Replacement Dash Options
 

My car currenly has an ABS dashboard (assuming its a Coverlay) and I'm considering replacing it while the windshield is out.

Looking at either the Stoddard or the Porsche Classic.

Is one of these better than the other? Or is there another option out there I should consider?

Thanks

I’d use the search function or google to find other opinions, but I recall some people being alarmed at how poorly the Porsche Classic dash fit. I could be wrong, but this is what I remember.

That's a tough one now. I'd put a WTB ad here and on the EarlyS and "hope" you can find a factory one. The early cars had Lakewood to choose from several years ago until they went a diff direction on their supplier.I've heard horror stories on the 2 you mentioned above. You'll PAY for a factory one but I'm betting it'll be worth it in the long run, especially if it's for your M491 Coupe. Long shot but check with Frank at Beck's European in Scottsdale or with Bryce at Aase sales. I'm assuming you are looking for a black one? Good luck and keep us posted.

Stoddard also sells a kit to fix your old one. I wonder how those are?

Sierra Madre also offers an aftermarket option. I've seen it in their booth at the last couple Lit Shows.

Thanks all!

Kind of a weird decision tree here. One one hand the the car is a driver, so I think the current ABS unit looks “okay” for that. Gen pop people that get in the car don’t notice it, but Porsche weirdos do of course.

Since I’m having the windshield replaced, it just seems a good time to get the dash back to snuff as well...

Why not just have your original dash recovered? There are several companies that repair/recover. Seem to be around $800. Companies are carbone, Classic9 leather shop, AIR, etc. you can get the nice French stitching. Which jazzes the interior up really nice

That would be my first choice, unfortunately I don’t have the original dash, it’s an ABS replacement unit.

If you have a coverlay. That just fits over a factory dash. You have to have a factory dash underneath that. The coverlay is too flimsy to just use as a dash. Do you have any pics of your current dash??

I'd agree you likely just have a cover over the original, I did one of those when I first bought my car in 93 to hide the cracks, it was an easy thing to put on.

several years back I had to change the windshield and took the oppurtunity to remove that, and have the original dash fixed. I had a local shop pull it, they filled the cracks and sanded it then recovered it in a high quality synthetic leather it looks great

You are probably correct, I just can’t see an edge that looks like a thin cover. I’ll get a better look when the windshield comes out next month...

Is there someone that has installed a Porsche Classic dash able to comment on the fitment?

No, but people who have say it sux

I touch on the poor fitment of a Porsche Classic dash in my latest build video: (around the 50 second mark)

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/2-Re3o1dLEg" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

What I don't talk about is when the doors are closed the gaps at the end are not visible.

Good video thanks!

I wonder if the 77-85 unit has the same issues?

Quick update, photos to follow. I recently had the car in a shop for a windshield replacement, and we decided it would be an opportune time to replace the dash.

Opted for the Porsche Classic unit, and I think it came out really nice. The fit is very good, and it's a nice upgrade from the Coverlay that was in the car. The price actually seems very good for what you get...you can find it on the interwebs for less than 1k.

I can't speak for any fitment issues going in as for this job I chose to have an experienced person do it rather than bashing ahead as I normally do... ;/



Pics when I get a chance.

A couple of pics...
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1601833730.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1601833730.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1601833730.jpg

Looks good Quasi! Is it a texture match to stock?

Great question, with a bit of a convoluted answer.

I believe all the pieces in this car to be original, but there are 3 distinctly different grain patterns among all the parts.

The door panel "Cover Strips", the Seats and the knee pad area of the "Lower Dashboard" all have a very fine, almost smooth pattern.

The gauge surround on the "Lower Dashboard" has a slightly more coarse pattern, as did the original "upper dashboard. The new Porsche Classic unit fairly closely matches this pattern, minus the nearly 40 years of patina. In other words a good grain match, but definitely looks newer than the rest.

The glovebox door has a completely different look to the rest of the interior. Similar grain, but has wrinkles and creases. Weird...

So not a perfect match, but none of it is really, and head and shoulders above the ABS cover... ;)

A better pic...
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1602255088.jpg