Fabricate OR BUY?? who makes the nicest lower dash fascia (non stock))

DW SD · 08-15-2005, 04:31 PM

I need to finish off my dash up to the level of the rest of the car. I am considering fabricating sheet metal to cover the lower portion of my dash, unless there is a nice product, already existing. I don't want stock and lightweight is key. I'm thinking of starting with cardboard templates and then doing steel and covering the sheet metal in thin, closed - cell foam, and then black vinyl to match the trim or black suede to match the steering wheel. I'm also considering rennline's dash product.

I will do a radio, ventilation control and glove box delete (covers everything).

Any good ideas? Pictures adn thoughts would be very much appreciated!!

The theme of the car is '73 RSR. Here's where I'm at now:

Paulporsche · 08-15-2005, 04:45 PM

That car looks great! Maybe sheet aluminum would be better than steel: lighter and easier to cut.

Paulporsche · 08-15-2005, 04:46 PM

That car looks great! Maybe sheet aluminum or a rigid plastic would be better than steel: lighter and easier to cut.

Dennis Kalma · Dennis Kalma's Garage

Interested in your experience, there was a fibreglas one available, I think from Tweeks that offered the option of molded in speaker enclosures, not sure if that was a clever idea or not, but they were also quite expensive.

Personally, I'd go with quite light aluminium, that way you can hammerform around the bumps and still not have too much weight or effort. I'd also powdercoat black or at least dark so that it disappears....

Dennis

DByers · 08-15-2005, 06:09 PM

DW, There is a local PCA member who does this for a side buisness. Uses aluminum and either brushes it or powder coats it to your spec. Will also do raw finish so you can finish yourself. He is usually at our monthly breakfast, but I havent been myself in a few months. I also think he will be at Ventura as he usually is for the swap. Cant remember his name or # but his work looked really nice. I can do a little more recon if youd like.

DW SD · 08-15-2005, 08:13 PM

Dan,
If you have another means for tracking down your contact, I'd be most appreciative. I'm going to try to get this decision resolved very quickly.

Thanks very much,

Doug

PS - does anyone recommend rennline's dash fascia? I'd likely cover any product with vinyl so it matches the rest of the dash.

cali74 · 08-16-2005, 07:31 AM

I'm using Rennline's Al dash and really like it. I was going to form my own out of aluminum but theirs was already shaped properly and saved me lots of headaches. If you're going to do a radio, switches, etc. - you can have them cut the holes to save you some work, though I didn't do this as right now I have a perfectly clean dash. I can post pics later

note - the dash matches their pedal boards really well too!

DW SD · 08-16-2005, 07:33 AM

Cali74-
Thank you for your reply! I'm in Encinitas, where are you? Maybe I could check out your dash setup?

Doug

DByers · 08-16-2005, 08:11 AM

Doug, This is a picture of the Rennline dash unit. You could probably cover it in your material of choice or leave as is. Looks really nice. Looks as if our host can get these also.

Jeff Alton · 08-16-2005, 02:11 PM

The one in Porsche Doc's RSR has me wanting this as well. The rennline one looks nice also...

Jeff

911SCfanatic · 911SCfanatic's Garage

Does anyone sell an OE looking aluminum piece that covers the radio opening? I think I saw Raynald had one in a post from about a year or so ago. It looked exactly like the OE aluminum trim, but was one continuous piece.

TRE Cup · TRE Cup's Garage

Since i am partial to the early car look; i would suggest getting the aluminum trim from a 69-73 and installing that. then get your choice of finish inlay for the trim insert . It does not address the glove box door unless you make a facsimile cover , glue on the base trim, then the insert. Next- get a set of kneepads to finish it all off. Not as light as the rennline or some other options, but a more finished retro look

clevy70911T · clevy70911T's Garage

Very cool ! We of course would like some more pics please.

Jeff Alton · 08-17-2005, 07:39 AM

I looked at the Rennline website and can't tell what it uses for the end plates of the dash.
Cali74, could you show us a pic of that area? Does it use part of the factory knee guard there?

Thanks, Jeff

cali74 · 08-17-2005, 07:48 AM

sorry, was too busy to post last night...

the ends of the dash aren't covered by the Al. plate. I would say that's the weakness that would need to be thought about if you wanted every detail dealt with. To dress it up you could add trim pieces on either side and even a long knee pad to be really fancy though I like the extra knee room as is.

oh yeah, I don't have the factory knee gaurds so I don't know how they attach - that would be a good idea to use the stockers

cali74 · 08-17-2005, 07:30 PM

Pictures!

cali74 · 08-17-2005, 07:31 PM

Jeff Alton · 08-17-2005, 08:14 PM

Thanks for the pics. How does it attatch?

Jeff

cali74 · 08-17-2005, 08:27 PM

i used two of the self-tapping screws the kit provided. There were a bunch that came with it, but I only felt like two were needed for now

DW SD · 08-17-2005, 09:25 PM

Thanks for the photos! Looks nice! I ordered one in a black crinkle powder coat finish. If I don't like the finish, I'll wrap it in closed cell phone and then vinyl or black suede to match the steering wheel.

Doug