It's a 1967 Pontiac Firebird 400 convertible.

Bought it last year in August. I sold my 2001 Trans Am because I wanted an old car. I also have a 1957 Nash metropolitan and spouse has a 1965 Corvette Stingray.

I'd spray the back with febreze and put it flat in a big plastic bag for a few hours, then just lay it flat to dry. I'm betting the smell is the smell of the stuff it's made of, and no longer than fabric lays on a cutting board that it would not transfer to it. I love your car also.. I have a 1972 VW Beetle that I'm re-doing and a 1964 Meyers Manx.

I'm interested to know if the vinegar and airing it helped. Were you able to to that today?

I hope you can get the smell out...some types of materials sure do stink...wish they could figure out how to use different components to avoid this issue!!!

Smelly mats have been discussed before. I have one too. It finally quit smelling after about 8 months.

It was so powerful it made me sick and gave me headaches. Nothing worked for me, it just had to disapate on it's own. Mine is an olfa.

I don't know if the mat in question if an Olfa, but here they admit to the stinky problem and have a suggestion as to how to deal with it:

http://www.olfa.com/CustomerserviceFAQ.aspx#m3

"How do I reduce the strong plastic smell from my new rotary mat?
Due to production and distribution, a new OLFA rotary mat can emit an odorous smell that some people are sensitive too. To overcome this smell, we suggest that the mat be wiped down with a solution of equal parts lukewarm water and white vinegar, then let it set for five minutes. Afterwards, rinse off the mat and towel dry. Repeat as needed."

It's a shame that this issue isn't remedied at their plant so we don't have to suffer the consequences. Hope this helps.

wow, that must be some smell!!!

I bought a folding cutting mat at BigLots. I thought I had gotten such a great deal. It smelled of skunk when I opened it. I let it air out for two weeks - it still smelled. It is back at BigLots and still on the shelf. If someone has a sure fire method to get the smell out, I would be thrilled to go back and buy it again. Good luck!

I bought the same mat at Wally world and it, too, smelled like crazy. I'm happy to report that after about 6 months the smell is went away.

Even if you manage to get the smell out of the mat, Email and complain about it. If enough people complain and suggest THEY take the smell out at the manufacturing end, MAYBE they'll do it! Use this url and then click on customer service at the top of the page and complain!

http://www.olfa.com/CustomerserviceFAQ.aspx#m3