Re: [T3] Aftermarket Padded Dashes

["Dave Hall" <dave@hallvw.clara.co.uk>]

The original dash-tops are a bit of a tight fit, and need to bend
slightly to install or remove.  G-e-n-t-l-y does it!  If you have a
choice, it falls into place when the screen is out.  I wouldn't
assume it was specially reproduced for WCM; it could be they bought
up stock from VW's suppliers.

We had a glazing-gasket company making rubbers for all the
air-cooled windows, using EPDM.  The screen ones tended to give a
fold at the corner, and the front and back hoods were not sponge
rubber, so didn't do a perfect job.  They also did rubber wing
beading that was better than nothing.
They've stopped trading now, but if they could do it on a small
scale, I would have thought somebody somewhere would do it.

Dave.
UK VW Type 3&4 Club
www.hallvw.clara.net/
-----Original Message-----
From: Douglas_Brashear@mail.amsinc.com
<Douglas_Brashear@mail.amsinc.com>
To: type3@vwtype3.org <type3@vwtype3.org>
Date: 19 October 1998 23:09
Subject: Re: [T3] Aftermarket Padded Dashes


>I installed one from SoCal Imports in my 69 auto square...I'm not
sure if I
>ordered the wrong year, or maybe they only make the dash with the
later
>style speaker grille, but mine has the bar-style grille (instead of
the
>little holes).  Anyway, installing it in the earlier car was a bit
of a
>hassle because the dash pad seemed a bit short (from windshield to
where
>the dash pad turns down the front of the dash and meets the little
chrome
>strips).  Also, there didn't seem to be enough of a lip to use the
stock
>brackets that hold the dash down where it meets the windshield...I
think it
>may have been Jom A. who said that the later style cars use a
different
>means of holding down the front edge (hence my difficulty
installing it in
>the old style vehicle).  The gauge openings are a tad on the small
size,
>but once the gauge is in there you know its not going
anywhere...those in
>warmer climates will no doubtedly have an easier time at it (I
installed
>the thing in like 40 degree weather).  The grain of the pad is
exactly what
>you'd expect to see on an original, and the texture on my grab
handle
>matched perfectly.  This new dash pad doesn't seem to have as much
metal
>inside, but what is there works pretty well (make sure you don't
bend it
>during installation).  When all is said and done (and the dash is
in the
>car) the look is very much stock (except on my car because its
basically a
>newer style dash because of the horn grille).  In retrospect I'd
say its
>definitely worth the $70 or so it cost me...it could be better, but
it's
>much better than a cracked dash and although the install was a bit
of a
>pain (those with later model cars might have an easier time) the
finished
>product looks good and even draws compliments.  If anyone wants
more info,
>feel free to drop me a line.
>
>-Doug
>69 auto FI square (which, BTW, is FOR SALE)
>73 FI fasty
>98 NB
>douglas_brashear@mail.amsinc.com
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>To:   type3@vwtype3.org
>cc:    (bcc: Douglas Brashear/AMS/AMSINC)
>Subject:  [T3] Aftermarket Padded Dashes
>
>
>
>
>Hello all,
>   Well, I can't stand the Grand Canyon sized cracks in my padded
dash
>anymore. I'm considering purchasing one of those reproduced padded
>dashes (urathane?) I see in the vendors ad's of HVW's. Anyone
>installed and or seen one of these dashes?  How do they fit?
>
>
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