Carbon Dash

[gavster]

Hi All,

I am considering constructing a carbon fibre dash for my 93 4.3 Chimaera. Does anyone know where I may be able to get hold of a dashboard template?

I want to avoid the pain of removing all of the dials and dash to trace the original.

Any help greatly appreciated.

Gav

[tvrheart]

Try your local dealer, mine has several on display. It might be a bit cheeky not buying one but I'm sure you could make it worth their while, buy some screen wash or something.

Just an idea,

Chris
P11PLE Chimaera 450

[Lensey]

Just buy a dash already done? £265.00

[gavster]

Hi Lensey,

Where can I get the dash from ? Does it come with the Stereo panel aswell?

Cheers

Gav

[Lensey]

gavster,
I got mine (Griff)from David Batty, who I think got it from Pennisula?

www.fotango.com/p/eba00166282f00000004.jpg

[gavster]

Hi Lensey,

Chrz for the info, looks very tasty, is the finsh a high gloss or matt?

Definately gonna get one for the old Chimaera.

Thanks

Gav

[Lensey]

Its quite a glossy finish, I think it makes a change from having an ally or wood dash.

[david beer]

Anybody modernising there dash, has to go LED illumination. I was white but having taken delivery of the blues, i think i shall be blue.
Mod-wise

[zertec]

Made mine myself, scroll down the story:
www.pistonheads.com/tvr/index.asp?storyId=2792
The LED illumination changes colour as things are activated.

[davidd]

quote:
Made mine myself, scroll down the story:
www.pistonheads.com/tvr/index.asp?storyId=2792
The LED illumination changes colour as things are activated.

Clive

So how hard is it to make the Griff a push button start? What about the Cerbera dials under the steering wheel how did you do that. Can we have kits please?

Thanks

David

[zertec]

quote:
So how hard is it to make the Griff a push button start? What about the Cerbera dials under the steering wheel how did you do that. Can we have kits please?

For the version on the Zertec Griffith I completely removed the steering column lock as I considered that it is no real impediment to a determine criminal, in fact having no steering lock and no key possibly makes it more difficult to steal the car. I was not prepared however, to offer a version for sale that required the steering lock to be removed as owners may have difficulty with insurance companies if their car was stolen. Additionally removing the steering lock and key switch makes the installation a bit more complicated.

Instead I devised a much simpler version which retained the key switch and steering lock but moved the start function to a separate momentary switch. This version still had a brass or aluminium faceplate and the body of the shroud could be made in GRP or carbon fibre. My initial intention was not to include instruments in this pod but to make a much neater and more appropriate installation than the General Motors offering, disguising the humble origins of the steering column at the same time. This version would be very easy for your average person to install. I may still produce this version for the Griffith if there is sufficient demand although at present I have done nothing to promote the product.

Coincidentally a week or so back a customer in Belgium asked if it was possible to produce a Cerbera style column pod similar to that on our Griffith but for the Chimaera. He pointed out to me that he would like two instruments in the pod, a voltmeter (which the Chimaera lacks) and an oil temperature gauge (also missing on the Griffith).

If 10 or more customers are willing to put down a deposit then I would be prepared to undertake the development.

A rough idea of prices would be as follows:
Plain replacement pod with push button starting and no instruments finished in black GRP complete with all fittings and wiring I estimate would be about £180 + VAT
Supplement for carbon fibre finish probably about £40
The GRP pod can be trimmed in leather or painted to match the outside of the car.
For the pod that includes an oil temperature gauge and voltmeter add an extra £60+ VAT (this extra price is made up of the cost of the instrumentation, looms and extra work involved in machining the pod). This would of course include the oil temperature sender (possibly already mounted in a sump plug) and full instructions. The instruments would match TVR's current range of standard instrumentation (instrument faces can be black, white or cream. With black, red, white or blue markings and a black or red pointer). We would not be able to include the TVR logo on the dials for copyright reasons.

If you can assemble 10 people willing to put down a 50% deposit then I will go ahead and I will guarantee the above prices to those 10 volunteers. It may be worth starting a new thread just on this topic alone.

[davidd]

Clive

Ok now we are talking, is the new assembly much lower? How close is it to your legs? The reason I ask is that I had a very bad accident a few years ago the floor pan of the car came up and crushed one of my feet. It took them an hour and a half to cut me out of the car, still that was better then the other option which was to have my leg off. Anyway the net result is that I'm a little twitchy about space around my legs.
Let me know what you think. But in theory I'm up for it.

Thanks

David

[zertec]

quote:
Clive

Ok now we are talking, is the new assembly much lower? How close is it to your legs? The reason I ask is that I had a very bad accident a few years ago the floor pan of the car came up and crushed one of my feet. It took them an hour and a half to cut me out of the car, still that was better then the other option which was to have my leg off. Anyway the net result is that I'm a little twitchy about space around my legs.
Let me know what you think. But in theory I'm up for it.

Thanks

David

The plain pod will be similar to the original GM part, the instrument version will be no different to the Cerbera pod.

One down nine to go....do some marketing guys.

[richb]

I could be interested, suggest you open up a "Griffith Steering Pod" thread Clive Incidentally as the Griffith already has a voltmeter the only additional instrument it would require is an oil temp gauge, whereas I seem to remember the Chimaera has one less instrument is that correct? Rich...

[tvrheart]

I am interested too, wouldn't mind seeing some decent sketches/pics just to get a better idea of how it would look, especially as the Chim steering wheel is 3 spoke, not 2 as in Cerb. As the prices are set out they seem about right for the gain offered - 2 extra worthwhile instruments, push button start and new pod. It would have to be idiot proof to fit though!
Keep us updated Clive!
Chris
P11PLE Chimaera 450

[markh]

Any development photos would be good, could put me down for a Chimaera version

[manek]

I'm 75% convinced -- always wondered why TVR left out two pretty important instruments for the Chimaera anyway.

Two questions, Clive:
1. Do you think there would be more (much more?) to pay for a leather-trimmed pod?
2. How confident are you on those prices levels?

>> Edited by manek on Saturday 27th April 10:35