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TR2/3/3A TR3 Dash Cover Source

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HealeyDave

HealeyDave

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This has probably been covered (pun!) a hundred times on the forum, but here goes: is there a good place in the USofA to send off a TR3 dash to get re-covered? The main dash, including the glove box door, not the centre dash section. The TR3 dash is way beyond my threshold of wanting to attempt to do it myself. Too many complex curves to deal with. Other options for me are to have it powder coated, or painted. But - I'd prefer a more 'correct' covering done ..... correctly. If it was a Healey dash, I'd know just where to send it. But, with a TR dash, I'm not so well versed.
Thanks for any info.
 
There is a place in Centerville Ohio...2tallcustoms. They periodically have interior kits and seats on ebay. The have some specific experience with TR3's and I'm sure they could handle the dash covering. I have only bought seats from them, so don't have any particular knowledge of the other parts. I would also say that any auto upholstery shop that might be closer to you has enough knowledge and experience to handle covering the dash. I did one, on one of my cars, with 0 zero experience and it turned out very nice. I was very afraid to attempt it myself but lack of money was the creator of necessity. It's pretty fiddly but ended up not being anywhere near as bad as I had anticipated. The dogleg quarter capping was worse/harder in my opinion.
 
Wasn't too bad as I recall - though I had a piece from a vendor (Moss?) that had the area around the steering column 'horseshoe' stitched so it did not require a lot of cutting and tucking. Heat is your friend when working the corners.
 
Thanks for the replies. There is a local place that has a pretty good reputation. I may attempt it myself though, just for the experience. Usually, my wife can step in to assist with the more fine details, so I don't mess things up completely. And, these days there's probably uTube videos on how to. The TR3 dash is not the easiest, by the looks of it. But, it's not for a show car. If it turns out a disaster, then I can take it somewhere.
 
Geo Hahn said:
Wasn't too bad as I recall - though I had a piece from a vendor (Moss?) that had the area around the steering column 'horseshoe' stitched so it did not require a lot of cutting and tucking. Heat is your friend when working the corners.
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I recall seeing in a catalog that the early cars had that area around the steering column stitched. While later cars did not have the stitching. Likely a difference when they changed to the heat formed material.
Charley
 
I just used a local upholstery shop and they did a great job - you can get the thinner vynide material from Woolies in the U.K. and potentially save a couple of dollars too with the current exchange rate.
 
HealeyDave said:
...I may attempt it myself though, just for the experience... If it turns out a disaster, then I can take it somewhere.
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I think you've got the right idea there -- it is just a piece of sheet metal which can be stripped and cleaned an infinite number of times. The amount of material required is minimal (spray adhesive + a yard or so of vinyl which should be enough to try a couple of times).
 
The absolute best of the best for interiors for the side screen cars is Larry Learn in Indiana, Pennsylvania. Larry has done many Concours level cars (ever heard of TS1?). If you want it done right the first time, Larry is the only one I would consider. Don't look for a web site or any other social media stuff - Larry once told me he was far too busy to spend time trolling the Internet! Phone in Indiana, Pennsylvania is 724-465-8661. The entire interior of my TS981 is the product of Larry's talents.

Lou Metelko
Auburn, Indiana
 
Lou Metelko said:
The absolute best of the best for interiors for the side screen cars is Larry Learn in Indiana, Pennsylvania. Larry has done many Concours level cars (ever heard of TS1?). If you want it done right the first time, Larry is the only one I would consider. Don't look for a web site or any other social media stuff - Larry once told me he was far too busy to spend time trolling the Internet! Phone in Indiana, Pennsylvania is 724-465-8661. The entire interior of my TS981 is the product of Larry's talents.

Lou Metelko
Auburn, Indiana
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Thanks Lou. Good source for me to keep in mind.
I was in Auburn back in July. Visited the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Museum (my second visit). Amazing.
Eaton Clutch Division (Spicer) is there also, of course. Don't ask how I know that ....

Dave
 
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