Carpet sets are among the most transformative items in a TD or TF interior restoration, with fitment specific to drive side and chassis-number range for LHD cars. The original factory carpeting was black Karvel with mostly unbound edges. Today's superior-quality replacement sets offer a wider choice of colours, allowing a plush custom interior, black is the only original factory colour.
Original Carpet Specification
The TD interior used black Karvel carpet throughout. The gearbox tunnel was carpeted over a steel pressing, with edges behind the gear lever and handbrake bracket bound in Rexine. A small carpet-covered plug gave access to the dipstick. The floor carpet had underfelt beneath, but the toeboard was pressed steel painted black.
Floorboards were revised at chassis TD/22407 in November 1952. On the TF the heelboard behind the seats was carpeted, an improvement over the TD's painted heelboard.
Replacement Carpet Sets
Superior-quality carpet sets are available in black (the original factory specification), green, and red, with separate part numbers for right-hand drive and left-hand drive applications. Each set includes a leather gear lever gaiter (the original was a sewn leather gaiter) and a rubber footwell mat on the driver's side, with bound edges where originally featured. TD sets include rear deck carpet as a bonus, an area not originally covered on the TD but a popular addition that tidies the tonneau floor.
Driver's Floor Provision
A separate heel mat for the driver's side floor is catalogued for RHD TDs, RHD TFs, and early LHD TDs to chassis 4236. From chassis TD/4237 in November 1950, the LHD driver's footwell was altered, and a different driver's-side floor carpet piece is required for later LHD TDs and all LHD TFs, this is catalogued as a separate item rather than as part of the main carpet set. LHD owners should confirm their chassis number when ordering.
Carpet Fixings, Carpet Clips
The general-purpose carpet-to-floorboard fixing uses a carpet clip set comprising spiked rings and sockets supplied as a complete set. The spiked ring is pressed through the carpet from the upper face, with its prongs clinching into the socket fitted to the floorboard below, a positive but non-permanent fixing that allows the carpet to be lifted for cleaning or inspection. Individual rings and sockets are catalogued for replacement.
Carpet Fixings, Durable Dot Fasteners
Durable Dot fasteners secure specific carpet sections to the floorboards. The male Durable Dot is fitted to the floorboard with a self-tapping screw (also catalogued individually), and the matching female component is fitted to the underside of the carpet. The male and female engage with a positive snap fit that holds the carpet in place but releases easily when needed. A complete Durable Dot set of ten male fasteners is available, as are individual male components and screws.
Carpet Fixings, Lift-the-Dot Fasteners
Lift-the-Dot fasteners are used where the carpet meets the bulkhead and other vertical surfaces, different from the floorboard-mounted Durable Dot in that the Lift-the-Dot mechanism allows quick disengagement by pulling the lift tab on the female component. Lift-the-Dot socket assemblies are supplied individually or in a set of four. Lift-the-Dot studs (the male component fitted to the bulkhead) are supplied in a set of eight with 2BA nuts, or as individual studs with 2BA nut.
Upholstery Adhesives
Upholstery adhesive is catalogued in both a 500-millilitre tin and a 400-millilitre aerosol for owners undertaking carpet fitting work. Adhesive is the principal alternative to mechanical fasteners for areas where the carpet meets vertical surfaces or curved transitions where studs and clips would be visually intrusive. The tin is the practical choice for larger applications; the aerosol is convenient for smaller areas and tight corners.
Ordering Considerations
The carpet set is specified by drive side (RHD or LHD); colour is customer preference, with black as the original factory specification. LHD owners should confirm chassis number and order the appropriate driver's-side floor piece, heel mat for early LHD TDs (to chassis 4236), or the separate driver's footwell carpet for later LHD TDs (from 4237) and all LHD TFs. Carpet fixings (clip set, Durable Dot, Lift-the-Dot fasteners) are common to TD and TF. Upholstery adhesive is supplied in tin or aerosol.
All fastener components are catalogued individually and in sets.