Section : Dashboard and Instruments

Dash Top for Mk 2

Posted By : David Lloyd, 08-Nov-2006, 11:00am

• Dash Top for Mk 2

  Posted By : Geoffrey Griffiths, 08-Nov-2006, 03:54pm

  If the Mk 2 is the same as the Mk 1 then it's bull nosed (or rounded). How bad is the original? I had mine re-covered when I rebuilt the car and it's fine. The dash tops are formed around a metal tray for rigidity with the rigid foam over the top and front edge to give a shock absorbing effect. You have to be pretty careful if re-covering to ensure the demister vent slots are in good nick. The metal top finishers do not keep any loose edges down and after time any loose vinyl can obstruct the airway, especially when hot air is being forced past them. Do not use glue to stick the edges it will soon come adrift either with the hot air or through heating up in the sun. I manufactured an aluminium liner to keep the frayed edges down and fixed it through the 2 long bolts of the finisher. Painted matt black you wouldn't know it's there and I know I will not have any flappy bits obstructing air flow.
  
  Geoff

• Dash Top for Mk 2

  Posted By : Rod Dimaline, 09-Nov-2006, 08:30am

  After months of looking I have just managed to get hold of a MkII dashtop which I'm about to recover for my GT6+. Hope the attached image is of some help. If not I can take a different angle shot. I think a Spitfire MkIII dashtop should fit the GT6 MkII, but the design might differ slightly in detail.
  
  Rod

  
  
  Dash Top for Mk 2

  • Dash Top for Mk 2

    Posted By : David Lloyd, 09-Nov-2006, 09:19am

    Thanks a lot Rod. The one I have currently has been very poorly recovered and I notice from the photo that they have also lost the groove detail around the ash tray, though how I can recreate that I don't know. Thanks too Geoffrey for the note about the vents.. v useful to remember, plus the detail on the edge, again mine was so poorly recovered that the foam went beyond the line of the dash so it would not sit flat.

    • Dash Top for Mk 2

      Posted By : Colin Wake, 09-Nov-2006, 12:50pm

      There are about 4 or 5 different dashtops for mk3 spitfires, so I assume that there are 4 or 5 different ones for Mk2 GT6's as they were going down the lines at the same time.
      
      Cheers
      
      Colin

      • Dash Top for Mk 2

        Posted By : David Lloyd, 10-Nov-2006, 09:21am

        I had a look at a spitfire one last night and I notice that the dash would of course have some holes where the cover would clip onto. I also took the horrible cover off mine last night to find a very sticky mess and systematic bodges, though I could make out the grooves around the ashtray which were hidden by the thickness of the replacement cover... Something Rod you may want to be aware of.
        
        Thanks all
        
        David

        • Dash Top for Mk 2

          Posted By : Rod Dimaline, 10-Nov-2006, 12:30pm

          Thanks David. I was going to use sheet vinyl rather than the pre-made covers which I think are fairly thick. Does anyone know what is the best grade/source of material for this job ? I notice Woolies stock several types of vinyl.

          • Dash Top for Mk 2

            Posted By : Geoffrey Griffiths, 13-Nov-2006, 03:32pm

            The guy who did mine used fairly thick pvc sheet with a good woven cloth backing. About 1- 1.5mm thich I believe. Anyway it was probably the best quality (and most expensive--don't skimp on quality). He covered the capping leaving the old covering in place and the thickness probably helped to eliminate any irregularities in the original. The shaping at the ashtray was preserved and the finished article was fine except for the slots for the demisters. See my previous posting
            
            Geoff