Subject: single piece dash feasible vs. 3 sections?
Author: jw@mail09.mitre.org at INTERNET-PO
Date: 26/08/98 19:08
I want to make a replacement dash, and wonder if anyone has tried to
use a single piece of wood, rather than the 3 sections my '72 has now.
Seems like it would be just as easy to fit, but I thought I'd ask. I
guess I could make it, and at worse, have to cut it into sections.
Joe
72 Spitfire -> Norman
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Just last month my father-in-law finished my single piece dash, fashioned from
the side of on old mahogony veneer wardrobe. I admit that I have not fitted it
to the car yet, but it matches up to the metal spot on.
I reckon there are several reasons why the factory used 3 bits:
- commonality, the centre portion will be the same for LH and RHD cars
- more importantly ease of fitting. I'm anticipating a more difficult job
actually getting it into place. With the 3 sections, the centre one hinges down
quite conveniently on the wires to the fuel and temp gauges, while the other
sections stay in place. I think there will be a fair amount of upside-down,
head in the footwell contortions trying to connect the speedo and choke cables
etc. When the centre panel is lowered it provides a good hand access point for
fiddling around with the speedo cable.
One point to remember, originally the dials are recessed into the dash so that
the bezels are flush with the wood. This required a second piece of plywood to
be glued to to the back of the front piece with holes cut slightly smaller to
stop the dials falling out. This also means that if the front holes are even
slightly off-size, or out of round the gaps to the bezels will stick out like a
sore thumb.
The reason I wanted a new dash was was so that I could place the dials and
switches where I wanted them (mainly for the old centre area whre I have
included a hole for a clock). I also included holes for the eyeball air vents
found in the GT6. Finally I chose to use hidden fixings. Where the old centre
section has 4 screws holding it in place, there is now 4 threaded studs on the
reverse.
All-in-all the old man (he's 78 so I'm allowed to call him that) has done a
superb job - but then it was quite easy for him as he has already made nearly
all the furniture in the house! It keeps him busy - I'm just sorry that he
never mastered the art of welding.
Finally, as there are several people asking trivia questions on the list at
present here's mine:- "Why is the dash board called a dash board?"
Pat
Spit 2000 in the making
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