Dash/Facia Veneer

[saarhus]

I'm trying to determine the precise species type of the veneers used as factory original dash/facia veneer in the various series of Elans. For example, I believe that the S1 and possibly the S2 Roadsters used mahogany for the dash veneer. If this is true, what species was used for the S3, the S3 Coupe' and the S4s. Thanks!

Stan

[Gordon Sauer]

My S3 DHC appears to have Hondurus mahogany. My 1972 +2S/130 appears to have
Walnut burl. Gordon Sauer

[Bill]

The veneer on the 1600 (S1) dash is oil finished teak. Readily available from wood specialists. I redid mine back when as the origional wore thru in spots from wear and cleaning.

Easy process for a hobiest woodworker.

I I think the S2 dash-which is varnished - may be Mahogany


Bill----- Original Message -----


From: Stan Aarhus
To: ***@***.***
Sent: Saturday, July 15, 2006 6:59 PM
Subject: [LotusElan.net] Dash/Facia Veneer


I'm trying to determine the precise species type of the veneers used as factory original dash/facia veneer in the various series of Elans. For example, I believe that the S1 and possibly the S2 Roadsters used mahogany for the dash veneer. If this is true, what species was used for the S3, the S3 Coupe' and the S4s. Thanks!

Stan







__________ NOD32 1.1663 (20060716) Information __________

This message was checked by NOD32 antivirus system.
http://www.eset.com

[saarhus]

Thanks Bill,

I don't have the S1 dash available at the moment, but I had assumed mahogany, but if it's teak, it should be an easy re-veneer job. Still looking for input from others with ORIGINAL dashes. What about the S4s? If we can get this nailed down, it would make a good reference on LotusElan.net. My S3 Coupe' was badly checked, delaminated and discolored. I had it surfaced before really investigating the species. I assumed it had been Mahogany and reveneered it with that. If it should turn out to be something else, it's not too late to re-do it with the original type.

Thanks again!

Stan
66 S3 Coupe'
64 S1 Roadster



The veneer on the 1600 (S1) dash is oil finished teak. Readily available from wood specialists. I redid mine back when as the origional wore thru in spots from wear and cleaning.

Easy process for a hobiest woodworker.

I I think the S2 dash-which is varnished - may be Mahogany

Bill----- Original Message -----

From: Stan Aarhus
To: ***@***.***
Sent: Saturday, July 15, 2006 6:59 PM
Subject: [LotusElan.net] Dash/Facia Veneer

I'm trying to determine the precise species type of the veneers used as factory original dash/facia veneer in the various series of Elans. For example, I believe that the S1 and possibly the S2 Roadsters used mahogany for the dash veneer. If this is true, what species was used for the S3, the S3 Coupe' and the S4s. Thanks!

Stan



__________ NOD32 1.1663 (20060716) Information __________

This message was checked by NOD32 antivirus system.
http://www.eset.com

[Bill]

Stan

I just went out to the shop to comfirm this.

On my 1600 (S1) I redid the dash about 10 years ago, The origional dash is built of approx. 3/8 in birch plywood with a teak veneer - the grain goes horizontal. As i explained before I reveneered it because after 30+ years it was worn thru and dirty. The veneer material is very thin, I purchased an 8ft long by 12" inch wide x 1/32 "thick sheet (in a role) 0f teak veneer and applied it with white glue (using woodworking technicks) over the whole dash and glove box lid, then coped out / filed out the openings / edges. Then I teak oiled as per the factory. I still have enough veneer to do it again (when I am 85 I guess).

The "ORIGIONAL" '65 S2 dash (dusty as it may be on the shelf) is still in excellant order and appears to me to be a rotary cut veneer from a Hondurouse Mahogany log. It has what seems to be a destinct burl grain in a regular pattern. It has a gloss (suspected varnish) finish - I will determin that during restro. It is my intention to clean it up, topcoat and install when I get to doing the S2.

I have no idea about S3 dashes, I am into type 26 roadsters only.

I hope I am of some help. If you need photos let me know.

There are absolutely no sticks or ice on my dashes.

P.S. just got back from a lovely "Brits on the beach" show in Ladysmith - Vancouver Island. 200 cars.

Bill


----- Original Message -----
From: Stan Aarhus
To: ***@***.***
Sent: Sunday, July 16, 2006 11:10 AM
Subject: Re: [LotusElan.net] Dash/Facia Veneer


Thanks Bill,

I don't have the S1 dash available at the moment, but I had assumed mahogany, but if it's teak, it should be an easy re-veneer job. Still looking for input from others with ORIGINAL dashes. What about the S4s? If we can get this nailed down, it would make a good reference on LotusElan.net. My S3 Coupe' was badly checked, delaminated and discolored. I had it surfaced before really investigating the species. I assumed it had been Mahogany and reveneered it with that. If it should turn out to be something else, it's not too late to re-do it with the original type.

Thanks again!

Stan
66 S3 Coupe'
64 S1 Roadster

The veneer on the 1600 (S1) dash is oil finished teak. Readily available from wood specialists. I redid mine back when as the origional wore thru in spots from wear and cleaning.

Easy process for a hobiest woodworker.

I I think the S2 dash-which is varnished - may be Mahogany

Bill----- Original Message -----

From: Stan Aarhus
To: ***@***.***
Sent: Saturday, July 15, 2006 6:59 PM
Subject: [LotusElan.net] Dash/Facia Veneer

I'm trying to determine the precise species type of the veneers used as factory original dash/facia veneer in the various series of Elans. For example, I believe that the S1 and possibly the S2 Roadsters used mahogany for the dash veneer. If this is true, what species was used for the S3, the S3 Coupe' and the S4s. Thanks!

Stan



__________ NOD32 1.1663 (20060716) Information __________

This message was checked by NOD32 antivirus system.
http://www.eset.com









__________ NOD32 1.1663 (20060716) Information __________

This message was checked by NOD32 antivirus system.
http://www.eset.com

[poiuyt]

I think it was walnut, but I replaced my dash with African Rosewood
from Prestige Autowood.

Steve B
1969 S4


--- In ***@***.***, "Stan Aarhus" <saarhus@...> wrote:

Elans. For example, I believe that the S1 and possibly the S2
Roadsters used mahogany for the dash veneer. If this is true, what
species was used for the S3, the S3 Coupe' and the S4s. Thanks!

[bill308]

I took a rather radical approach to refinishing my dash. Having lived
with the car for many years, it was subject to a lot of wear and
tear. If it wasn't the hot sun beating down it, it was occasional
rain, hot and cold temperature extemes, and high and low humidity.

Given this experience, I decided to go to a local cabinet maker and
had him surface the backing and apply a very nice burl pattern
formica facia using water proof contact cement. It looks great and
should last for a very long time. Not for the purest, but very nice
to my eye, reasonably priced, and durable.

Bill


--- In ***@***.***, "Steve B" <mygti@...> wrote: