I cannot tell a lie, this carpet thing is just one example (of many) that infuriates me with so many giant online sellers who have decided to nudge themselves into this industry... They're not interested in best-quality, and/or knowledgeable of it. Nope, they're just interested in "selling you stuff", commonly using the lure of the attractive low price, and to hell with the rest... Just give us your money please. It's a pox on the classic car hobby.
OK, rant off, information time on.
1. I cannot imagine anyone buying a cut-pile or Essex carpet for a genuine Mach 1... Unless you're doing a resto-mod, and you prefer cut pile carpet.
2. It indeed is a bit tough, even on the ACC website, to find a reference to the actual name "Raylon". But it's hidden in there, on their site, and I've screen-shot and highlighted the critical differences between Nylon and Raylon below...
3. It's right there in black & white, Nylon loop is 12 oz of yarn per square yard, Raylon loop is 20 oz of yarn per square yard. But it goes even beyond what they state there.. The Raylon loop replicates the twisted loops tufted in random patterns like original carpet. The Nylon loop is not twisted, and tufted in rows. Raylon is also more durable, 16.5 denier thread versus 14 denier for Nylon.
4. A Nylon loop ACC carpet is 40% cheaper than a Raylon loop ACC carpet. This is why you find such amazingly cheap carpet deals at Rockauto, OC Auto Carpets, Automotive Interiors, Amazon, CJ's, etc... They're only feeding you the bottom-barrel Nylon for loop carpeting, but they're not telling you what it is, or that there's a far-superior and more-like-original choice. Why bother? They've already got you on price, and unless you've already got a Raylon carpet in another car, you'll never know the difference.
This comparison and dynamic exists across the spectrum of restoration parts, not just carpeting. There are 1,000+ other examples in classic Mustang parts. So buying parts from a company that appears cheap, but otherwise isn't really in the business of caring, all-too-often you're going to get what you paid for. And since I know I'm reeking of the appearance of pimping NPD with this post, I'll put it out there that I believe Kentucky and Virginia also have a history of caring. Sourcing is important.
We still carry the Nylon sets for customers who have drivers, or who are really budget-driven. But we offer you the CHOICE, we don't trick you into thinking there's only one type of loop carpet at ACC.
As usual, I apologize for the length!! I dive into rabbit holes, and run and run and run... LOL...
Rick
NPD
P.S. I forgot, if an online seller is claiming to "upgrade" you to "80/20" carpet, run away... They are lying to you. 80/20 has been extinct for over 20 years, ACC doesn't have it, it no longer exists. This advice is more important for the 1965-1967 Mustang owners.
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