Dash wood panels for my 81 Fiat Spider FI

[Docdawg]

Does anyone know where I can get the wood dash panels for my 81 Fiat or know a source that makes these panels?

[SeattleSpider]

Check out Allison's Automotive:

allisonsautomotive.com

In the "Interior" section he has a number of options for new dash panels in a number of different woods (or at least stains).

[SeattleSpider]

I see that Spider Point Parts in Germany has them as well . . . but . . . being Germany, they are more expensive and shipping is more. Just in case you are interested:

http://www.spider-point.com/fiat-spider ... r.html?p=5

[joelittel]

I got mine from Gary at CGWoodcraft.

http://www.cgwoodcraft.com/vintage.html

The site says British automotive interior pieces but he makes FIAT bits as well.

Very high quality product.

[PhillySpider]

Does anyone know where I can get the wood dash panels for my 81 Fiat or know a source that makes these panels?

Craigslist or Ebay always have them. Location?

[DieselSpider]

Have you considered making them yourself?

Anyone with some basic wood working tools and ability should be able to make them with hand tools such as a coping saw, bit brace and sanding block.

They are just veneered/laminated flat sheet stock with a few holes cut/drilled in them after all and nothing really all that fancy. Many would probably be able to pick up the less exotic woods locally for less than the cost of shipping.

[RRoller123]

It isn't that difficult, and there are a couple of very detailed threads here on veneering them yourself. veneersupplies.com is excellent, and you can use regular Titebond II glue (NOT III) and a simple home made plywood press. I did mine in Madrone Burl. Cost about 50 bucks total. The one trick you need to know is to Exacto close, but SAND to the edge, carefully. "Chipping is the enemy of veneer."

http://www.fiatspider.com/f15/viewtopic ... lit=veneer

The pics in the above link have been trashed by photobucket, but I will add a few new ones.

[spider2081]

Great do it yourself post RRoller
Part of owning these cars is doing the work ourselves. I did something similar to yours accept I tried self adhesive veneer. I think the sheet of walnut was about $35 and used a spar varnish on it. I did purchase the hard rubber roller recommended for install and installed it on the original dash panels. Sorry I don't have photos but it came pretty good. I am pleased with the outcome. Will have to see how it holds up in the car.

[RRoller123]

Thanks, this was one of the best projects for the car, in terms of return for the effort. It really isn't that hard, just takes a little patience.

Spar Varnish YES! Multiple coats, and after it was "dried" (as far as it will dry) I added a coating of hard "Butcher's" wax, applied with a 220 sandpaper, and it smoothed it right out.

[Yadkin]

Here's mine so far. I got the idea from another thread on this forum. I made a jig to "carve" right to left to make a concave shape centered at the steering wheel, then a second jig to carve the convex up to down. After experimenting on a piece of poplar I made the piece from American Walnut. I epoxied an aluminum sheet behind the speedo-tach area because the wood is very thin there. Then drilled the holes.

To fasten to the structure, I chose mounting points then used a Fostner bit to set the locations for nuts, and set those in with epoxy.

[joelittel]

Yadkin,

This is really nice. I know which post you’ve taken your inspiration from and have always admired this look/style of dash.

I love what you’ve done. Keep the pictures coming.

[joelittel]

I see you’ve added two usb jacks, but what is on the lower left corner, a switch?

[Yadkin]

The USB jacks are part of a generic digital voltmeter (inexpensive). The rectangular thing on the lower left is a dash light dimmer. My OEM does not work so I found one from a modern VW bug, tested it and it works.

[nelsonj]

Very, very nice Yadkin. Please post more pics when installed.

[wetminkey]

Gosh! Both dashes are just beautiful. VERY nice wood work, RRoller and Yadkin, both.
Todd.