Console and Dash Cap

[spidernut]

When I bought my 80 Spider a few weeks back, the prior owner gave me a new console cap to go along with the car. So, I tried dry fitting it yesterday and had to hack away a ton of old vinyl to get it to seat correctly. Today, I glued it all together. All in all it looks pretty good. The only areas that I really don't like are the fit around the heater control levers and the coin cup. The openings are a bit too small and the parts don't fit quite right. Still, it looks much better that the trashed console.

When I bought my 79, I bought a full replacement console. I like the full replacement better than the cap by a long shot! The cap is a much less expensive way to go, but just doesn't look as good. If you're looking at the two options, my recommendation is the full console.

I have a full face dash cap coming in the mail from Auto Ricambi. It can't look any worse than my dash does now, but I hope it fits better than the console cap which I think was purchased from Bayless.

I'll post pictures when I get it all put together.

[baltobernie]

Those caps can really spruce up an interior fast. Your dash has probably seen Armor All or similar products during its lifetime. Before installing the new cap, thoroughly clean the dash and the underside of the cap with Paint Prep, alcohol, or another cleaner to remove any silicone on the dash and mold release on the cap. Scuff both with 60-grit sandpaper, particularly around the edges and openings. A curved pick will help the cap fit under the windshield molding. Your cap will make your car look new!

[manoa matt]

The best way to install the console cap and dash cap are to take the console and dash out of the car, then install the caps on them, and re-install back in the car.

[DUCeditor]

I installed caps on my dash and console over twenty years ago and could not be more pleased. They looked really good then, they look really good now. Not restoration perfect, but all but.

Any expert here on the Spider Forum would recognize the caps for what they are, but no one else has - not even when I have exhibited the car at Italian Car Day shows at Boston's MOT. (Where over the years it received two First Place, one Third Place and a People's Choice trophy.)



Installation was, as I remember, fairly quick and easy. For the dash this involved removing the dash-top vents, cleaning the surface, applying the provided silicon seal type cement, and pressing the units into place.

For the console pieces a bit more was required - especially the removal of the wood trim and, in my car's case, the separation of the `80s vintage Chapman hood lock/ignition disconnect unit (seen to the lower right of the steering wheel hub).

The one obvious flaw (which still annoys my wife) is that on the left hand side the cover sits a bit above the windscreen molding. Thus because the car had baked in the Florida sun warping the original dash.

Still, for a quick and inexpensive fix I was and am well pleased. And twenty+ years on it looks as good as the day it was installed.

-don

[fiat218]

u cut the door panel for a speaker?

[DUCeditor]

u cut the door panel for a speaker?

No. The previous owner did. And put a crappy Honda radio in the dash.

I replaced the speakers (had to to fill in the holes!) with low profile ones. The radio will be replaced shortly with a more period correct model. The other one has had its day. Its been there for the 23 years I've owned the car.

But in either case it is never used. The exhaust system is all the music I need.

I might add that if I'd wanted a radio I might have done so. My Spider is an important part of my life -- I really love it! -- but it is not a religious relic. I'd do whatever would make the car over time more of a pleasure to me. A radio just ain't it.

-d

[fiat218]

i need a radio, just not sure how to mount things, but then again u really dont hear in on the rd

[DUCeditor]

i need a radio, just not sure how to mount things, but then again u really dont hear in on the rd

The original -- at least when mine was made -- was a mono radio (the old push button variety) with the speaker behind the central grill on the upper console. I have a friend who thinks he has a stereo version of that type for me to install instead of the crappy digital readout Honda model that has been sitting virtually unused in the upper console since I got the car.

If it wasn't already there I'd not put it there. But the holes need to be kept filled so at least I'll try to make it work with a vintage correct appearance.

If you DO want a radio the lower door, the rear side panel, or both is likely the best answer. Or replace the rear "seat" with a parcel rack and build speakers into that.

-don

[fiat218]

thanks, i got rear speaker in my alfa,

[spidernut]

I have one of the original Fiat radios (stereo). The speakers were installed in the kick panels above the map pockets. It actually didn't sound bad with the modern speakers I installed. You could hear it with the top down on the freeway. I had to make a face plate out of wood to match the dash since the original plastic one was lost long ago by the prior owner. It gave it a good vintage look.

I later installed a DIN mount modern unit with CD, MP3, AM/FM, etc. The DIN mount fits with no modification of the upper console.

[katsi]

Speaking of speakers - someone here a couple of years back posted the dimentions to a speaker box and shelf for the back seat. It's really easy and it makes a great sound. Even when driving down the road. The rear speakers kinda blast but are in harmony with the fronts and sounds pretty good.

I hope this works: But if you just do a search on SHELF in this forum and look for my post you can see pics of what I'm talking about.

http://www.fiatspider.com/f08/viewtopic ... elf#p75160

[spidernut]

Got the cap via FexEx today (very fast delivery). Autoricambi sent one that was a perfect fit and looks great when dry-fit to the dash. I fixed some warping in the dash (thanks for the tip) and will finish fitting my cup holder in the dash tomorrow. I'm really looking forward to getting the dash back together!!!