WTB Dash

[Peter Coomaraswamy]

Although I'm not ready to pull the windshield on my blue coupe I will need a dashboard and so I thought I would post my request in the hope I could find a reasonably priced full set. I will take individual pieces if they are in really good shape. I just don't want to send mine out for who knows how long as I won't be able to drive the car for that period.

Thanks!

 

[Markos]

This one was $1,200, relisted at $950. This is the seller from Hawaii that parted his coupe. Not a member Afaik.

http://m.ebay.com/itm/161879206751

edit: Now down to $600, but the ad is down. I don't think you will find it much cheaper than that. I think I have the sellers email address if you need it.

 

[rsporsche]

Peter,

are you looking for the wood or the vinyl parts? i suppose you are looking for parts good enough to install? the danger about not getting the wood all at one time is matching the wood, color + finish. my suggestion is to quickly assemble the cores and send them out or find a local millworker to lay up the veneer. the vinyl you can assemble, but finding the top pieces that aren't cracked isn't easy and can be expensive. i have a cowl which might be okay, but the spare grab rail i have isn't good and i don't have a spare top piece. most of the bottom dash pieces have messed up attachment points

 

[Markos]

This one was $1,200, relisted at $950. This is the seller from Hawaii that parted his coupe. Not a member Afaik.

http://m.ebay.com/itm/161879206751

edit: Now down to $600, but the ad is down. I don't think you will find it much cheaper than that. I think I have the sellers email address if you need it.

Talked to seller. Still available and I have his email address.

 

[jmackro]

If Peter is looking for a complete dash, the ebay ad from Hawaii doesn't match his needs. That guy seems to be selling just the gauges + the gauge panel. The ad reads:

1972 BMW 2800 CS instrument cluster, gauges, original, wood panel
“instruments good condition complete working when stopped. wood weathered, dash not included.”

I just don't want to send mine out for who knows how long as I won't be able to drive the car for that period.

When I sent my wood out to Madera Concepts, my memory is that they turned it around pretty quickly.

On the other hand, sourcing and combining good used parts may not work so well:

- As rsporsche points out, if you source veneered wood from several cars the pieces are unlikely to match.

- Some of the pieces - notably the horizontal plywood "tray" - are susceptible to moisture damage, so you are unlikely to find good, used examples. Madera can supply new parts.

- Disassembling/reassembling a dash is a big job. If you combine used parts from multiple sources, the result may not fit/look all that great. Given the work involved, I'd recommend doing it right the first time using new and freshly veneered/upholstered parts.

 

[HB Chris]

And his dash top has been recovered, stitching is visible.

 

[Markos]

I missed the part about the dash being incomplete. I noticed the stitching issue as well. I'm not sure how one is to procure a dash in show quality condition without recovering...

Also, I would be careful purchasing a dash that hasn't been removed yet.

 

[Peter Coomaraswamy]

Thanks Guys,

I think I will finish the Polaris coupe in the next week or so and then drive that around as it will need to be tested. Then I'll pull the windshield on the blue coupe,yank the dash and try to have my original one recovered and the wood done as well. I'm not so worried about the original look (stitches/no stitches) I just have to put something that is proper in there. I don't want to be "shunned" when I get to Monterey!

 

[aearch]

wood

perter its real easy to redo the wood yourself
just get the veneer and glue it on

 

[rsporsche]

perter its real easy to redo the wood yourself
just get the veneer and glue it on

a vaccuum machine to pull the veneer onto the curve is highly recommended for this process ... you want full adhesion to avoid delamination

 

[Markos]

a vaccuum machine to pull the veneer onto the curve is highly recommended for this process ... you want full adhesion to avoid delamination

I talked to SVEN about this last Saturday. His veneer looks amazing. It is French walnut with a very nice grain, color, and sheen. I plan on doing mine myself. I intended to buy a vacuum pump on Craigslist and a vacuum bag from veneer supply.com. Sven said he used a food saver. So that is my plan, plus my wife can have it when I'm done! Maybe I'll just make it a Christmas present.

 

[damienh]

I'm keen to do this at some point, but part of the core has disintegrated completely. Has anyone had to rebuild theirs before re-veneering I wonder ? Or, I would buy a full set to restore if anyone has one for a RHD car.

 

[deQuincey]

perter its real easy to redo the wood yourself
just get the veneer and glue it on

so easy, show us how you do it !

 

[Stevehose]

an excellent concept! there should be a thread on re-giftable e9 usable objects for the spouse. gravy basters, instant read thermometers, oven gloves,etc.

plus my wife can have it when I'm done! Maybe I'll just make it a Christmas present.