Warped Leather Dash - Options?

[Coultl]

My '84 has a badly warped leather dash. It looks like they literally glued the dash to the chassis to reduce warping. Lasted 40 years so I guess I'm okay with this hack job. Ha.

What are my options for repair or replacement. I assume the dash is toast so I guess I need to buy a new dash and cover it. The factory dash is $1250 and then I need to cover it. Are there any other better options out there?

Thanks in advance!

[Otter74]

Factory leather dashes nearly all seem to end up warped after this many decades.

A more economical option would be to find a good used dash core and send it out. I did this five years ago (but in vinyl) all in for about the number you mention above, if my memory serves me well. I used Auto Innovations in LA, there is also Just Dashes, and a place in Dearborn, MI whose name I can't recall.

[Flat6pac]

The factory covered the defective vinyl dash cover with leather
My camel leather had a dark red dash under the shrinkage.
Bruce

[faverymi]

A competent upholstery shop would recover this in leather without any problems

You gonna have to ask around your neck of the woods

I would look for a hotrod restomod type of specialist. What I've seen coming from those shops is nothing but pure art and craftmanship.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Originally Posted by Otter74

Factory leather dashes nearly all seem to end up warped after this many decades.

A more economical option would be to find a good used dash core and send it out. I did this five years ago (but in vinyl) all in for about the number you mention above, if my memory serves me well. I used Auto Innovations in LA, there is also Just Dashes, and a place in Dearborn, MI whose name I can't recall.

This is what I did for my 84, the main issue being the vent opening warping. Found an excellent used dash for not that much and sent it to Tony Garcia, Autobahn Interiors. Excellent job as you would expect.

[Lyle O]

Originally Posted by Otter74

Factory leather dashes nearly all seem to end up warped after this many decades.

A more economical option would be to find a good used dash core and send it out. I did this five years ago (but in vinyl) all in for about the number you mention above, if my memory serves me well. I used Auto Innovations in LA, there is also Just Dashes, and a place in Dearborn, MI whose name I can't recall.

The place in Dearborn, MI is Classic 9 Leather Shop. They have done several projects for me over the years (door-pockets, seats, steering wheel, roll-bar wrap, etc.) and are very good. You should reach out to them for another good data point on what to do.

https://www.classic9leathershop.com/

Good luck with your project.

Lyle.

[mooch29]

My dash was mangled on my 86 (also the leather dash). Entire thing was warped, the sides where it meets the door rails, the vent didn't fit right, I couldn't even pull the RPM gauge out without having someone force the dash up while I pulled.

Ended up ordering a replacement dash from Carpoint. Fits great, not leather, but since I needed to re-wrap my door rails it all matches now.

[GeorgeK]

Putting a material thet shrinks when dried and warmed up (leather) under a windshield was not Porsche's brightest idea.

Leather recovered dash will do the same eventually, it will be insidious, but it will happen.

[30westrob]

Originally Posted by GeorgeK

Putting a material thet shrinks when dried and warmed up (leather) under a windshield was not Porsche's brightest idea.

Leather recovered dash will do the same eventually, it will be insidious, but it will happen.

Wise advice above
On my 82 911SC I painted a replacement dash with SEM vinyl paint to match the brown leather interior. It held up well and looked great. Rob

[stevie 77 930]

I sent my dash for restoration to Tony @ Autobahn Interiors. Additionally, while not really in bad condition, I had him do the door tops as well.
Previous dash was kind of a mess with the typical warping and separation in all of the usual places. I can say is this turned out really nice and smells really good too!