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History / OriginalityGot a question about 1982-1992 Camaro or Firebird history? Have a question about original parts, options, RPO codes, when something was available, or how to document your car? Those questions, answers, and much more!
It's possible you could special order a different color carpet, but if doubt that's the case here. The carpet looks very new in the pictures. I know the red carpet was difficult color to match in some years. If you can get a picture of the pedal pads under the drivers mat, might be able to tell if it's factory or replacement.
My memory and a search of ebay says that Camaros came with color keyed carpeting during these years. The GM Heritage material, which includes brochures, does not mention carpet color so I guess we can't be 100% sure, but I'm pretty sure.
The seller references that the car has the rare copper interior. So it could be that he couldn't find a copper carpet set so put in a black set instead from Year One or whatever.
Of course, that makes one wonder why a 10,500 mile car would need new carpeting. It is certainly an interesting mystery but my best guess is the carpeting was replaced on this one, though given GM's sometimes lax build practices in those years, maybe GM ran out of the copper carpet and just threw in the black carpeting. That wouldn't knock me out of my chair.
I just can't picture factory copper colored carpet...
Then again why does a 10,000 mile car have aftermarket front floor mats? Was the carpet indeed copper at one point and was changed to black, and the owner couldnt source original mats?
The car came with a black carpet. It would not have come with a red carpet since the interior is not red......it is the copper cloth as stated in the listing. If you see any others with this color interior then you would see that they also have a black carpet.
- n20injectd
Reply I got. Guess there aren't many to compare against so... who knows!
I'm sorry but you are not correct. The name of your interior is "Dark Russet" and there was a matching carpet. I can email pictures and links if you like.
Someone has changed the carpet in your car at some point. If you are the original owner, the dealer may have swapped it out for some strange reason.
To which he sent me an email (not a message through eBay, so it wasn't traceable in case they wanted to):
According to the dealer paperwork and order form, it is listed as copper cloth. Either way, it is what it is so if you're not interested in the car then stop wasting my time. Thank you.
And my final reply:
“It is what it is” is hardly a viable comment to make when selling a supposedly all original “one owner” car. The car has a very obvious originality flaw which raises questions as to the car’s history; especially one with such low mileage. Was it a stripped theft recovery? Who knows. But these are things that collectors worry about and, judging by your price, that’s your target market.
I won’t bother you further; just know there are people out there who pay attention to this stuff. The people you’re trying to sell to.
Just bugs me when people either try and take advantage of the ignorant or simply don't care about facts.
I'd have to agree with everyone else, carpet's probably been replaced. Only thing I see that leads me to believe otherwise is the seatbelts...if the car had Copper interior, the seatbelts should be Copper too...unless they dyed them or switched them with the carpet.
I'm not sure I've seen an RPO for a ThirdGen's carpet color when I believe it's just an RPO code for general interior color? Some things don't really show up on an SPID as an RPO code and so it's not always that easy.
A similar example is on the GTAs and their badges. Normally, the GTAs received color coordinated badges but there's been examples of some flame red GTAs received the bright red badges. Frankie from GTASourcepage can confirm that. However, there's really no RPO code on the SPID for something like that.
Originally Posted by mantaguy
Ask to see the SPID,that would prove or disprove the question.
Yea,your right,it doesn't list a RPO Code for Carpet.That car just doesn't look right with the Black Carpet with the rest being a different color.Most or all of the 3rd gens that I've ever seen were color coordinated with the trim,seat belts and seats.Pontiac anyway.
A contrasting color change for carpet was a no cost option processed through the appropriate Zone Office representing the dealership.
A neutral color such as black was easy to get through the process for other colors not so easy.
Not all cars came from the factory with floor mats....
Floor Mats were an Option in 86 and a very inexpensive one at that.You could get the Mats for $20.00 for the fronts and $15.00 for the rears.Wow should have bought a couple sets back then.
