The MGA carpet set is supplied in two parts, a front set covering the floor pan, transmission and propeller shaft tunnels and the heelboard behind the seats, and a rear set covering the area behind the seats appropriate to roadster or coupé fitment. Together, the two sets renew the entire interior carpet area in a single project. Both are cut to the original Crossley's Karvel pattern fitted to the car when new, with the original layout of edge-binding and underlay reproduced where appropriate.
MGA Front Carpet Set
The front carpet set covers the area forward of and immediately behind the seats: the front floor pan, the gearbox tunnel, the propeller shaft tunnel and the heelboard. The set incorporates the gearbox dipstick cover flap, which on original cars was edge-bound, and the rear edges of the front and intermediate tunnel carpets, which were also edge-bound, the only edge-binding used on the original carpet. The set sits on felt underlay (also supplied) under the front floor and tunnels, replicating the layered specification fitted at the factory. The front set is the largest single carpet component and is the one most prone to wear in service, particularly at the heel area in front of each seat, the gear lever surround and the entry point onto the floor as the door is opened.
MGA Rear Carpet Set
The rear carpet set covers the area behind the seats. On the roadster, this is comparatively limited, the rear sections lay directly without underlay, and the battery access hatch was originally left uncovered. On the coupé, the rear set extends further to take in the rear quarter areas of the cabin and (unlike the roadster) covers the battery access hatch, which on coupés was always carpeted.
When ordering the rear set, specifying roadster or coupé fitment is essential to ensure the supplied pieces match the bodyshell layout.
Material and Colour
Both front and rear sets are cut from a hard-wearing cut-pile carpet appropriate to MGA interior use, supplied in colours matching the original specification. Black was the standard colour fitted to most MGAs throughout production, with possible exceptions on very early 1500 cars where carpet may have been toned to the interior trim colour. Colour-matched sets are available where a non-black interior is being restored to original specification.
Restoration vs Practical Use
The original Crossley's Karvel carpet was a quality material in its day, but with sixty-plus years of road use almost no original sets remain in serviceable condition. Reproduction sets are produced to the original cut and pattern, and with careful fitting will sit correctly on the floor pan and tunnels without bunching or gaps. Owners restoring a car to concours or original-correct standard will want to confirm that the set follows the original edge-binding and underlay arrangement; owners maintaining a regularly used car will be more concerned with practical wear life than precise authenticity to the original Crossley's specification.
Fitting Considerations
The seats, gear lever surround and (where fitted) the centre console must be removed before the carpet can be lifted. With the carpet out, the floor pan should be inspected for corrosion, particularly along the inner sill area, around the seat mounting points and at the front of the footwells where moisture tends to accumulate. Any soundproofing being added, bituminous panels for the floor pan or felt underlay for under the carpet, is most easily fitted with the carpet out and the floor exposed. Carpet adhesive should be used at the edges and around the gearbox dipstick cover flap to prevent the carpet from lifting in service.
Once the carpet is in position, the seats and trim are refitted on top.
Ordering Considerations
Two points should be confirmed before ordering. First, whether the car is a roadster or a coupé, since the rear set differs substantially between the two body styles. Second, the desired colour, black is the safe default for most cars, but matched colours are available where a specific interior scheme is being maintained. Front and rear sets can be ordered together as a complete carpet renewal or individually where only one part of the interior carpet has reached the end of its serviceable life.