I have just completed a project that I've been mulling over for the past
year. I've always disliked the padded dashboard introduced in 1968,
even though it was improved in 1972, and after watching mine crack and
fade, the wheels in my head started turning.
In January I purchased a '72 parts car. In February I removed the
dashboard and ripped off all of the padding. In April I sanded it down
and primed it. In May I filled in various holes that were pertinent to
'72 but weren't needed for my '74, and primed again. In June I cut a
piece of the door off and shaped it to fit the glove box hole. A couple
of weeks ago I gave it three good coats of black wrinkle-finish paint.
Yesterday I modified the fresh air vent securing hardware. Last night I
transferred all gauges and switches from the old dash to the new dash.
And this morning, under the watchful eye of Hurricane Danny, I bolted it
into my car.
I now have a metal-dash 1974 MGB.
A few points:
- It looks good!
- When spraying wrinkle-finish paint, even coverage is critical.
Several spots on my dash are noticeably more wrinkled than others due
to uneven coverage. I'm not that good at spray-painting yet.
- I had clearance problems with the fresh air vents, since they're a
good deal closer to the firewall than before. I wasn't able to make
the old ducting fit, so I'll have to modify it or fabricate new.
- There is a one inch gap between the dashboard and the center console,
through which you can see the sheet metal support underneath. Blaze
Red really contrasts with Black!
- With all of that padding gone, the interior has a more roomy feel to
it, and it's lost that clunky chunky look. I've stripped the old,
cracking vinyl and foam from the door cappings as well, and will be
sanding them and staining them black to match.
- I have yet to fabricate a top rail. I'm not sure what I'll end up
with, but it will probably involve foam rubber...
This morning, after refitting the dashboard, I was surprised to discover
that my worksite wasn't going to be closed for the Hurricane after all.
So I grabbed a shower, jumped in the car, and fired it up, watching the
gauges as usual. After three or four seconds without oil pressure, I
shut it down, then realized that I'd forgotted to reconnect the oil
pressure gauge! So now I have a new dashboard and a pair of Rorschach
jeans, but I'm happy!
--
Todd Mullins
Todd.Mullins@nrlssc.navy.mil On the lovely Mississippi (USA) Coast
'74 MGB Tourer with new dashboard!!
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