I did a similar treatment on my R-look '68, fabbing my own panels and covering with vinyl (no hi-dollar leather here, unfortunately), pull straps for the lexan windows, and making the door handle out of a piece of 3/16" x 1" aluminum bar stock. I just polished the handle to a "brushed" finish and didn't bother covering it with a fabric sleeve.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1350137827.jpg

Good luck with your build. It took me 5 years for mine, but it's fun as heck now that it's done.

TT

Progress update:

Found a great welder who has been kind enough to take on the replacement sheet metal. It's coming along nicely! Fuel pan is in, rear shelf is in, radio and ash tray deletes are in! Pics to come!

What material did you use for the brown leather straps?

If you're referring to the leather for my project, the leather comes from old cut up leather belts. I'll be using vintage tan hide for character; door stops, pull straps, etc...

Dash in leather. New fascia metal and perforated insert. Paint is satin black. Gauges haven't been addressed yet, but you know they're going to NoHo.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1367106105.jpg

Great work.

Thanks man.

Interior
 

German square-weave under a bit of chrome...

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1367693285.jpg

Just came across your interesting thread. Nice work. I need to do the same. Can you expand on how you covered the dash- what crack filler and glue did you use? Did you use one piece leather or did you make a cut line at the transition? Who supplied the leather?
Where did you get the square weave carpet?
Cheers.....

Thanks.

After removing the dash and stripping the cracked vinyl, I cleaned the metal, spray with a rust inhibitor, and then laid one large leather directly over. Fitting it was a tedious. I started in the middle and worked outwards; used a green contact glue just under the lip along the perimeter. I used a bit more around the contours and it fit/adhered to a smooth finish. I cut an oversized outline of the dash, but that made me a bit nervous as I came close to running out of room as I approached the passenger side...

The fascia/dash had the usual ash try and later-model radio cut outs in the metal. I spot welded the openings closed completely. The look originally was to leave the fascia uncovered and just have a smooth metal finish. I found a complete four-piece metal trim set on eB*y in mint condition so I couldn't pass it up... the perforated leather was bought through Pelican.

I used the same glue on between the perforated leather and the metal trim. That wasn't too difficult. I started from the center and worked my way outwards.

I plan on making a mahogany insert to swap with the perforated leather eventually. I like the idea of having different sets to compliment different looks. Either way I do plan on adding a pair of track watches mounted where the radio used to be on a polished metal plate.

So many directions, yet so little time and soon money!

-Steve