Replacement Dash??

[John.P]

Sorry for another terminally dull dash thread but after a year of meaning to get it sorted am finally getting round to it! Have searched previous threads but not really getting any closer to a decision - basically I have a light interior - biscuit/magnolia leather, which I reckon rules out a stainless dash( annoyingly looks great with dark colours though). Was going to recover in matching leather, but i'm not so sure this would look great anymore. So choice is wood again (which I'm a bit reluctant to do as will prob crack again, but like the look) or go for a more modern look with a carbon firbe dash - the current favourite but still not 100% sure! Any advice from those of you have replaced your original and it looks good with lighter interiors is much appreciated!

[p400pls]

I've got a light interior with a stainless dash and it looks great.
If you want pictures let me know and I will try to attach them or e-mail them to you.

As ever this is a matter of taste issue, but with all stainless controls and the dash it looks excellent.

[petea]

John.P said:

Sorry for another terminally dull dash thread but after a year of meaning to get it sorted am finally getting round to it! Have searched previous threads but not really getting any closer to a decision - basically I have a light interior - biscuit/magnolia leather, which I reckon rules out a stainless dash( annoyingly looks great with dark colours though). Was going to recover in matching leather, but i'm not so sure this would look great anymore. So choice is wood again (which I'm a bit reluctant to do as will prob crack again, but like the look) or go for a more modern look with a carbon firbe dash - the current favourite but still not 100% sure! Any advice from those of you have replaced your original and it looks good with lighter interiors is much appreciated!

Could spray paint the dash the same colour as the body ala Fiat Coupe?...if it suits the interior i guess. Just a thought

[John.P]

Thanks for the thoughts - found a pic of a stainless / light interior & actually don't think it looks half bad! Just assumed it wouldn't 'work' somehow. Love the Fiat dash but get the feeling it just might be a bit too much?? Might yet be a phone call on its way to leven...

[p400pls]

John,

Have a search through the various threads on here regarding fitting the dash, apparently this is quite difficult. Can't comment directly as I had mine fitted by David Batty who did a brilliant job. When I looked at these I remember the Leven ones had an embossed weave effect.

I went for a brushed finish which looks as good now as it did on day one, I still get in the car and think the whole cockpit looks and feels superb. If you wanted to see one with your own eyes I live near to Stroud, which can't be too far away from you. Let me know.

[Woody_450]

p400pls said:

Have a search through the various threads on here regarding fitting the dash, apparently this is quite difficult.

I used the bible and chimaerapages.com to swap mine, I also did a write up myself. Feel free to PM me if you need any info.

Cheers
Rich

[John.P]

Gents,
Thanks for the extra info - didn't mean to be rude & not reply but just got back from holiday!Peter - the brushed doption is what I'm going to go for, just good to hear it stands up well after a year or so - very reluctant to 'improve' with something that looks tired v. quickly. Woody - unfortunately I've already had the dash in pieces to sort little electrical gremlins, so know what a pain in the a**e it can be! Just about to waxoyl the rest of the chassis so after that dash is next...

Cheers as always fellas!

[fergusg]

Apparently TVR used the wrong sort of glue (non-flexible) for the dash veneer so if you get it redone by London Carriage Craft or equivalent then it should last. I had mine done recently and it looks really good. Better than original.

[tyre_tread]

fergusg said:

Apparently TVR used the wrong sort of glue (non-flexible) for the dash veneer so if you get it redone by London Carriage Craft or equivalent then it should last. I had mine done recently and it looks really good. Better than original.

I spoke to one of the venerring co's at the classic motor show who said that the problem relates to woos being glued to metal which obviously expand & contract at different rates.

In normal use the realistic lifetime is 5-10 years apparently.

Just out of interest Fergus, how much did London Carriage Craft charge?

[pjhtvr]

Not sure how to put you in touch with him but you should try derbygreg he does some really nice looking one's (carbon and alloy)

[ricardo bertone]

When I got my dash reveneered by LCC four years ago they charged 160 plus VAT. Wasn't hard to remove or refit and still looks great and no cracks.

Ricardo

[derbygreg]

I think stainless with a light interior looks good. But im biased!

[ricardo bertone]

Sorry mate each to their own but I think that's minging IMO.

[derbygreg]

Allot of people find the wooden dash minging!

[winston lai]

Hi Greg,
I think your Stainless dash look fantastic. I am thinking of upgrading mine. Can you let me know where you got your stainless dash from. I have not seen one like yours before.
Thanks Winston

[gavstar]

Yep, that stainless dash looks superb. Have you changed all the switch gear too? Presumably that's a fairly involved job?

[derbygreg]

Gavstar you have a PM

[redeye]

had mine painted the same as the car looks the nuts i think,wood will allways come adrift against steel,shine ally looks a bit bling me think

[derbygreg]

mine is Brushed stainless steel (matt)

[CaptiV8ed]

Redeye,

Do you have any pics of your body coloured dash?

I think that's a cool rahool idea and I'd like to see the results!