correct dash paint/color on BN1

[bighealeysource]

Hey all,
On the 1954 100-4 BN1 I am starting to do the interior on -
it has the one piece dash and currently painted with a
"wrinkle type black paint". This is a white with red interior
car and have read that the dash could be various colors
including black. Any recommendations on what I should do
with it ? I cannot tell from looking at the back side if
it was anything other than black. Is the wrinkle paint
original or should it just be gloss or satin black ?
Thanks,
Mike

 

[Healeysince59]

According to Anderson/Moment the dash was body color on white, black and green cars. The raised instrument panel was painted light nonreflective silver.

Red cars had black dashes and Healey Blue cars had dark blue dashes.

Wrinkle paint is not original.

Marv J

 

[pan]

When I bought my Healey Blue 1954 100 (Forty years ago today!!) it had a black dash panel with silver instrument surround.
Although I believe this to be the original colour scheme, when I restored the car a few years ago I decided to use dark blue with silver. I think this looks better with the dark blue interior trim.
I looked closely through the Anderson/Moment Guide but found no reference to Healey Blue cars having this combination, but I will gladly accept this advice that it is an original colour scheme.

 

[zblu]

When I acquired my 100 in 1970 it too had the black wrinkle finish, we took that off with paint thinners when it was being restored,and found no evidence of other paint under the black, or indeed any signs of sanding marks leading one to believe it was original, as surely one would not go to all the effort to remove the matching paint rather than just overspray with the black wrinkle

 

[glemon]

pan, I had a Healy blue Hundred with a black dash (with silver) as well, now I got mine 10 years ago, but have talked to POs backed to about the late 60s and no one repainted th dash, also didn't find evidence of any dark blue paint, but until now thought it had just been stripped and repainted--but coupled with your story makes me wonder if some of the Healey blue cars had black dashes original, the paint was certainly old on my car--but given the age it could have been an old repaint as well.

 

[Healeysince59]

Anderson/Moment says "......dark blue on most Healey Blue cars..." It sounds like black is also correct.

Marv J

 

[HEALEYJAG]

I went with the rare optional "leather dash" with dark blue leather ...really like it.

Pete

 

[zblu]

Mine was also originally a blue, albeit a healey ice blue

 

[bighealeysource]

Thanks everyone for the input. I'm going to redo in with the silver cluster
and white for the balance of the dash panel.
Mike