Dash top recommendations Options

[PCH]

Hi everyone:

As we're getting closer to putting the '71-4 back together after rust removal and paint, a dash replacement will be in order.

I'd love to hear recommendations as to what dash options there are and what people's experiences were with installation, fit and quality.

Thanking you for your time in advance.

Peter

[bzettner]

While I haven't been down that path yet, as my original dash still looks pretty good, I've read nothing but positive stuff on here about 914Rubber!

[JamesM]

Hi everyone:

As we're getting closer to putting the '71-4 back together

The problem you are going to run into with a 71 is that all aftermarket dash tops currently available are of the 72+ mold. While from the top they look the same the recess underneath to clear the glovebox door is smaller on the later cars and when used on a 71 will prohibit you from opening your glovebox door properly.

Why only the late style is made IDK. Its been suggested several times to use the early mold as it will work on both early and late cars but, here we are.

Only option for an early car other than the near impossible task of finding a good original 70-71 dash is to send it somewhere like Just Dashes to get it recovered which best case is about a 6 month wait and in the ballpark of 1500-2000 bucks all said and done. They don't have an exact match for the factory texture either.

[mepstein]

Hi everyone:

As we're getting closer to putting the '71-4 back together

The problem you are going to run into with a 71 is that all aftermarket dash tops currently available are of the 72+ mold. While from the top they look the same the recess underneath to clear the glovebox door is smaller on the later cars and when used on a 71 will prohibit you from opening your glovebox door properly.

Why only the late style is made IDK. Its been suggested several times to use the early mold as it will work on both early and late cars but, here we are.

Only option for an early car other than the near impossible task of finding a good original 70-71 dash is to send it somewhere like Just Dashes to get it recovered which best case is about a 6 month wait and in the ballpark of 1500-2000 bucks all said and done. They don't have an exact match for the factory texture either.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) I once bought a parts car, mostly for the perfect early dash. It’s sitting on a shelf for my GT build. 914 rubber dash looks good but doesn’t look original. George at AA says his are perfect but he says that about every part he sells.

[barefoot]

Depending on your budget, dash caps can be had for lots less than a new aftermarket version. They're quite presentable.

[JamesM]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) I once bought a parts car, mostly for the perfect early dash. It’s sitting on a shelf for my GT build. 914 rubber dash looks good but doesn’t look original. George at AA says his are perfect but he says that about every part he sells.

and neither one fits the early glovebox doors.

When I was still at PMB we received a pre-production dash top from a 3rd vendor that looked to be of higher quality and the closest in terms of texture and overall dimensions of any aftermarket dash I have seen, but it had two issues. 1. The color wasnt dark enough, and 2. It was the 72+ mold. We gave them feedback but I never saw an updated part. Hoping something comes of it as it was a very nice piece.

[mepstein]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) I once bought a parts car, mostly for the perfect early dash. It’s sitting on a shelf for my GT build. 914 rubber dash looks good but doesn’t look original. George at AA says his are perfect but he says that about every part he sells.

and neither one fits the early glovebox doors.

When I was still at PMB we received a pre-production dash top from a 3rd vendor that looked to be of higher quality and the closest in terms of texture and overall dimensions of any aftermarket dash I have seen, but it had two issues. 1. The color wasnt dark enough, and 2. It was the 72+ mold. We gave them feedback but I never saw an updated part. Hoping something comes of it as it was a very nice piece.

I once mentioned to Mark that if he did an early dash, he could charge more since it was needed by the six crowd. I know you can modify the later dashes but that’s still not the solution. Just dashes do a nice job but very expensive and still don’t look original. At one point, I almost sold one of my extra dashes but it doesn’t make sense for me to make a couple hundred dollars and basically not be able to replace it for any amount. Sort of like nice early leather steering wheels.

[JamesJ]

I am very pleased with the appearance of my new dash from AutoAtlanta, and I'm picky; but I have not yet installed it, so I cannot speak about it's fitment.

[JamesM]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) I once bought a parts car, mostly for the perfect early dash. It’s sitting on a shelf for my GT build. 914 rubber dash looks good but doesn’t look original. George at AA says his are perfect but he says that about every part he sells.

and neither one fits the early glovebox doors.

When I was still at PMB we received a pre-production dash top from a 3rd vendor that looked to be of higher quality and the closest in terms of texture and overall dimensions of any aftermarket dash I have seen, but it had two issues. 1. The color wasnt dark enough, and 2. It was the 72+ mold. We gave them feedback but I never saw an updated part. Hoping something comes of it as it was a very nice piece.

I once mentioned to Mark that if he did an early dash, he could charge more since it was needed by the six crowd. I know you can modify the later dashes but that’s still not the solution. Just dashes do a nice job but very expensive and still don’t look original. At one point, I almost sold one of my extra dashes but it doesn’t make sense for me to make a couple hundred dollars and basically not be able to replace it for any amount. Sort of like nice early leather steering wheels.

Yeah if you were going to go the modification route, at least on a stock dash, you still need to get it recovered as the black (vinyl?) layer is just a wrap over a foam core and at that point might as well just start with an early.

Trimming one of the 914rubber solid rubber dash tops might be an option but AFAIK he hasnt made the solid rubber ones in some time. Also probably not an option if you doing a high dollar factory six build. They were good for a clean driver (I have one on one of my cars) but like most aftermarket parts they had some issues.