[QdoedE=tod y02ws6;5757848]I'd have to agree with everyone else, carpet's probably been replaced. Only thing I see that leads me to believe otherwise is the seatbelts...if the car had Copper interior, the seatbelts should be Copper too...unless they dyed them or switched them with the carpet.[/QUOTE]
I double checked and I see no reference in the GM Heritage material to carpet color in the '86 Camaro packet.
As to the custom order argument, maybe you could make changes like that but why would someone go through the hassle for a carpet color? That makes no sense.
My guess is either the carpet was changed - - which would be weird on a 10,000 mile car -- or the factory ran out of the copper carpet and just threw in the black set. GM was pretty loose during those years so that's entirely possible.
In other words, until someone goes out and looks at the car let's not crucify the guy!
Somethings definetly amiss here. Look at the side of the console, should be carpet and it's not. What are those three silver screw/rivet heads? Seat belt buckles and carpet should be russet/copper color. For those keeping score that is a 68B interior. Copper base cloth.
Somethings definetly amiss here. Look at the side of the console, should be carpet and it's not. What are those three silver screw/rivet heads? Seat belt buckles and carpet should be russet/copper color. For those keeping score that is a 68B interior. Copper base cloth.
My '89 has no carpet on the console or the kick panels. And you can see those rivets on mine as well.
Seller of the car is in East Northport, New York, which is near the coast. My guess is Hurricane/Superstorm Sandy.
The carpet on console was an option, I think they usually had carpet on the rear panels on that option too. "Deluxe upholstery" or something like that.
I would be totally willing to believe there was a different color carpet ordered, but the seller stated that all copper interiors got that black carpet and we know that's not true.
Still possible it's a 10k mile car, but if it was parked outside, carpet and seatbelts can get badly sun faded. Maybe seats are too, just can't see it.
Copper (exterior only?) was only available in 1985 for the Camaro (11,406) with the exception being two in 1986. The interior is often listed as custom but I'm not sure if the sticker in the console and/or door would list the correct number for copper interior or not. It is also known as russet either in Canada and/or for the Firebird. When I was looking for paint codes the two names seemed to be interchangeable. I don't know what year/s copper was available for Firebirds though.
Sometimes it's possible to tell after-market carpet from the differences in the shape of the carpet protector for the heel on the floor, and upper foot along the side of the tunnel. After market carpet will also sometimes lose it's dye when cleaned and/or fades to a greenish color iirc. IMO, if the seatbelt were copper they would stick out too much so I would see the factory going with black if that were the case. The belts are on recall too so I can see either the factory or individuals swapping to black as well. I think I remember that actually happening for less common colors. It looks like the retractors are copper so a mismatch there? What color are the rear belts then?
Looking at the ad the seats appear to be in incredibly good shape as they seem to fade more easily than other colors (as do seat belts). Also rear carpet and plastics fade as well but not pictured. Both the interior and exterior typically turns pinkish over time. The seats do appear to be from 1986 vs. 1985 but I'm not positive if/when the style may have changed vs. options etc.
I've never seen white with copper like that before. I like the black though as it breaks up what can sometimes be overwhelming and I considered as an option for mine if I couldn't match the color. I know a lot of people complained about the color of my interior and IMO it probably won't be high on a collectors list unless they are specifically looking for it. IIRC, I sent for a sample (listed as russet or saddle) a while back from a sponsor here but never received it.
Is the paint peeling here? Not sure if that it typical?
The rally wheels also don't look right. Attachment on drivers water bottle is white. Mirrors are black? Not sure if that's correct or not either.
Overall it might be worth the $5k it's listed at this time (maybe $3k? lol), but $7 seems high to me considering IROCs and such are more desirable. Plus it has a cracked dash pad. I wouldn't argue with the guy since it will only give them easy info to correct and/or hide things that make it easier for buyers to spot.
Last edited by Scorpner; May 2, 2014 at 10:53 AM.
Reason: rephrase
I think your on to something with the Hurricane Sandy thing. He might of just got the thing put back together after the storm took it out and flooded the heck out of it!
I never saw that ad for the interior before. I'm glad that it didn't get thrown out at least. 
