Dash Face Covering

schwarb2 · schwarb2's Garage

I am getting ready to replace the dash front material on my 1970 914-6.

All of the restoration guides and catalogs show basket weave material. Mine currently is faced in leather and I was wondering if there is any way this could be original.

The area from the windshield to the dash top also appears to be the same leather.

Anyone have any thoughts?

Thanks.

Barry

philinjax · 04-08-2003, 01:03 PM

I'm facing the same thing right now. I found good quality Nagahyde material at a local fabric store (my wife turned me on to this) that looks identical to the original old piece I took out on top of the dash which fits between the windshield and the dash top. I used the junk piece I took out of the car as a template to cut the new stuff. Haven't installed it yet,
have to pull the windshield and dash top to do the job properly. While at it, I will replace the windshield inside bottom seal which I ordered from Pelican. BTW, I plan on applying a narrow (like 1.25 inch strip) of window tinting material all around the inside of the windshield edge before installing it. I will also be using a rubber outer windshield trim rather than the stock aluminum stuff. Here is a pic. of it:

http://images.prosperpoint.com/1070/54506-90.jpg

Phil

schwarb2 · schwarb2's Garage

Phil:

What about the front of the dash - where the radio and glove compartment are? Are you going to use the same material there?

Thanks.

Barry

PS Great top-off weather today - on the car I mean!

Jim Chambers · 04-08-2003, 01:59 PM

I have read that leather was an optional interior material on the six. Any chance yours was once all leather? If it were me, and I had vinyl seats and door panels, I would use basket weave vinyl.
Most sixes had basket weave seats and dash face, smooth vinyl on the door panels.
To do the job right you really need to remove all the controls and then remove the metal backing which is held in place by 2-sided tape. It is very difficult to do a clean job of gluing the vinyl with the metal backing in place on the dash since it needs to wrap around and tuck under the ends of the metal backing.

philinjax · 04-08-2003, 02:05 PM

Barry,
My dash face material looks good. Not going to replace it.
Phil

Jim Chambers · 04-08-2003, 02:11 PM

Phil,
Tell me more about the rubber trim. Does the glass fit in the groove visible on the right in the picture? Where did you purchase the rubber? Assume it is still necessary to use a sealing bead to hold the windshield in. I need to remove and reinstall my windshield and want to use the rubber trim myself.

philinjax · 04-08-2003, 03:03 PM

Jim,
I have used several different rubber/plastic windshield seals in the past, none of which could comfortably make the 90 degree turn at the outer bottom edges of the 914 windshield without deforming to some degree or more. Then, like a strike out of webville, I found the best stuff going. This windshield seal is tight, flexible, and looks the best I have seen. Problem is, 75 feet is the least you can order. I have only done one windshield so I have a bunch of the stuff left over. I want to keep enough to do at least two more cars so I figure I have at least 20 feet left. If you want it, I will sell to you for $20.00, including shipping, or you can order directly from GGGCorp: http://www.gggcorp.com/ecoline.htm

The part number I bought is T-105BFL-75. Beautiful stuff.

You are correct that a sealing bead is required but that bead only has to be about 1/8 inch thick to get to the correct level.

Phil

Jim Chambers · 04-08-2003, 03:47 PM

Phil, please mail me direct at jimchambers41@hotmail.com I would like to buy the extra 20 feet. "Correct depth" is my problem. The clips won't properly grab the trim because the PO used too thick bead and windshield is too far away from the body. I plan to remove and use the rubber instead. Since you have done a couple, I may touch you for more specific help later on. Thanks

schwarb2 · schwarb2's Garage

Jim:

I am going to order the build sheet from the factory and see if that is the case.

Mine has smooth door panels, but the seat inserts have been upholstered with a blue tartan plaid cloth.

I agree about the difficulty in getting the dash face done right. I was enlarging the radio opening to hold a standard DIN mount radio and part of the metal plate came unstuck. The way the leather or basket weave wrpas around the metal plate is extremely important if you want it to look right. Simply glueing it and triming the edges is not the right way.

Barry