Wood dash for 60 BN7

[jcsb]

Has anyone purchased and installed one of these wooden dashboards? I'm rebuilding my BN7 and have talked to the guy about doing a one off custom wood dash. Would be interested in hearing from anyone who purchased one and their experience installing it.
Thanks,
John

https://www.ebay.com/itm/austin-hea...Parts_Accessories&hash=item3a7a0bdb45&vxp=mtr

 

[Genos2]

Personal taste IMO, I put a '67 MK3 dash in my BJ7 back in the "70s, along w/console because I liked the wood look & wanted a decent place for stereo + armrest. Not stock-don"t care, do still have original one.

 

[Keoke]

HI John

That wood work looks to be very good even if a bit pricy ,

 

[CLEAH]

John, I'm wondering if you have seen any other Healeys with a wooden dash like this? I know you did not ask for opinions, but I'd be concerned that no matter how nice the wood, it might still look home made and lack sophistication. The original metal dash is an absolute work of art in my opinion, and is one of the elements that make a Healey what it is--it embodies essential Healeyness, to my eye. In fact, the wooden dash on my BJ8 is probably my least favorite feature of the car--though it is well done, stylistically I think is was a backward move. My .02

 

[HealeyRick]

No experience with the maker. either, but it looks pretty nice to me. I like my original BJ7 dashboard, but I'd have no problem installing this and saving my original for the next owner. Differing from CLEAH a bit here, it looks too nice to be one of those homemade dashes. Sure, it's not original, but a lot of people would like a wood dash in their Healey. For the price, I'd install it in a heartbeat.

 

[jcsb]

Guys as always thanks for the opinions. I contacted the guy 4-5 months ago about doing a one off dash with tiger maple flame and having it stained black. I think considering the color I've chose for the outside it would look pretty classy. Still compiling information. I'll put up some pics when I make my choice.
John

 

[maxwedge5281]

i wholeheartedly agree with cleah.. the dash in the early cars is a work of art and much like the trafficator part of the heart and soul of a healey...and in my opinion the bn7 is perfect as is!

 

[Keoke]

Well if steel trim looked so great then the craftmen in England wuld not have spent so much time making BOOk Marked and Matched wood trim including dashes for the high end cars like : Jaguar,Daimler,RollsRoce, Healey BJ8 Etc.

 

[mtlman8]

It looks like veneered plywood. If so, not worth the money.

 

[DerekJ]

Real sports cars don't have wood in them.

 

[Keoke]

Real sports cars don't have wood in them.

You better not let Morgan hear you say that--

 

[Keoke]

It looks like veneered plywood.

Well now I know it is hot down there in the valley,

Yes it is Veneer and that's where the art and skill comes in .
That is the only way you can Bookmark and Mirror individual pieces of wood trim in a car.---AZ Cow Boy:friendly_wink:

 

[jcsb]

Well now I know it is hot down there in the valley,

Yes it is Veneer and that's where the art and skill comes in .
That is the only way you can Bookmark and Mirror individual pieces of wood trim in a car.---AZ Cow Boy:friendly_wink:

Keoke,
Your absolutely right. Bookmatching is done that way. My Jag XK140 was done that way!

John

 

[mtlman8]

I used a CNC router to make my dash. I'm lucky enough to have AUTO CAD skills and work for a company that has a laser and a CNC router.

 

[Keoke]

I used a CNC router to make my dash. I'm lucky enough to have AUTO CAD skills and work for a company that has a laser and a CNC router.

Musta been surplus stuff from our old HAC Tucson Plant.--:cowboy:

 

[mtlman8]

WOW! What an *******!

 

[bluecatmodels]

Real sports cars don't have wood in them.

Well, maybe some parts. Ah... seat slide packing, rear seat back, seat base BN1,2,4, Battery bumper block, convertible top front frame, spare tire block, rear cockpit interior panel edges at door, Dashboard top panel, grab handle packing block, and some other parts I've had to make.