Wood Dash

[Morris]

I am considering a custom wood dash as a cheap winter project for my '79. I have always loved the TR6 dash, and I am very un happy with the layout of the stock dash.

What say you men? Is this a bad idea? What are your thoughts?

 

[middleagecrazy]

Go for it. My Dad made the new panels for his Spitfire out of Cherry. It's really nice. I personally added a Walnut panel that the Main section for the Tach, odometer, and Combo T/O gauge in my Austin Healey.

Anthony

 

[Morris]

Have any pictures Anthony?

 

[DrEntropy]

As added incentive: Lotus (read: Colin Chapman) used plywood for the Elan/Europa dash... and it is actually considered a "stress-member" of the chassis too!

 

[Baz]

Given the price of manufactured ones, I'd do it too. I have a beauty of a router in the garage I've never used and thought about it myself. Rewiring was the only thing that daunted me.
Over the winter I thought I'd maybe start with the center console and see how that goes. I'd like to see pics too....

 

[spritenut]

I have a real nice dash in my 69 Midget, I just don't know how to post the picture here.
Solid 3/4" oak with a removable switch bank and removable gauge section. It even has a wood glove box.

 

[tony barnhill]

My '63 Midget has a wood dash - lovely thing!

 

[rulle7]

pictures? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/yesnod.gif

 

[tony barnhill]

 

[Morris]

Tony it's beautiful!

That settles it. The wood dash will be so!

 

[Woodie]

Tony..Wow what a look. I have a 1970. I think the only dash difference is the heater dial, and ignition. What did you make it out of, and what is the bottom finishe trim made from. Do you have a design that you would be willing to share/sell?

 

[tony barnhill]

Just a real thin, pretty piece of walnut...think the bottom finisher is just round foam covered with black vinyl & attached behind the bottom edge of the wood.

 

[drooartz]

Didn't the dash mounting change when the went from the Bugeye-style dash (all sidescreen cars) and the later cars with wind up windows? The dash certainly changed. Is the mounting similar? How about the later padded dash cars?

 

[middleagecrazy]

I haven't figured out how to put the pic in the message but here is a link to it.
https://www.spritespot.com/gallery/TN-Daily-Driver/Walnut_dash

 

[MGNoir]

Kind of curious about the "morality" of a wooden dash on a car that originally didn't have one. Personally I think they are cool as all can be and would love to put one on my '74 Midget - except knowing some people with a "higher level of understanding" might just cringe if they saw it.

 

[tony barnhill]

[ QUOTE ]
Kind of curious about the "morality" of a wooden dash on a car that originally didn't have one. Personally I think they are cool as all can be and would love to put one on my '74 Midget - except knowing some people with a "higher level of understanding" might just cringe if they saw it.

[/ QUOTE ]

& if they do cringe, I really don't give a darn!

My original dash is in a box upstairs in the GarageMahal with all my private parts...its a matter of just installing it if I ever wanted to....

Oh, your reasoning would also say my Nardi wood wheel is sacrilige!

Then, there's all the guys with updated brakes, poly bushings, & (sacrilige of sacriliges) 1275 engines or rib cagfe transmissions in cars that didn't have them! Oh, gos, what about radial tires on cars that only had bias belt tires.

 

[Baz]

[ QUOTE ]
My original dash is in a box upstairs in the GarageMahal with all my private parts.

[/ QUOTE ]
?? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif ??

 

[Morris]

A few months after our daughter was born, I threatned to put my private parts up in the attic "for all the good they're doin' me!"

My wife said I was over reacting.

Ps. MGNoir, I was concerned about the same thing. That's why I started this thread. If Tony says it's okay, then that's it! Tony's word is law around here.

 

[tony barnhill]

[ QUOTE ]
My original dash is in a box upstairs in the GarageMahal with all my private parts.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


?? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif ??

[/ QUOTE ]

Barry - the ground level of my garage (Jerri calls it my GarageMahal) is about 4000 square feet....the upsatair is a little over 1200...it contains a little efficiency apartment I'll someday finish for guests & a huge storage area where I have all kinds of neat things for each of my cars in case I ever need them...plus, if I've modified a car, the original parts are up there....there are dashes, seats, engines, transmissions, fenders, hoods, brightwork - some new, some used but each one earmarked for a car that's downstairs....my grandson will have fun figuring out what they are!

....& each of the cars downstairs that needs something repaired, updated, etc has the new or used parts laying in it (for example: the last time I drove my '63 Midget the clutch finally gave it up...so, there's a complete clutch kit and a new pull starter mechanism & a few other things I'll need when I get to the clutch & all the 'might as well's").

 

[tony barnhill]

[ QUOTE ]
...with all my private parts.

[/ QUOTE ]

Duhh, hit Tony over the head with a stupid stick....I just got it, Barry......hehehehe