New Dash Pad or Recover?

[painteddash]

I need to either replace or repair the existing upper vinyl dash pad on my '84 Carrera (has lots of cracks) and would like to know the negatives and positives of both options (repair/recover existing or buy new) and the overall recommendation. I know that Porsche Classic does have a dash available, but I have not been able to find any customer feedback on the quality and fit. I also know there are other aftermarket dashes available, but have no way to know how many different ones there are or how to distinguish the quality between them. I have read about some of the recovering options such as 'Just Dashes" or 'Classic 9 Leather Shop', but I couldn't find anything really definitive about those options either. I would appreciate any help from somebody that has experience with recovering or replacing their dash and could provide some information to help me make an informed decision. Thank you for your help.

[dw1]

I strongly suggest checking out Classic 9 Leather Shop.

They recovered the dash in my '87 some years ago and it has held up great.

I did have to remove the dash and send it to them, but that was not that much of a problem in the 84 - 89 cars, i.e. no windshield removal required as it is for the earlier 911 models. Shipping cost far less than I thought it would.

[Jonny042]

The dash in your car probably fits, and if you have it repaired and recovered it probably still will.

I've never heard anything good about a replacement dash. No matter the source.

[MikeDL]

Tony at Autobahn Interiors restored my '68 broken-in-two-pieces dash pad. Absolutely flawless work.

[Glenfield]

I’d strongly suggest you work with your original dash and a local artisan. I bought a dash from Lakewell believing you get what you pay for. Fit was terrible and cost a small fortune to make work (and is still pretty poor). Customer service wasn’t much better sadly.

[dreichman]

I have replaced two dashes. Both using a new Porsche dash. No problems whatsoever. Fit was great. I always removed the glass when I did it. It may be possible to do it without removal, but much easier once the glass is out.

[Harpo]

Talking from experience use your existing dash. I purchased an extra dash to have to re upholstered and guess what it doesn't fit, not even close. Half of the studs don't line up with the holes in the sheet metal and now I'm out the cost of the dash and the cost of re upholstery.

David

[Jonny042]

Originally Posted by dreichman

I have replaced two dashes. Both using a new Porsche dash. No problems whatsoever. Fit was great. I always removed the glass when I did it. It may be possible to do it without removal, but much easier once the glass is out.

That's good to hear - maybe they've upped their game?

Can you elaborate on what model year the cars were and when you purchased the dashes from Porsche?

[Jonny042]

Originally Posted by Glenfield

I’d strongly suggest you work with your original dash and a local artisan. I bought a dash from Lakewell believing you get what you pay for. Fit was terrible and cost a small fortune to make work (and is still pretty poor). Customer service wasn’t much better sadly.

I also bought an aftermarket dash (from Car point) thinking the same thing. It is/was the exact same dash as the lakewell dash as I believe at the time there was really only one wholesale source supplying to all the parts suppliers (perhaps even including Porsche).

Fit was terrible and it required many hours of fitting. If I was charging a client for the time it would easily have eclipsed the cost of the dash.

Now that it's in the car and I made it work it looks great.

[creaturecat]

given the comments?
if you take it to a refinisher - you can at least see the product before paying for it.

[timchar]

I purchased a new one for my 75 from pelican, think it was about 1300.00 for an original porsche pad. Fit and looks great. Tim

[Jonny042]

Originally Posted by timchar

I purchased a new one for my 75 from pelican, think it was about 1300.00 for an original porsche pad. Fit and looks great. Tim

Recently? Any pics by chance? Maybe they've managed to bring something decent to market, which is great news.

[dreichman]

Originally Posted by Jonny042

That's good to hear - maybe they've upped their game?

Can you elaborate on what model year the cars were and when you purchased the dashes from Porsche?

The first dash I replaced was in 1995 in a 1982 SC. Only minimal issues. No surprises really. The second dash was in 2019 in a 1972 T. No real problems either. I’m sorry to hear others had issues, but I cannot report the same. Keep us posted as to your decision and any issues that come up.

[Evans, Marv]

I had my dash "remade" by Just Dashes around 03 to '05. As I understood it at the time, the only things they reused were the small metal parts of my old dash. The fit & finish were perfect. At the time it was expensive (I thought) at $600. It took more than four months to get it. They were tryiing to wait for enough similar Porsche dashes to make a run of them. I got mine back pretty soon after complaining to them about the wait time.

[painteddash]

I appreciate everyone's input and comments and will do a follow up once I make a decision about restoring the old, or purchasing a new dash. I am leaning towards purchasing a new dash from Porsche, but I am still checking around on the recover option. I was unable to find a phone number contact that works for Classic 9 Leather Shop if anyone has one? Thanks again for the help.

[dw1]

https://www.classic9leathershop.com/
Email: info@classic9leathershop.com
PHONES: M-F 10 to 4pm • (313) 241 6176 •

I'm not sure if Rob Budd is still running the place, but he is a great guy to work with.

Btw, there is a link via the web site for samples of the materials, if you feel the need.

Fyi, I am in no way affiliated, but am just a VERY satisfied customer.

[germanwheels]

I just completed a full interior on my 86 911. Prior to setting out on the project, I was told by numerous people that the glass had to come out to recover the dash. As it turns out, removing the gauges was all that was needed. While difficult, it is possible to recover the dash on a 1986 car without removing the glass. [I assume that other years do require the glass to be removed, so a strong word of caution if you have a car for a different year.]

I have to say having leather everywhere is really nice. I love it.

My trimmer charged me $1,200 dollars to remove, repair, and cover my dash in leather. I reinstalled it in the car, myself. While my trimmer is very skilled and knowledgeable about vintage Porsche interiors, he was very slow, very slow indeed. So I'm not going to recommend him. Good luck with yours. Please post some pics.

[Harpo]

Originally Posted by painteddash

I appreciate everyone's input and comments and will do a follow up once I make a decision about restoring the old, or purchasing a new dash. I am leaning towards purchasing a new dash from Porsche, but I am still checking around on the recover option. I was unable to find a phone number contact that works for Classic 9 Leather Shop if anyone has one? Thanks again for the help.

They are not good about answering the phone, claim to be very busy. Email is how I communicate with them. andrewatclassic9leathershopdotcom

[Harpo]

Originally Posted by dw1

https://www.classic9leathershop.com/
Email: info@classic9leathershop.com
PHONES: M-F 10 to 4pm • (313) 241 6176 •

I'm not sure if Rob Budd is still running the place, but he is a great guy to work with.

Btw, there is a link via the web site for samples of the materials, if you feel the need.

Fyi, I am in no way affiliated, but am just a VERY satisfied customer.

Robert has retired