New Dash Update….

[PeteGriff]

GlynMo said:

Pete, I may be selling my Griff but, if not, I would be interested in one of your dashes. Presumably it could be supplied without a veneer so that I could use my existing s/s dash front?

Hi GlynMo, Yes I could provide just a plywood faced/aluminium backed laminated assembly, but I could not guarantee the alignment of holes and slots with your stainless steel front! Regards, Pete

[PeteGriff]

Hi all, forgot to say in the first post that I managed to source a replacement set of the coloured 'indicator panel' lights! it is far easier to just push a new set into the 'new' bracket than try and get the old ones out and break them. They were only about £1.65 each so if anyone who is interested in a new dash wants a new light set I can source them! Also I identified the red, yellow and green LED indicator lights used on the precat (not sure of 500), so can get them also, they were £4.75 each and came as per original with the nut fixing body (I designed the aluminium backing layer to accept the threaded body only so as they could be fixed by nut rather than araldite). Finally, I made a useful tool to enable the easy removal of the pushbutton switches, I can provide details of how to make one. Regards, Pete

[Bluebottle]

PeteGriff said:

Hi all, forgot to say in the first post that I managed to source a replacement set of the coloured 'indicator panel' lights! it is far easier to just push a new set into the 'new' bracket than try and get the old ones out and break them. They were only about £1.65 each so if anyone who is interested in a new dash wants a new light set I can source them! Also I identified the red, yellow and green LED indicator lights used on the precat (not sure of 500), so can get them also, they were £4.75 each and came as per original with the nut fixing body (I designed the aluminium backing layer to accept the threaded body only so as they could be fixed by nut rather than araldite). Finally, I made a useful tool to enable the easy removal of the pushbutton switches, I can provide details of how to make one. Regards, Pete

count me in

[GlynMo]

PeteGriff said:

GlynMo said:

Pete, I may be selling my Griff but, if not, I would be interested in one of your dashes. Presumably it could be supplied without a veneer so that I could use my existing s/s dash front?

Hi GlynMo, Yes I could provide just a plywood faced/aluminium backed laminated assembly, but I could not guarantee the alignment of holes and slots with your stainless steel front! Regards, Pete

Hi Pete, do you have a reason to believe that the alignment might be out on a s/s dash, or is that just a cautionary note?

Glyn

[PeteGriff]

GlynMo said:

Hi Pete, do you have a reason to believe that the alignment might be out on a s/s dash, or is that just a cautionary note?

Glyn

Hi Glyn, just a cautionary note as I know how TVR parts can vary across similar models. What might be a good idea is if I get a paper 1:1 printout run off some time and send it to you, or if you can send me a tracing of your dash so as I can match it against mine? I did have a duplicate set of parts made at the same time so have an identical sample! Regards, Pete

[Pete Mac]

PeteGriff said:

Hi all, forgot to say in the first post that I managed to source a replacement set of the coloured 'indicator panel' lights! it is far easier to just push a new set into the 'new' bracket than try and get the old ones out and break them. They were only about £1.65 each so if anyone who is interested in a new dash wants a new light set I can source them! Also I identified the red, yellow and green LED indicator lights used on the precat (not sure of 500), so can get them also, they were £4.75 each and came as per original with the nut fixing body (I designed the aluminium backing layer to accept the threaded body only so as they could be fixed by nut rather than araldite). Finally, I made a useful tool to enable the easy removal of the pushbutton switches, I can provide details of how to make one. Regards, Pete

Pete, sounds more interesting by the day. I'll need to check out what lights are required for the '500' dash if you haven't already. I like hansdaal's switches as well, nice touch. I guess anybody worried about authenticity can also change back later. Source for those switches or was it this lot...?

http://www.carbuildersolutions.com/uk/electrical-b...

Keep the ideas coming.

Pete

[Andy_J_G]

PeteGriff said:

Hi all, can I ask those that are seriously interested in a 'New Type' laminated dash to PM me please, as I have an opportunity to buy a consignment of great figured and burl walnut veneer! I would be willing to initially fund the veneer, but would then get a list going of those seriously interested, then get a deposit to proceed. I will need to create a '500' style dash CAD file (Matt your spare dash would be great if I could borrow it), but that should be straight forward. By the way it would not be too much trouble to 'flip' the design file to create a L/H drive version! I would warn you all in advance that the building of these dashboards is not a 5 minute job. Also, please note that there will be a little edge fettling required to fit perfectly as not all TVR dash surrounds are the same. Lastly, I would need from one of you '500' boys a list of the dimensions of the instrument/gauge bezel and case diameter, plus switches etc (or the loan of said parts for me to measure up - this is preferred).

I do have a duplicate set of parts I made at the same time that anyone can borrow as a sample to have a serious look at (unfortunately the veneer is only standard black grained walnut not figured/burl). Best regards, Pete

I would be interested in a pre-cat dash

[PeteGriff]

Andy_J_G said:

I would be interested in a pre-cat dash

Andy, please PM me and I shall add you to my growing list. Regards, Pete

[43scotty]

Hi Pete

Put me down for a Pre-cat Dash

[Andy_J_G]

Hoover. said:

had my precat (registered March 92) dash yesterday, and guess what ?

It has a panel strips bolted to the dash holding the buttons in just like the original poster...... maybe TVR did do it right, then cut costs/botched on latter cars..

there a lot of things on my car that are different to others

The only thing is, if its the same as mine, the brackets for the bolts are glued to the dash and can fail, as mine just has. Attempting to fix with gorilla glue until my new dash comes.

