the other based on the year model or body style. That is where you have to know what is the best fit based on the application. With that said, neither manufacture makes a true mat that does not need some possible tweaking for best fit.

The issue with the early B-Body mats were that they were vacuum formed to fit the contours of the trunk pan. The REM mats are not formed and will not fit the trunk pan as the originals did. The ACC mats for that particular year is vacuum formed and for that particular year model and body style is your best bet.

This is another one of those situations of vendors stocking only one manufactures product or not knowing the issues of the product. That is where pricing can be so deceptive. You are not purchasing similar products in this situation.

Hopes that this helps in your decision.
 
That is a very good point. When looking at pricing on the mats, many vendors only stock the vinyl mats which as stated above is basically a thin material similar to a table cloth or shower curtain. I will not stock or sell these as they are completely wrong.

The correct mats are a heavy rubber style material which are significantly heavier and cannot be folded up like a piece of paper.
 
Trunk mats are basically all coming from two sources, ACC Carpet or REM. As a vendor to both manufactures, one mat may fit considerably better than the other based on the year model or body style. That is where you have to know what is the best fit based on the application. With that said, neither manufacture makes a true mat that does not need some possible tweaking for best fit.

The issue with the early B-Body mats were that they were vacuum formed to fit the contours of the trunk pan. The REM mats are not formed and will not fit the trunk pan as the originals did. The ACC mats for that particular year is vacuum formed and for that particular year model and body style is your best bet.

This is another one of those situations of vendors stocking only one manufactures product or not knowing the issues of the product. That is where pricing can be so deceptive. You are not purchasing similar products in this situation.

Hopes that this helps in your decision.
yeah i agree got the rem version its ok but nothing like the older replacement one that was discolored. 67 b body version here. Plus the material has different pattern going diagonal from left to right, rem one diagonally right ti left.
 
I have light surface rust on the trunk floor under my mat. I’ve been told by many that the OEM trunk mats trap moisture, and that I should just remove it.
Do modern versions of these trunk mats somehow address this? I guess if they’re “rubber”, they cause the same problem?
I’d like to find some sort of a “breathable” material that replicates the OEM trunk mats.
 
yeah i agree got the rem version its ok but nothing like the older replacement one that was discolored. 67 b body version here. Plus the material has different pattern going diagonal from left to right, rem one diagonally right ti left.

I just got my REM mat and tried it out for fitment. Not very happy with the fitment for what I paid. I feel like I could’ve gotten about equal quality for less money with classic industries. Pretty disappointed.

As far as the trunk pan that goes under the mat, I am going to use some roll on bedliner. Figure that should give a decent barrier for moisture. I live in California, so luckily moisture isn’t too much of a problem.
 
Any rubber mat will trap moisture if it gets in there. New mats don’t address it. If the trunk stays dry (no trunk seal or rear window issues) and it was painted with modern materials, epoxy, base, clear, then it’s not likely to rust. You would have to have a lot of condensation for it to really trap and screw anything up.

Just for reference, I got the ACC mat for my 67 R/T. Great fit and as close to the original mat thickness as you can get. The REM stuff looks like a joke. Also, ACC had the houndstooth pattern that I was trying to match.
 
If your looking for the better fitting mat for a 64 Dodge B-Body, then the vacuum formed mat from ACC would have been a better fit for your application. As I posted above, different mats and manufactures have different issues depending upon the model year and body style. I am sure that Classic is selling either the ACC or REM mat as I am not familiar with them making their own trunk mats.

Whether you use the thin vinyl or heavier rubber style mat, there is the possibility of having moisture trapped under the mat. This can be from condensation or a pesky leak. If there is any exposed bare metal, then there will be the threat of rust. But most of these cars now days live pretty pampered lives and that threat is not that great.
 
Here in Illinois the moisture under the trunk mat was solved by always leaving the deck lid of the Plymouth open while parked in the garage, California car cover installed. I used to have to remove all items and the mat to keep that sneaky condensation from forming. I have both types of mats and at lease this tip keeps em dry.
 
I learned decades ago to roll the mat up and take it out until you're ready to leave for a car show. Bird is pretty crusty under the OE mat. That said I have my shop cranked down to 30% humidity, so not worrying about it too much these days with fresh paint on the Bee.
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If your looking for the better fitting mat for a 64 Dodge B-Body, then the vacuum formed mat from ACC would have been a better fit for your application. As I posted above, different mats and manufactures have different issues depending upon the model year and body style. I am sure that Classic is selling either the ACC or REM mat as I am not familiar with them making their own trunk mats.

Whether you use the thin vinyl or heavier rubber style mat, there is the possibility of having moisture trapped under the mat. This can be from condensation or a pesky leak. If there is any exposed bare metal, then there will be the threat of rust. But most of these cars now days live pretty pampered lives and that threat is not that great.


Pampered, pampered I resemble that remark..... gotta go I think I saw a cloud and need to get the Coronet in the garage ;)
 
Slightly off topic, but referring to the photo above... is that the correct installation of the spare wheel & jack parts (wheel > round flange > jack base, bottom up > jack hook > wing nut)?
I ask, because I’m missing the instruction sticker(s) that I think was on the underside of the trunk lid, back in the day. Are those stickers available as reproductions?
 
Slightly off topic, but referring to the photo above... is that the correct installation of the spare wheel & jack parts (wheel > round flange > jack base, bottom up > jack hook > wing nut)?
I ask, because I’m missing the instruction sticker(s) that I think was on the underside of the trunk lid, back in the day. Are those stickers available as reproductions?
Yes they are. Look on Classic Industries or Year One websites
 
Now that Dave Walden has passed I don’t know if ECS will continue to develop products but they recently came out with concours correct trunk mats for E bodies, perhaps the B will follow
 
It is great that Dave and his team went to the extent to develop an OEM quality mat for the E-Body market. I know that ECS has talked of doing some of the other mats, but I personally do not see the economical feasibility in the current market place. ECS has been promoting the mats at the $150 price point as compared to the ACC / REM mats that retail in the $50 range. Everyone complains about the fit and appearance of the mats, yet they will end up purchasing one of the even cheaper vinyl mats for $40.

I know in providing some information on the early B-Body trunk mats, I was told that a print head to do the correct pattern and colors for a mat was in the $30,000 price range. That does not include producing the correct heavy weight material or anything else. So needless to say, you would have to sell a huge number of mats or price them out of the market price.
 
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