A while back, I redid the dash.

My '75 car had the later style basket weave dash face with the metal embedded inside. It was pretty beat up.

I cut a new dash face out of Formica, got some of the earlier style basket weave and glued it using the 3M Super Adhesive. 9 months later, it is pealing around the cutouts. I DID make it larger than the actual dash face plate and it is tucked underneath the dash top and the lower dash pad. It won't do.

Since I really won't have basketweave anywhere else in the car, I am thinking of maybe doing something else unique to the dash face.

Options...

1. Brushed aluminum dash face. This would look good with my silver Prototipo steering wheel, silver gauge rings, and the brushed aluminum pedal board





2. Cover dash face and lower dash face in black felt ala 914-6 GT. My only hesistations are a. I would really like to keep the lower dash pad, and two the GTs didn't have the air vents on the dash, so my car will look a bit odd.



I could still do just the dash face. And the upper dash too. This would aid in reducing glare on the windshield



3. Carbon fiber - I "could" do this. I do have a carbon fiber fan shroud on my engine.






4. Cut a dash face plat out of black ABS plastic that has some sort of grain to it (similar to the dash pads).

no pics



5. Have a dash face cut out of metal and powder coat it to match the silver powder coated gauge rings...





I am looking for opinions and suggestions...

qarl, you are my twin!

i have a brushed AL prototipo, a 904 gauge, etc....

im making a brushed AL dash insert....

First off, did you remove and coat the O.E. rings or install some kind of kit? Do you have the correct ring crimper and if so where did you get it?
Second, suggestions = paint it body color, wood veneer, "engine turned" aluminum (scotch loc disc in a drill press does a great job), brushed aluminum

The gauges were redone by Palo Alto Speedometer. I didn't touch them. They powdercoated new rings and crimped them on when the gauges were refurbished.

I don't like the body color dash face. I have seen a few and didn't care for it.

It has to either be black or silver... I just gotta figure out which way to do it.

Karl Final meeting Monday with manufacturer for the brushed stainless steel dash inserts.The plan is to make them for all options, and for all years.
I have all of the templates and just need to finalize the number of different sets that will need to be made to correspond with the different 914s.
One thing I have not been successful at is the gauge bezel overlays. I did go to China for intital setup. Cost was way more than I wanted it to be. It would have been years to get into the red.
Craig

I love the texture of the guage panel - how did you do that? I vote for the dash face done the same way.

Heck... that's an option too...

The gauge panel is plastic... the '75 and '76 cars came that way instead of the metal gauge holders in the '70 to '74.

I could get some crinkle paint to do the same thing...

However, I want to eliminate some things on the dash... like some of the switch holes and the rectangular seat belt warning light cutout.

Craig...

My only issue is I'd like the dash face to have the following...

1. One contiguous piece from left side to left side of glove box. Separate piece for glove box
2. Holes for headlights, foglight, hazard switches and cigaratte lighter
3. Delete hole for seatbelt warning light
4. DIN cutout for radio
5. Cut to fit '75 or '76. I think it is different below the steering column...

QUOTE (Qarl @ Mar 5 2005, 10:37 PM)

Craig... My only issue is I'd like the dash face to have the following... 1. One contiguous piece from left side to left side of glove box. Separate piece for glove box 2. Holes for headlights, foglight, hazard switches and cigaratte lighter 3. Delete hole for seatbelt warning light 4. DIN cutout for radio 5. Cut to fit '75 or '76. I think it is different below the steering column...

im a stickler for 1 piece around the column (pull column to install)

Time to start poking around the internet to see if sheets of vinyl grain or plastic sheets are available.
Be back shortly.

You can get textured powder coat. I don't know if the texture could be exactly matched to the plastic, but if not you could replace the housing with a steel one. I would get a strip of 18 gauge sheet metal, cut to fit and cut the holes you want and get it coated if you like that look.

Speaking of dash faces, does anyone have a dash face already drawn up? Any cad files you guys want to share? Or maybe just some dimensions? I dont really want to start from scratch, but I will if I have to.

I like the idea of possibly matching the crinkle finish of the dash cluster...

I have some ideas now...

Hmmm.....

Got it ABS plastic sheeting with leather grain or pebble grain.
Like the dash caps stuff.
Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS)is one of the most widely used plastics. As a result of its high impact resistance and suitability for heavy duty applications,ABS has found wide acceptance in the refrigeration and automotive industries, as well as for the printing and display markets. ABS is particularly suitable for vacuum forming.
ABS can be manufactured in a range of thicknesses from 200micron to 5mm with a maximum width of 1600mm. It is available in leather grain, fine grain and deep grain finishes on thicknesses of 1.5mm-3mm and specific colours can be made to order.
Specialised ABS products incorporating extruded layers of acrylic for superior resistance to UV attack can be manufactured.

High impact polystyrene (HIPS) sheet is manufactured by Ampaglasin thicknesses ranging from 200 micron to 4mm.

HIPS sheet has multiple applications in many markets, it can be vacuum formed, silk screened and machined. It is suitable for point of sale display units, indoor signage, showcases and packaging inserts.
HIPS sheet is also extensively used in the refrigeration andautomotive markets, where its superior qualities for thermoforming make it a versatile choice.

QUOTE (boxstr @ Mar 5 2005, 09:13 PM)

Karl Final meeting Monday with manufacturer for the brushed stainless steel dash inserts.The plan is to make them for all options, and for all years. I have all of the templates and just need to finalize the number of different sets that will need to be made to correspond with the different 914s.

