Dashboard repaint

[oebb]

Hi all!
Recently got an 82 with all my interior plastic (dashboard, door panel, console) in dark brown color.
Got the usual cracks in the dashboard so I'm thinking of buying a replace (or "half"- restore dashboard cap). Only problem is that they only come in black or tan. So I'm thinking of repainting a black one to brown. Anybody done this or have recommendation on what paint to use? If there's a color code for the brown interior I would be more than happy to lay my hands on it.

Cheers

/Mikael, Sweden

[ga.spyder]

Hello ,Mikael My 82 Spider has a interior that the previous owner had 'modified' into a 2 tone black w/camel(tan) scheme.It looks good ,and I get a lot of comments on it.I have dyed the boot and other pieces w/ SEM brand aerosol interior dyes.The Eastwood Co. has this and any other rerstoration supply you might need.Their online catalog ia http://www.eastwoodco.com The product works great and covers well.
Good Luck ,Craig

[mdrburchette]

You can also take your dash to your local auto paint supplier and they can color mix the SEM vinyl dye for you. The only problem is you'll have to use a spray gun to apply it.

[So Cal Mark]

is your 82 an anniversary edition? If so, you might want to keep the brown, it's pretty rare

[oebb]

Thanks for all hints. Great! I'll what the local paintshop will come up with. Don't have much airbrush experience - but looking forward to the challenge.
My -82 is imported from the US (as most European spiders are). Don't know if it's an anniversary edition, is there something that identifies an anniversary edition 2000? I'm going to keep the brown in any case.

Best regards from a green winter Stockholm

/Mikael

[rlux4]

I believe the anniversary edition was in '81. They were limited edition with unique options. Special color (gold), leather seats, padded console, and special color dash and interior door trim. They were labeled "Anniversary Edition, LE (limited edition) They were also numbered, I think they made 1000 of them. Darsella in Washington state has a nice one, do a search on her posts and you'll find pics of it.
However, in my opinion, the '82 is by far the best year Spider to own. (see signature line)

[oebb]

Hi again and thans for all answers!
I'm beginning to think my spider actually might be (or have been) an anniversary edition. Many of the details you describe fit in. In my car:
Dashboard, upper door panel, sun shields and foot compartment side panels are all in brown.
My console is tan colored and padded.
I'm not sure if my seats are leather (don't think so) but they are yellowish.
The car has been repainted red from original tan (or champagne?).
Lot's of similarities with Darsellas car, but don't have the rims or the rear anniversary badge.

Of course the interior could have been taken from another car... Is there any way to tell if it's an anniversary from the VIN? Where is the "LE number" placed?

If it's an anniversary I might consider a restoration moving in the origin direction.

Best regards

/Mikael - from a Stockholm with currently 2 decimeter snow

[ga.spyder]

For those of us not on the metric system is 2 decimeters ankle high ,knee high ,or chest high? LOL!!
Craig

[spider2081]

The LE # badges are located below the emblems on both rear quarter panel. The number digits are engraved in a small rectangular badge approx 1" x4". There is also a # badge on the dash. Some LE cars have it near the warning lights in the center and some have it on the glove box door. The was also a pewter key bob that had the LE # . I understand that the key bobs are quite rare

[Danno]

decimeter = 1/10 of a meter or 10cm. so 2 decimeters would be 20cm. 25.4cm would be about 10inches.

exact measurement using my calculator is 7.87 inches.