Replacing walnut dash

[silversun]

The original dash in my chim is cracked and I'm considering replacing it with a Leven stainless one.

What do people think about the way this looks? I kind of like keeping an original look to the car, but I also quite like the stainless ones. Who's done this? Were you happy with it? Did it look good?

The rest of the interior is fairly tired too (biscuit leather) but I'm doing stuff slowly.

What do you reckon?

[jsr]

I changed the wooden dash to a stainless steel one as i preferred the look. I think it very much depends on the interior colour scheme. I personally think the stainless steel dash suits the navy blue leather/vinyl of the dashboard. I'm happy with it and would certainly recommend Leven. Fitting is straightforward - the hardest part is undoing the nuts and then getting the top of the dash off!

Before:


After:

[davvid]

I've got a stainless steel one,which I like.I think form should follow function,i.e.,if it's better,then you should use it.
I may be wrong,but I thought it was an option originally,anyway

[wongthecorrupter]

that looks the nuts,i have just done the same to mine.no more dodgy marina placky wood dash

[Golflion]

jsr said:

I changed the wooden dash to a stainless steel one as i preferred the look. I think it very much depends on the interior colour scheme. I personally think the stainless steel dash suits the navy blue leather/vinyl of the dashboard. I'm happy with it and would certainly recommend Leven. Fitting is straightforward - the hardest part is undoing the nuts and then getting the top of the dash off!

Before:


After:

Mines being changed this week to stainless, along with renewing the interior;)

[Chris Smith]

I have a photo somewhere of a Stainless dash with a biscuit interior if you are still in any doubt. Let me know if you want it and I'll dig it out.
Chris

[silversun]

Chris Smith said:

I have a photo somewhere of a Stainless dash with a biscuit interior if you are still in any doubt. Let me know if you want it and I'll dig it out.
Chris

Yes please. My interior is biscuit and that's what made me unsure about the stainless steel.

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

silversun said:

I kind of like keeping an original look to the car,

They were supplied from new as a factory option with differing metal dash boards

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

[salmon]

silversun said:

Chris Smith said:

I have a photo somewhere of a Stainless dash with a biscuit interior if you are still in any doubt. Let me know if you want it and I'll dig it out.
Chris

Yes please. My interior is biscuit and that's what made me unsure about the stainless steel.

x2, was thinking if doing mine as it's cracked round the heater controls and wasn't sure if it would match the biscuit interior.

[jenkotvr]

salmon said:

silversun said:

Chris Smith said:

I have a photo somewhere of a Stainless dash with a biscuit interior if you are still in any doubt. Let me know if you want it and I'll dig it out.
Chris

Yes please. My interior is biscuit and that's what made me unsure about the stainless steel.

x2, was thinking if doing mine as it's cracked round the heater controls and wasn't sure if it would match the biscuit interior.

+3

[Teetertank]

I don't have a photo to hand, but do have biscuit interior, and replaced my cracked dash with the stainless one, and think it's a definite improvement - and so does everyone that has seen before and after. And I kind of liked the original walnut, and was worried about changing to something completely different, but now have absolutely no regrets.

[chr1sb]

Likewise. Replaced mine with carbon fibre - really suits the car (especially with Levan bits / pollished wheel) & no more de-laminating !

Chris

[Chris Smith]

Sorry, tried to upload my image and for some reason I can't get it onto this forum - might be some kind of web browser issue or just the work IT police. Will try again from home at the weekend. Until then, for those that want a picture of a stainless dash with a biscuit interior, check out the Fernhurst TVR site, used TVRs, then the 95 Cureton Green Metallic Car. That has a picture of my old car/dash. Maybe someone can post a link. From my point of view it was a no brainer, as the dash cost the same as a refurbished wood one, but the latter would just end up re-cracking in due course, whereas the stainless one will be fine forever. Leven are also top guys to deal with.

[.Mark]

[Chris Smith]

Thanks Mark. If you (or anyone else) wants to email me direct at work on [e-mail] then I will also send you my own image and you can add that in too. It is taken from lower down than the Fernhurst shot and shows that the stainless dash and biscuit interior go quite well together.

[.Mark]

And another.

[quattrophenia]

Totally down to personal choice it's your car. Some interiors take the metal better than others. I personally love the original wooden finish. I think the Walnut has a more classical, expensive and different look to modern cars.
These are oldish cars now, so why and try and make them look like new ones.

[.Mark]

quattrophenia said:

Totally down to personal choice it's your car. Some interiors take the metal better than others. I personally love the original wooden finish. I think the Walnut has a more classical, expensive and different look to modern cars.
These are oldish cars now, so why and try and make them look like new ones.

Got to say I agree. I like the warmth of the wood. My lower section has split so needs replacing and it will be walnut going in there

But as has been said - each to their own. That's what makes these cars and owners so wonderful.

[Fat Boy Chim]

I changed mine a year or 2 ago, Leven dash, silver leven bits and a new steering wheel with Polished alloy spokes / thumb rests, Magnolia interior... Best thing i ever done, personal opinion.

I have a pic on a memory stick somewhere, if you would like a lookie let me know.

Regards,
Steve
FBC