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Thu Nov 03, 2005 2:46 am

so... just bought my bug,and.. she needs some new parts. other than new seats (REALLY bad) about half my dashboard is missing. heres the thing-- i HATE the vinyl/plastic/whatever dashboard. i was a metal one. i dont know if a older metal dashboard is something that bolts in, or is just a part thats already in (like part of the shell)
any answers? if this sounds dumb, im somewhat sorry... but i really have very little idea what im talking about. all i know is i think my dashboard is ugly, and i want to change it. thanks!

Thu Nov 03, 2005 4:09 am

There is a metal dash under the pad. Search the gallery and you'll find pictures of what it looks like.

You'll have to weld up some of the extra holes and will have minor issues with the ashtrat and the defroster vents.

Here's a 69 dash with the pad removed.

Here's a 71:

Here's another... you get the idea.

Thu Nov 03, 2005 6:17 am

Love that look. I just finished a 72 for my son and I think he would really like the older look, but I was too chicken to remove the ugly pad. Now I know what to expect. THANKS!

Thu Nov 03, 2005 12:01 pm

yeah thanks a ton man. i kinda figured that was whats up.. now i know.

Sat Nov 05, 2005 2:55 pm

so i think im running into the holes you were talking about welding? theres a ton of screws that i really cant think of any use for other than holding the dashpad on?
my real problem is that i dont know how to take the speedo and that plate its on off to get all the pad out? any help?

Sat Nov 05, 2005 3:19 pm

The bezel has a few prongs that go into the trunk and are twisted to hold it in. The speedo comes out through the trunk and has 2 screws holding it.

Sun Nov 06, 2005 6:49 am

This may not apply, since you already have the car, but some post 68 cars did still have the metal dash. You might look around for some in the classifieds.
I think the padded dash was mandated for the US, but not implemented until later in other markets. I have seen around town a 68 identical to mine in every way except for the dash and low-back seats. I suspect it came from Canada.

Sun Nov 06, 2005 6:51 am

You are correct that in 68 the padded dash was mandated by the US DOT. in Europe and other markets they still had a all metal dash.

Sun Nov 06, 2005 8:03 pm

well thats cool, i didnt know that. anybody know why the pad was mandated? it really doesnt seem like it (would have) done anything..
anyway, the dash removal is going well. i still have to pull the bezel and speedo out, and im kinda working on getting the remaining foam off the radio (its not the saphire, as much as i wish it was).
i do have another question though... when i pulled the pad off the area under the radio, to the left of the bottom knob (emergency, i believe) there was another hole in the dash, with some kinda tissue paper behind the back of it. im guessing its either from a different year, or from an option my car doesnt have... any answers? thanks everybody for the help!

Sun Nov 06, 2005 8:04 pm

brody wrote: well thats cool, i didnt know that. anybody know why the pad was mandated?

It was a general DOT rule that every car had to have a padded dash so people wouldn't split their heads open in a crash.

Sun Jun 10, 2007 11:18 am

I'm so glad to know that the metal dash still exists under the pad. I love that look, and will be removing the dash from my 71!

Sun Jun 10, 2007 11:43 am

AJ Quick wrote: I'm so glad to know that the metal dash still exists under the pad. I love that look, and will be removing the dash from my 71!

Jus so you know exaclty what is under there, here is what m 1971 Vert currently looks like:

Every day I'm just so over-joyed and delighted that the second to last owner saved me all the trouble of stripping the car bare.
And thankful to him for giving me the privilage of trying to put together the worlds largest jigsaw puzzle, fricking moron!!!!!

I will be attemepting to go for the "bare dash look" as illustrated above.... if it does not work out, or looks like poop, I'll drop a dsh pad on it.

Sun Jun 10, 2007 11:47 am

Thats not so bad. (I mean.. what needs to be done, your car needs some work!)

I know those slots the dash pad goes into need to be filled and might be some work. But as long as I've got a welder and some metal, then filler.. it won't be too bad.. same with the holes.

I've been reading, and a lot of that otherstuff goes back on just fine. Knobs stick out a bit.. vents need to be adjusted.

Sun Jun 10, 2007 11:55 am

AJ Quick wrote: Thats not so bad. (I mean.. what needs to be done, your car needs some work!)

Just the rear package shelf and a new rear apron and some dent repair to the hood.. Oh and put it all back together, but other than THAT, it's "all there" ;-) Luckily it still has the 7_slot x 4_row louvered hood, specific to the 1971 model only. it just needs some TLC.

Quote:
I know those slots the dash pad goes into need to be filled and might be some work. But as long as I've got a welder and some metal, then filler.. it won't be too bad.. same with the holes.

I've been reading, and a lot of that otherstuff goes back on just fine. Knobs stick out a bit.. vents need to be adjusted.

Good luck! Looks like we are both heading down the same path on this quest.

Here is what the back(front) side of the dash will look like. Should give you a good idea what hoes do what, and what holes will need plugging.

--
SandSquid
Semper Gumby

Sun Jun 10, 2007 12:36 pm

Well, there goes my padded dash. :D

Sun Jun 10, 2007 3:55 pm

I took mine off. Pretty simple, most of the stuff just screws or pushes back on. I didn't take off my speedo, just pulled the stuff off from around it, it's just like a single layer of vinly. The grills need to come off and something needs to go behind them so there's not just holes into the trunk, but I cut some cardstock and put it behind the screen that comes out. I also left all the holes open and haven't touched my vents. Here's some pics of mine.

PS that extra hole opposite the flasher switch was for an accessory heater knob.

Sun Jun 10, 2007 4:09 pm

nicrodel wrote:

Okay, dude that is just too frickin' scary of a coincidence!

--
queue Twilight Zone theme.....

Sun Jun 10, 2007 4:16 pm

Thanks for the help Sandsquid.

I'm glad I found this topic after searching for an hour or so. Most topics are about replacing the pad. I was looking at my 71 with a horribly cracking pad, and was hoping there was some metal underneath resembling the 60's dash that I liked to so much.

It actually looks really good without much work as nicrodel did. Thats one thing that will make the interior look great!

Sun Jun 10, 2007 4:46 pm

SandSquid wrote: nicrodel wrote:

Okay, dude that is just too frickin' scary of a coincidence!

--
queue Twilight Zone theme.....

:shock: Great minds think alike I guess :lol:

Sun Jun 10, 2007 11:05 pm

i haven't attempted this yet, but has anyone experienced any problems with any of the knobs? do they just pop right out?