Metal Dashboard - - ?

[Bub]

I got a question....I did a search but didn't find an exact answer, so pardon if it's a repeat.
Anyone have any luck stripping the plastic off the dashboard? I've seen a few busses where it's been done and I have 2 bay windows- just wondering what sort of mess it leaves behind.
Bob O

[dembus]

I stripped this one because it was badly cracked but I still wanted to use the original dash from the 69. I saw one in a pic of a European/Comercial model and I think it looks awsome. I saw one painted black with the upper pad and sun deflector and one painted the same color as the interior metal with the black pad and black sun deflector. I will try to find the pic.

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"Want a little peace of mind, grab the lowest branch and start to climb"
JJ Grey

69 Westy (R.I.P.)
68 Kombi
70 Westy
68 Beetle Sedan
69 Beetle Sedan
68 Deluxe
71 Deluxe
71 HT Westy

[dembus]

Here is a good example from the gallery.

_________________
"Want a little peace of mind, grab the lowest branch and start to climb"
JJ Grey

69 Westy (R.I.P.)
68 Kombi
70 Westy
68 Beetle Sedan
69 Beetle Sedan
68 Deluxe
71 Deluxe
71 HT Westy

[Gary]

[jolo]

If I remember correctly, the european ones (or some of 'em) came from the factory with the metal dash.

[panasonic90]

What? your dashboards are not metallic?
_________________
"May the fweem be with you"
Obi Volks Kenobi
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74 bay ambulance
type 4 2lt carbs engine

[dembus]

Here is another one. There are factory holes in the passenger side for switches for rt hand drive models. They could easily be plugged with something. I think it is a great way to utilize an original dash and not toss it in the trash. It only takes about a half hour to strip the padding, longer to strip adhesive and sand/paint. Fun project!

_________________
"Want a little peace of mind, grab the lowest branch and start to climb"
JJ Grey

69 Westy (R.I.P.)
68 Kombi
70 Westy
68 Beetle Sedan
69 Beetle Sedan
68 Deluxe
71 Deluxe
71 HT Westy

[sxuxrxf]

There was a recent thread about this. From what I have seen, European models may have come with the steel dash with no padding. If you look close at the Bentley manual, you'll see the white westy with a steel dash.
Warning: before you decide to strip the vinyl and foam from your dash look at the backside near the corners. There are vertical slotted holes in the american dashes under the air vents. The cut out areas will need to be filled. I converted my first bus by getting a used dash from the junkyard. This allowed me to strip, fill holes and paint while still driving my bus daily. It's an easy swap (couple of hours) if you're ready ahead of time. To fill the slots you'll need to weld in new metal or use a lot of bondo!
(pic above was added while I was writing-good timing!)
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(ignore the X's )

[zabo]

open glove boxes look like the only downside
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1960 6 volt sedan- 1978 adventurewagen
–wanted bill spreen atlanta dealer tag frame

[sxuxrxf]

The glove box bolts right back on, regardless of padding. With the door on it looks just like the gauge panel.
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(ignore the X's )

[stevemariott]

You can still use the glovebox door on a stripped dash, they were not always equipped with them on the euro dashes though. Here's one I shot locally:

The early dashes don't have those vertical slots, but the later ones do. Various other holes still remain however - one in the center under the radio, a few others on the pass. side, etc.
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1963 Manx copy
1968 Bus

[panasonic90]

Now seriously, all european bays have steel dashboard. I believe that early bays came with the dashboard in the same color as the body, while late bays had a black slightly rough finish. I could be wrong here, these are just my observations.
_________________
"May the fweem be with you"
Obi Volks Kenobi
---------------------------------
74 bay ambulance
type 4 2lt carbs engine

[stevemariott]

Yep, I gather the same thing. For that matter, all the American ones have steel dashes too... underneath the wonderful vinyl and foam padding
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1963 Manx copy
1968 Bus

[steponmebbbboom]

The padding was added for North american markets to meet safety standards for lowspeed collision.

[Gary]

[steponmebbbboom]

FMVSS and CMVSS to be precise. Good for 15mph.

Thanks for stopping by.

[clyde68]

Ive been told that only 68 buses came with colour coded dash. Ive got a lhd 69 westy and am thinking of looking for a spare dash to strip and paint while still keeping my original for the future, in case i ever need to sell it. Anyone got one in the uk they want to sell?