I'd be interested in one for the 70. Depending on price, I might go for one for the 72 also.

Anodized aluminum? I am in the same quest right now. I have similar gauge bezels, and a similar wheel.

Vinyl with silver trim?

i have a guy that is going to cut out mine from aluminum on a waterjet machine, but i have to send him a template for my 76 first. I dont have a seatbelt hole, and im deleting my radio, but other than that, should be the same. He said the first one cost the most, so ill prob have like four to six made and sell the others.

XSboost90

I may be interested...

I would like one as described above...

2 switch holes on the left...

1 switch hole on the right and cigarette lighter hole

No seatbelt light

DIN radio cutout

Blower control cutout

Panel to cover glove box

When you get to it, let me know what the price may be.

I am interested in brushed aluminum or brushed stainless...

QUOTE (Qarl @ Mar 6 2005, 09:25 AM)

XSboost90 I may be interested... I would like one as described above... 2 switch holes on the left... 1 switch hole on the right and cigarette lighter hole No seatbelt light DIN radio cutout Blower control cutout Panel to cover glove box When you get to it, let me know what the price may be. I am interested in brushed aluminum or brushed stainless...

yup me too....

headlight/hazard/fog (1 piece around the column) cigarette lighter (no seatbelt light) DIN radio cutout | NO DOOR HANDLE HOLES

What are door handle holes?

QUOTE (Qarl @ Mar 6 2005, 09:34 AM)

What are door handle holes?

glove box door holes (where the handle screws on)

Aah.... yes.. those can always be added on later.

I'm in for one exactly like aarons. Except I want mine cheaper

I will take some pics later today. The idea of someone who buys the insert removing there steering column to install is not going to be that widely accepted. The seat belt light delte I already have them in the works.
There will be inserts for the 70-72 and the 73-74 and the 75-76. Stock radio cutouts and DIN cutouts. The glovebox door will be seperate.
I have the manufacturing costs already worked out and the different templates in hand. I just need to get the different DIN sizes, (anyone??) Retail costs are going to be kept low as I try to do with all of the CAMP 914 products.
Craig C. Laughlin CAMP 914

CRAIG ... Did this go anywhere.. I'm looking now for a Stainless or Brushed aluminum dash option and the only thing I can find is the 9xAuto kit.

Not heard good things about them, so am still trying to look around..

???

i got the best suggestion so far... balsa wood! the DAPO did that to my dash very ghetto i might add i dont have any pics of it handy but

I have been making these for awhile now. I have adapted the design so it just slips over the sterring column. The other way really was a pain in the a**. I always made them to the customers specs. Some with cut outs some without. All were made from 16ga aluminum.

Here's a pic of the last one I made without radio and heater.

Click to view attachment

brian! where have you been!!!

how much for one where i need to pull the column to install?
no radio/no heater

hl/flshr/fog column fog2/defrost/ no radio/no seatbelt / no heater

Except Qarl did it about 5 years before your copy-cat'n ass!

B L O W me eric. this thread is old..........

Aaron,

I'll send you a PM. Anything in flat metal I cut with a cnc plasma cutter.

Do you remeber seeing these at all. They were at the WCC last year.

Click to view attachment

yup! high quality stuff!!

I would also like to know the cost, I have been looking for this also. Can you PM me with a price? Sorry about the

Me Too
But I would like to keep my heater & sterio...

Wait a minute boys... What about the poor guy who resurected this thread?

I need one, and love the fact athat I probably won't have to pull the steering column to install it.

I'm not sure of what I need for holes yet as my car is still on its way to me... I'll PM you later with the details and you can give me a price.

What is the best way to fix them to the dash? Do you also do the cover for the glovebox?

Doug

Looks like we have a winner here. Count me in for one as well.

Ok I have received many emails and PM's. I also tried to contact Craig to see if he is selling these. I didnt want to undercut his prices and also wanted to try and work with him. He didnt respond though, I am guessing he doesnt sell them anymore or it never materialize into anything. His post was from 2005.
I sell these for $50 plus shipping. Any combo can be made for switches or cut outs. If your interested send me an email and I will send you more info.

These look awesome, but I want to do a wood face dash. Anyone have a generic outline template or dimensions for a one piece face????

Or how about a general size of the piece of wood I need. Lots of nice 1/4", 1/8" and veneers available in Zebrawood and such. Any suggestions?

It seems this measurement or template is more sacred than the top windshield seal.

Like this, beautiful!!

The wood looks good, but the steel looks sharp. Brian, do you have a pic of a completed installation?? MSG L

Now that is the nicest wood layout I have ever seen. I got wood over the wood

sand and paint it... I did mine with a hammered finish paint...

I will email some of my previous customers and see if I can get some pics.

Hi Brian,
Do you cut out for the glove box lock (I can not tell from your picture) and is there a separate piece for the glove box itself?

I am still very interested but would I also would like to see how it looks installed.

Bill

Finished installed pics?
Do you have the glove box door and the far right piece for a 70-71 dash without the vents?

My car's personality is minimalist... no amenities, simple and light as possible without body mods. So...
This won't be everyone's cup of tea, but with the heater/air controls, glove box, and everything else gone, it was a super quick job.

Took the dash pads off, shaved a couple bumps off the metal, put aluminim tape over the holes, sprayed a little adhesive, layed the material on, and put the dash pads back.

I'm thinking of redoing with black vinyl, but my son wanted to see how it looked with burlap...

i think im doing the same thing, no HVAC contols, or radio...... but keeping the glovebox

doing it in felt i believe....

That's exactly what I'm doing!

copycats...