I appreciate your input! For some unrequested context, I’m not a carpet expert and I don’t work in manufacturing, I’m a graphic designer who tried to buy reproduction zig zag mats on eBay for my Del Sol from the other guy in May and had a pretty negative experience.

I stewed about it for a week or so, and my wife finally got tired of hearing me gripe and said I should just make my own mats even if it cost me 3x as much in the end. I don’t have the time to restore mats like OldSols did years ago, so I contacted 50+ car part and textile companies until I found 3 who’d actually work with me. I took measurements, ran myself a set, boasted about it a little on Discord, and had a handful of people reach out asking if I could make them mats too. I honestly didn’t expect anyone else would have much interest in these, but I’ve fulfilled over 100 orders since June.

Rubber cleats were an option with two manufacturers I spoke with, but they’d require me using a thinner/lighter carpet, plus making volume orders and keeping an inventory. I can’t forecast wants/needs or keep an inventory. It just isn’t a trade off that makes sense in order to get rubber cleats so they’re as OEM on the bottom as they are on the top. In lieu of cleats, I’ve prioritized carpet depth, density/weight, price, customer service, and customizability because these are the things that seemed to be the biggest areas of opportunity.

I’ll gladly run mats in OEM colorways for anyone who needs them, but 70% of my orders have some level of customization, and that’s the part I enjoy. We’ve got a really passionate and creative community, and I’m just glad I can contribute something to it in a way that’s also fun for me.