Veneer on dash panels on my '81

[spiderdan]

That's going to look great Richard.
I should try to do the same to mine.
A few years ago at the Italian car parade I was told by an Italian car expert (aren't we all) that a dash with a split and a wood dash with cracks proves it's a "Survivor 68 Spider"...
That's my line and I'm sticking to it!

[rjkoop]

That's going to look great Richard.
I should try to do the same to mine.
A few years ago at the Italian car parade I was told by an Italian car expert (aren't we all) that a dash with a split and a wood dash with cracks proves it's a "Survivor 68 Spider"...
That's my line and I'm sticking to it!

So that's how you identify a '68. Good to know...

If you end up interested in doing it I bought a 2'x8' rolled up section of veneer from Lee Valley and I think I only used about 2' of it. Your welcome to whatever you need. No point in having it sit in my basement unused!

Richard

[spiderdan]

Your welcome to whatever you need.

Tx Richard, I just might take you up on that offer. I would be willing to pay for it or trade for beers.
I'm just not sure what I have to work with. On the 68 it seems to be a pine type of plywood (not much grain) with a coat of clear on it. On mine, it is the clear that has cracked and not the wood itself. I was going to sand/strip it and see if I could just refinish it. I have had good results using Minwax furniture refinisher in the past and was going to try that before I go the route of veneer.

Going up to the cottage today to see if I can make it to the the Fiat garage and check things out. I think I'm still snowed in up there.
Waiting for spring.

Looking forward to seeing the finished/installed dash.
Keep up the good work and tx for posting.

[rjkoop]

A few more pics...

Before...



After...



Glove box (still have to put emblem back on and lock)...



Lower center console...

[rjkoop]

What should I use to reattach plate onto front of glove box?



It was attached with black sticky stuff. I was thinking contact cement or epoxy.

And I covered the back side of the glove box with veneer and didn't mark the old screw holes.

What's the best way to locate them again? Should I just put some chalk/something on the glove brackets and try to place the glove box in place and look where the mark is on the back of the glove box cover? Or is there a good trick to ensure the door will align?

And has anyone tried to brighten up the plastic light holders on the dash?



Maybe wet sand to clean them up?

Richard

[profcucchi]

That is great looking work.

I'm still afraid to pull the panels out...

[rjkoop]

That is great looking work.

I'm still afraid to pull the panels out...

not bad at all. and i love the results so it's worth it. veneer is actually really easy to work with.

[rjkoop]

And if anyone has a description or good pics of how the glove box knob/lock mechanism works it would be much appreciated. Had to take time out to veneer it and not quite sure how to get it to work correctly. I assume I should have the inside clamp point upwards and the outside lock facing straight down but when I insert the spring it doesn't seem to work correctly. Some close pictures might help if anyone has some.

[rjkoop]

Installed...



Still have to install latch inside glove box...



And fix 'Gansta Lean' on radio...



.. but overall I love the look.

Richard

[fiat218]

I like the darker too, i am going with walnut also in the 70, and maybe cherry in the 69

[RRoller123]

Nice! Goes really well with the light seat color.