[PeteGriff]

Andy_J_G said:

The only thing is, if its the same as mine, the brackets for the bolts are glued to the dash and can fail, as mine just has. Attempting to fix with gorilla glue until my new dash comes.

Andy, you are correct, the fixing studs are on little plates glued to the back of the dash! Mine was exactly the same. The new dash design as you know 'does away with the glue'. I can always use glue for those wishing a little TVR nostalgia…...

[Andy_J_G]

MPoxon said:

My dash is from Ian at Classical dash and I personally think the finish is stunning.



This however is what I am fed up with....



It is the third time this has happened and I am at my wits end as the whole dash needs to come out each time to fix it. Where my car lives outside during the summer the glue fails and the buttons disappear into the dashboard.

Pete I have sent you an email regarding the dash I have, intact I looked in the loft and I have two you can borrow, both from Griff 500s but both have different diameter cut outs for the small gauges. I assume one is early clocks and the other later clocks.

Have you tried Gorilla Glue (£7ish from toolstation), I have just done mine and it looks pretty good.

[MPoxon]

Andy_J_G said:

Have you tried Gorilla Glue (£7ish from toolstation), I have just done mine and it looks pretty good.

I don't think I have tried Gorilla glue. I have tried Araldite, 2ton adhesive and one other that I cannot remember. All of which failed in the heat of summer. I have decided to cut my losses with the existing dashboard although it is very nice I cannot deal with the buttons keep disappearing. I am looking forward my new Pete Griff dash

[Hoover.]

^^^^ should of bought a very early griff, mine is very much like the "new dash" with everything held in place by bolted brackets

[MPoxon]

They must have given up by the time they made the 500s as mine is held together using stickle bricks and velcro.

How is your car running now Hoover? Did you get her sorted since we last spoke at Bespoke?

[PeteGriff]

Hoover. said:

^^^^ should of bought a very early griff, mine is very much like the "new dash" with everything held in place by bolted brackets

My 430 precat had bolted brackets, but the threaded studs holding the brackets were welded onto little plates which were 'glued' with araldite to the back of the dash panel. Though better than the later '500' griff dashes, the araldite could and does fail, meaning the brackets come loose when the buttons are pushed. Thats why I have used rivet or 'clinch' studs in the backing layer to hold the new mounting plates/brackets. TVR could have used the 'clinch' stud method easily into the steel dash, then veneer over the top. The precat early dashes also have the araldite/glued spacer clips for the gauges, which can come loose and make them fall into the back! The whole idea of veneering onto a thin flexible metal layer is poor practice anyway and leads to all the issues of cracking that are experienced. Regards, Pete

[PeteGriff]

Hi Guys, I have had an extensive look at a couple of 500 dashes loaned to me by Matt Poxon. It appears that the external profile of the 500, though looking similar to the pre-cat's, is different! It's as if TVR made another dash surround mould for the 500 era. Also as known the gauges/instruments are in different places and are surface 'bezel' mounted rather than 'flush' mounted like the earlier pre-cat and the interim pre-serp 500.

So, I have decided to have the 500 (original TVR stainless) dash of Matthews laser scanned to acquire the exact shape of the profile and the position of the gauges etc. This process will give a 'DXF' CAD readable file which is good news, enabling easy tidying up within the CAD software. Good news as it will give as near an exact match as practically possible.

Also, my pal who is helping me with the CAD side (he has the expensive software) has produced for me a 'flipped' LHD pre-cat dash layout/file!

Regards, Pete

[Pete Mac]

PeteGriff said:

...... It appears that the external profile of the 500, though looking similar to the pre-cat's, is different! .....

Pete

Why does that not surprise me, we are talking TVR after all...?

Sounds like you are making great progress anyway - did you know what you were letting yourself in for when you started this?

Pete

[PeteGriff]

Pete Mac said:

Pete

Why does that not surprise me, we are talking TVR after all...?

Sounds like you are making great progress anyway - did you know what you were letting yourself in for when you started this?

Pete

Yes I did... After 4 years of enjoyable ownership everything I have looked at had odd quirks and differences, hence me trying to standardise and re-engineer accurately everything I do (where possible). By the way I am having drawn up my 'professional' front top wishbone heatshields and air splitter which I designed last year and have fitted to my Griff. Will now be able to have them laser cut and then formed quite economically! Watch the space......

I produced last year for our Mid Essex TVRCC Griff (and Chim) guys a batch of stainless exhaust mounting trays. Had this CAD drawn a couple of years ago when I had all the exhaust off, made and fitted stainless tray when reassembled.

Pete

[CHIMV8]

PeteGriff said:

Pete Mac said:

Pete

Why does that not surprise me, we are talking TVR after all...?

Sounds like you are making great progress anyway - did you know what you were letting yourself in for when you started this?

Pete

Yes I did... After 4 years of enjoyable ownership everything I have looked at had odd quirks and differences, hence me trying to standardise and re-engineer accurately everything I do (where possible). By the way I am having drawn up my 'professional' front top wishbone heatshields and air splitter which I designed last year and have fitted to my Griff. Will now be able to have them laser cut and then formed quite economically! Watch the space......

I produced last year for our Mid Essex TVRCC Griff (and Chim) guys a batch of stainless exhaust mounting trays. Had this CAD drawn a couple of years ago when I had all the exhaust off, made and fitted stainless tray when reassembled.

Pete

Pete will you be running some Chim dashes as well?

What cost vare we looking at?

Cheers

Mark