Ok brains trust what am I missing? I'm doing some work on a 1971 car and for the life of me I can't get the 2 x panels that seat underneath the steering column to fit. I have a 20-30mm gap between the top of the under steering column cover and the bottom of the grab rail - for both cover panels.
The car was in pieces and missing some parts, so I'm open to all ideas as to what's going on.
I also realise factory fitment wasn't great. In no order I see the following as potentially the issue, or an interplay of a couple of issues.
As can be seen in the above pic the cover panel is snug but I have a massive gap on either side of the steering column.
Assumption 1. There is no difference in the steering column or the cover plate. I realise later cars have an adjustable one but that isn't a factor here.
Assumption 2. There is no difference in the under steering column cover panel ( am I wrong on this?).
I'm thinking the grab rail may be the issue. The below pic shows one in another 1971 car. Note how the rebate for the headlight switch has the angular rebate.
And yes that's a factory flame orange e12..
The car I'm working on doesn't have a grab rail like this, I'm wondering if it should?
It simply has a round hole with a circular rebate around it for the headlight switch above the button to open the panel for the fuse box.
I'm wondering if this grab rail i(in the picture) s also deeper, as that would solve the issue.
Been scratching my head on this for days. I keep coming back to the following as the only options.
1. I have an incorrect grab rail, (I'm guessing post face lift) which is shallower meaning that the under dash cover panels will not marry up correctly.
2. There are differences in the under steering column, which means it will not fit.
3. There are differences in the metal cover plate under the steering column and I have wrong one - seems unlikely.
4. I'm drunk- pretty sure that's not it.
Ideas?
The car was in pieces and missing some parts, so I'm open to all ideas as to what's going on.
I also realise factory fitment wasn't great. In no order I see the following as potentially the issue, or an interplay of a couple of issues.
As can be seen in the above pic the cover panel is snug but I have a massive gap on either side of the steering column.
Assumption 1. There is no difference in the steering column or the cover plate. I realise later cars have an adjustable one but that isn't a factor here.
Assumption 2. There is no difference in the under steering column cover panel ( am I wrong on this?).
I'm thinking the grab rail may be the issue. The below pic shows one in another 1971 car. Note how the rebate for the headlight switch has the angular rebate.
And yes that's a factory flame orange e12..
The car I'm working on doesn't have a grab rail like this, I'm wondering if it should?
It simply has a round hole with a circular rebate around it for the headlight switch above the button to open the panel for the fuse box.
I'm wondering if this grab rail i(in the picture) s also deeper, as that would solve the issue.
Been scratching my head on this for days. I keep coming back to the following as the only options.
1. I have an incorrect grab rail, (I'm guessing post face lift) which is shallower meaning that the under dash cover panels will not marry up correctly.
2. There are differences in the under steering column, which means it will not fit.
3. There are differences in the metal cover plate under the steering column and I have wrong one - seems unlikely.
4. I'm drunk- pretty sure that's not it.
Ideas?
