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MG MGB GT V8 Factory Originals Technical - Help with a wood dashboard

Hi All,
I am fitting a Mark 1 dash to my 1974 V8 conversion. I am retaining the 74 steering column and I am using UK MGB V8 instrument cowl (80mm gauges etc), center console and the original V8 rectanguler switches. This is LHD so sourcing a nice wooden dash will be impossible due to all my mod's. .
I might alo consider a carbon fibre dash but I am concerned that it would look to modern? If anyone has any photo's or fitting stories or helpful suppliers etc etc, I would appreiate
Regards
Tony
Tony Bates

I've fitted a US-spec '67 dash into a '70 GT I'm building for my wife...lots of cutting & welding required at cowl, firewall where steering comes through (have to use early steering column or whack up dash!), radio console support, etc.....not an easy modification
anthony barnhill

Hi, I have just had a UK V8 Style dash done by a company here in the UK, the actual dash has the veneer bounded to the metal, so actually looks like an original dash rather then the over-dash style that are normally available. You can therefore have what ever cut out's you want ie additional clocks & switches. So persumely they would be able to do left hand dashes as well. The company is called classical dash uk number (01844) 344337. Think they do alot of TVR stuff as well. Here is a picture of my dash, the veneer follows the curve under the dash,. all of the clocks / switches sit on top. link http://www.isdevelopments.fsnet.co.uk/v8mgs/larger_images/mg2003_03_09_01.jpg
Ian Sanders

Hi Ian,
It looks fabulous, his sounds exactly like what I am looking for. How did they fit the verneer arouns the "ends" of the dash and the instrument cluster, both have compound curves. May I ask what the cost was?
Regards
Tony
Tony Bates

Hi,

The veneer goes underneath the dash, on the sharp returns at the end's of the dash, it goes round very slightly to cover the edge, the rest of the dash was a dark colour finish and then a two pack laquer is put over the entire dash, you cannot see the join's or feel the edges either. All in all very pleased with the dash. They can only bond onto metal, on the early chrome bumper dash's the whole dash is metal, and the instrument surround is attached as per normal. On the V8 style UK Dash, the instrument pod is plastic, he veneered a piece of ally which sits on top of the plastic, but the clocks, indicators and warnings light still all go through and sit on top. The cost was around £190 +VAT(only a little more expensive then the Club overdashes. You can also have what ever colour veneeryou want !!. I wanted a traditional Walnut veneer. They have just started doing the door cappings as well - they looked very good, saw these at the MG Owners club event at Brands hatch. If you want some more close up photo's then let me know.

regards

Ian Sanders
Ian Sanders

Ian, that is a thing of beauty!

Jim
Jim Blackwood

Tony have you thought about having it wood grained by a restoration shop?
Steve Nightingale

Do you mean the faux finish that looks like real wood but is only paint/glaze/varnish. I haven't been able to find anyone locally that woul do it for less than $500! Do you know anyone as it would be a graeat solution. Using the wood veneer like Ian had done is probably the best bet if I can find someone in N Cal that will do it for a reasonable (<~$3-400)price.
Regards
Tony
Tony Bates

Tony
I put a 67dash in my 74 and it is a project I will never do again.
I had to change the cowl under the windshield as it is wider on the earlier cars. Then the firewall had to be changed to accept the older steering column. Then convert the wiper back to a two wiper system.

It looks great but took many hours of labor. If I was to do it again I would try to figure out a way to use the metal backing from a 68 to 70 with no glove box. It would use a newer steering column and require much less in the way of modifications.
Good luck
Garret
Garret

Hi all,
Firstly thankyou to Ian Sanders for the very positive feedback concerning your dash. For everyones information we do bond the real wood veneer directly onto the steel dashboard. We felt that this gave a much better finish than the thick plywood overlays available at the moment. As yet we have not had any call for LHD versions, however we would be more than happy to manufacture these. As for costings, they are £190 each and are available in burr walnut, burr elm, burr maple, burr oak and carbon fibre.
We are also developing a new kit which is an overlay. This is molded from a composite material which follows the shape of the dash and then veneered with real wood. The finished thickness of this is just 2.5mm and is bonded on with double sided tape.
If anyone has any enquires, please do not hesitate to contact me
Ian Bond

Ian Bond

Do you have a website?

We cannot email you direct at present.

Sounds like an excellent addition to our options.

cheers
Ian Buckley

Ian Buckley, try this:-

http://www.classical-dash.co.uk/
Derek Nicholson

This thread was discussed between 13/11/2003 and 16/11/2003

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