BN4 Dash Face Finish Question

[blueskies]

We are working on the dash area of the BN4, an early Longbridge 100-6. Can someone tell me how the dash face should be finished on this car? According to the heritage certificate, the car came from the factory with the exterior painted in Colorado Red, with Black insets on the sides. The interior was red.

Should the dash face be painted or covered with vinyl? Red or black? If covered with vinyl, is there a supplier that has a good match to go with the dash pad for the top of the dash? I bought a new dash pad from Moss, in red.

 

[John Turney]

The dash is covered in unpadded vinyl, the same color as the interior, including the dash pad. Moss includes a roll of the vinyl that covers the dash pad with the interior kits.

 

[vette]

The dash is covered in unpadded vinyl, the same color as the interior, including the dash pad. Moss includes a roll of the vinyl that covers the dash pad with the interior kits.

On the early 100/6 cars there was furflex along the bottom of the dash panel, and on the BJ8 the top pad was black on all cars. As per "Anderson & Moment". Bye the way, their 'restoration guide' is an excellent read.

 

[healeyblue]

The longbridge cars should not have furflex running the length of the dash. There are only half moon shaped clips that help secure the dash vinyl. Disregard the heater delete panel as you will most likely have the heater controls in that area.
Jim

 

[blueskies]

The dash is covered in unpadded vinyl, the same color as the interior, including the dash pad. Moss includes a roll of the vinyl that covers the dash pad with the interior kits.

I don't see the vinyl included in any "kits," but see that Moss sells it separately, in either one or two yard by 52 inch wide pieces. Does that sound like the right thing? It would be nice to find something to match the vinyl on the new dash top.

Jim, are you saying that the Longbridge cars did not come with furflex anywhere in the dash area? I did buy a length of red furflex.

 

[DerekJ]

As Jim says there is no furflex under the dash.

See here what an original installation looks like;

https://www.healeysix.net/LongbridgeInt.htm

 

[oxford]

Hi Blueskies
If you're interested here is my video of dash recovering. It's a BN4, but not a longbridge.
Cheers
Matthew
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Je6QFfviASs

 

[blueskies]

Oxford, that video is helpful. You mention contact cement. Did you apply the contact cement to the face and edges of the dash, as well as to the back side of the vinyl? Also, water base contact cement or the nasty stuff?

 

[healeyblue]

The length of furflex you bought (if it is not the pinch weld style) will get used on the front edge of the door opening running behind the rubber weatherstripping.

 

[healeyblue]

heres a couple more

 

[blueskies]

healeyblue, Is your car a Longbridge 100-6? If so, does that mean that they had furflex on the front door posts? That would be good news, as I could use up some of that red furflex that I bought.

 

[healeyblue]

Yes a longbridge car. Thats why I have been posting. Trying to steer you straight on some of these longbridge only issues. I just scored a correct set of side curtains too!! This car will be very close to correct soon.

 

[healey106]

What was the build date of your Longbridge BN4? My Longbridge was built in April 57, another birthday coming up soon at the end of the month. I could you a photo of the original red vinyl dash which was later painted black by a prior owner, but it shows you exactly the placement of the upholstery "D" clips used at the bottom of the dash

 

[blueskies]

healey106, It has a build date of February 6, 1957 - that makes it 58 yr of age. And thank you for the offer; I would like to see those photos.

 

[oxford]

Blueskies
I applied the cement to the dash, the edges and the reverse face of the vinyl. I used the smelly and effective spray stuff, full of nasty chemicals, not the wTer based one.
Matthew

 

[andrea]

Immages are the better aid that can help us on restoration
if you need more help for specific particular I can find it in my archives (I hope)
Here some photos of a unmolested 100 6 LONGBRIDGE car
https://picasaweb.google.com/112770819864514987162/DropBox#5456940654898716818
https://picasaweb.google.com/112770819864514987162/DropBox#
And here some photos of particulars of the interiors
https://picasaweb.google.com/112770819864514987162/BN4LongbridgeCARPETSAndINSULATION