1968‑1982 Corvette C3 Carpet Replacement: Period‑Correct & Restomod?
June 13, 2025
Why the C3 “Shark” Interior Deserves New Carpet
GM built more than half‑a‑million C3s, yet UV fade, moisture and heel‑pad wear have left many “Sharks” looking tired. Fresh, molded carpet restores color depth, reduces heat & road noise, and can earn NCRS judging points when done with correct material and stitch patterns.
Loop vs Cut‑Pile: Year‑by‑Year Changes
| Model Years | Factory Carpet | How to Identify “Deluxe” Interior |
|---|---|---|
| 1968‑1969 | 80/20 Loop | Door bottoms are vinyl (no carpet), narrow sill plates. (Cut-pile not period correct) |
| 1970‑1975 | Loop (Std.) Cut‑Pile (Deluxe) |
Lower door panels & rear storage doors trimmed in carpet; usually paired with leather seats. |
| 1976‑1982 | Cut‑Pile (standard) Essex upgrade optional |
All late C3s use plush cut‑pile; Essex offers modern luxury feel. (Loop not period correct) |
Convertible vs T‑Top Coupe
C3 coupes and “roadsters” (convertibles) were available 1968‑1975; July 1975 marked the final soft‑top until the C4 re‑launch in 1986. From 1976‑1982 every Corvette left St. Louis as a t-top coupe. All C3 corvettes where is it has a small block or big block have tremendous heat issues in the foot wells, and floor pans. —another reason thicker Mass‑Backing carpet is popular on these cars.
Special Editions: 1978 Silver Anniversary, 1978 Pace Car, & 1982 Collector’s Edition
🥈 1978 Silver Anniversary Edition
The 1978 Corvette Silver Anniversary celebrated 25 years of America’s sports car with two-tone silver/charcoal paint and upscale interior trim. Carpet materials matched standard coupe specs, and should be ordered in 7075 Oyster / Shale to replicate the original look and is essential for authenticity in concours restorations or NCRS-judged events.
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Original Interior: “Oyster” light gray‑beige cut‑pile carpet paired with matching door panels and seats
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Best Color Match: 7075 Oyster (or 8023 Oyster), cut‑pile material, replicates the factory Oyster tone used in the anniversary trims.
🏁 1978 Indy 500 Pace Car Edition
The 1978 Corvette Indy 500 Pace Car Edition was the first Corvette to pace the Indianapolis 500. It featured a unique silver interior with a specially dyed silver cut-pile carpet that set it apart from standard C3 models, which typically used black or oyster tones. This custom shade was designed to complement the car’s bold two-tone exterior and silver-trimmed interior. Today, the closest match for restoration is 1804 Silver cut-pile, which replicates the original look and is essential for authenticity in concours restorations or NCRS-judged events.
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Original Interior: Silver cut‑pile carpet to match the black-over-silver paint with red pin‑striping. Featured specific door-panel inserts and floor mats styled to Indy decals.
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Best Color Match: 1804 Silver cut‑pile
🚗 1982 Collector’s Edition
In 1982, Corvette marked the end of C3 production with the Collector’s Edition. This model featured a frameless rear liftable glass hatch (a C3 first), bronze-tinted roof panels, and featured a distinctive shade of carpet and trim not used on any other Corvette. Known as 7593 Beige, this color was specially dyed to complement the car’s champagne silver exterior and two-tone leather seats. No other C3—before or after—used this specific hue, making it critical for accuracy in high-level restorations or NCRS judging..
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Original Interior: Featured unique 7593 Beige cut‑pile carpet exclusive to the Collector’s edition—designed to complement the champagne-silver finish and tan/cream leather.
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Best Color Match: 7593 Beige cut-pile
Factory Interiors offers this rare color exclusively in our 1982 Corvette C3 Carpet Replacement – Cutpile – Collector’s Edition 7593 Beige kit. This set includes:
- 15 molded pieces for a full interior restoration
- Pre-bonded jute backing & correct heel pad
- Optional mass backing for sound & heat insulation
If you're restoring an '82 Collector’s Edition, using 7593 Beige ensures visual and historical accuracy—both for resale value and concours authenticity.
✅ Summary Table
| Edition | Year(s) | Original Carpet Color | ACC Match |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silver Anniversary Edition | 1978 | Oyster (light gray‑beige) | 7075 Oyster/Shale or 8023 Oyster |
| Indy 500 Pace Car | 1978 | Silver Cut‑Pile | 1804 Silver Cut‑Pile |
| Collector’s Edition | 1982 | 7593 Beige Cut‑Pile | 7593 Beige Cut‑Pile |
Featured Factory Interiors Carpet Kits
- 1971-1975 Corvette C3 Carpet Replacement - Deluxe Cutpile - Complete | Fits: Coupe, Auto, Complete with Pad
- 1971-1975 Corvette C3 Carpet Replacement - Loop - Complete | Fits: Coupe, Auto, Complete with Pad
- 191981-1982 Corvette C3 Carpet Replacement - Cutpile - Complete | Fits: Complete
- 1981‑1982 Corvette C3 Carpet Replacement — Cut‑Pile — Complete – 15‑piece kit covers console strips, kick panels & door bottoms.
Why Choose Factory Interiors Kits?
- Exact GM Floor‑Pan Molds: press‑molded for glove‑fit contours; minor trimming only.
- Material Choice: OE 80/20 loop, nylon cut‑pile, or Essex luxury plush for resto-rod builds.
- Upgrade Backings: Poly (OEM standard) or 45‑mil Mass‑Backing for sound & heat reduction.
- Pre‑bonded Jute & Stitched Heel‑Pads match NCRS specifications for pad size and rib count.
- Made by ACC – Auto Custom Carpets: approved supplier in NCRS judging manuals.
Installation Tips From the C3 Community
- Warm the molded pieces in the sun or with a heat gun; they relax and drop perfectly into foot‑wells.
- Mark seat‑belt bolt holes from below with an awl to avoid crooked cuts.
- Dry‑fit everything, then glue vertical risers first with high‑temp spray; gravity holds horizontals.
- Use chalk or painter’s tape to outline console and shifter openings before trimming.
- Add butyl rope around rear storage compartments to keep exhaust heat out.
NCRS Judging Reminders
The 1968‑82 NCRS Technical & Judging Guides note deductions for incorrect material (e.g., cut‑pile in a non‑deluxe ’69) or missing heel‑pad ribbing. ACC kits from Factory Interiors are molded from original GM patterns and may be accepted by judges when ordered in correct spec.
Ready to Refresh Your Shark?
Whether you’re chasing Top‑Flight or building a pro‑touring restomod, Factory Interiors has the carpet kit, sound‑deadener and tech support to get your C3’s cockpit looking—and smelling—factory fresh. Order today and rediscover why the “Shark” is still America’s sports‑car icon.
