Dashboard for +2s130/5 from Classical Dash, Stokenchurch
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I have read some negative stuff about Classical Dash and thought I should recount my own good experience.
I collected my dash from Ian Bond at his new premises in Stokenchurch last week. I am delighted with it. The veneer colour, accuracy of cut-outs, lacquer finish, and lettering are all excellent. I took the old dash + instruments + switches to check. Having seen the number of operations and amount of work that goes in I think Ian's prices are reasonable too.
It has all taken a year, with delays on 2 counts. First, the upheaval of relocation to Stokenchurch, and second, my request for a different letter style. I wanted Microgramma Bold Extended 12 point to match my original dash.
Ian put in the extra effort to get this for me and I am very pleased with the result.
Communication: it is a small, very busy, company with everybody, including Ian Bond, out on the shop floor. I made a point of ringing at 9am and usually got through OK.
Conclusion: Great quality, reasonable price, just order EARLY, and expect a long lead time.
Footnote re lettering: The letters are now stylus cut white vinyl (replacing Letraset type) and go under the 5 layers of lacquer. Microgramma Bold Extended is different from Universal and Helvetica Bold Extended in that the "O"s are rounded oblongs - overall it does give a different look. I don't know if Microgramma was used on all +2s or just the final JPS batch which included my car.
I collected my dash from Ian Bond at his new premises in Stokenchurch last week. I am delighted with it. The veneer colour, accuracy of cut-outs, lacquer finish, and lettering are all excellent. I took the old dash + instruments + switches to check. Having seen the number of operations and amount of work that goes in I think Ian's prices are reasonable too.
It has all taken a year, with delays on 2 counts. First, the upheaval of relocation to Stokenchurch, and second, my request for a different letter style. I wanted Microgramma Bold Extended 12 point to match my original dash.
Ian put in the extra effort to get this for me and I am very pleased with the result.
Communication: it is a small, very busy, company with everybody, including Ian Bond, out on the shop floor. I made a point of ringing at 9am and usually got through OK.
Conclusion: Great quality, reasonable price, just order EARLY, and expect a long lead time.
Footnote re lettering: The letters are now stylus cut white vinyl (replacing Letraset type) and go under the 5 layers of lacquer. Microgramma Bold Extended is different from Universal and Helvetica Bold Extended in that the "O"s are rounded oblongs - overall it does give a different look. I don't know if Microgramma was used on all +2s or just the final JPS batch which included my car.
- dick+2130/5
- First Gear
- Posts: 30
- Joined: 28 Jul 2011
Funny I should see this post today, having spent all day prepping my Classical Dash ready for installation. All is well with mine bar a few points.
There are no inserts in the main dash fixing points, which means nervously installing them from the old dash as they aren't a regularly available item. Second point is that in my dash (early +2 non 'S') there is an additional to OEM warning lamp position drilled beneath the Handbrake lamp. A little annoying as I now need to find something to fill these holes.
Only other thing to mention is that I've had to fettle a few of the apertures to fit Eye-ball vents.
Quality is great and the finish looks to be very durable.
There are no inserts in the main dash fixing points, which means nervously installing them from the old dash as they aren't a regularly available item. Second point is that in my dash (early +2 non 'S') there is an additional to OEM warning lamp position drilled beneath the Handbrake lamp. A little annoying as I now need to find something to fill these holes.
Only other thing to mention is that I've had to fettle a few of the apertures to fit Eye-ball vents.
Quality is great and the finish looks to be very durable.
1970 Elan +2
Factory Federal RHD
B42 Midnight Blue (Esprit S4)
Factory Federal RHD
B42 Midnight Blue (Esprit S4)
- AdrianSi
- Second Gear
- Posts: 61
- Joined: 20 Nov 2015
I'm sure you've already determined this, but I would ease open those mounting holes enough so that the metal inserts slip in snuggly with a firm push of the finger but not more than that. Would scare me spitless to apply more pressure than that and risk a finish crack.
Just saying . . . YMMV . . .
Randy
Just saying . . . YMMV . . .
Randy
-
Sea Ranch - Coveted Fifth Gear
- Posts: 1141
- Joined: 07 Mar 2011
Well by trade I'm an engineer, so I made a tool, ground a chamfer on the lacquered side of the dashboard, a small chamfer on the inserts, and then carefully pulled them in
To be honest, I would be more worried about trying to open up a hole of that diameter due to the tendancy to snatch. Not sure how well a ream would work with the material. Circular pocketing them out would be the best option, however I don't have a CNC machine in my garage
Just had to man up to the task in the end!
To be honest, I would be more worried about trying to open up a hole of that diameter due to the tendancy to snatch. Not sure how well a ream would work with the material. Circular pocketing them out would be the best option, however I don't have a CNC machine in my garage
Just had to man up to the task in the end!
1970 Elan +2
Factory Federal RHD
B42 Midnight Blue (Esprit S4)
Factory Federal RHD
B42 Midnight Blue (Esprit S4)
- AdrianSi
- Second Gear
- Posts: 61
- Joined: 20 Nov 2015
Excellent. Glad it worked out for you.
Agreed, no drill. Way to risky. Being a simple man, I would have simply grabbed a suitable round file . . .
I've stripped the finish off mine, and finally got the curling bits of veneer glued back down, but honestly I don't know how long the glue will hold. The upper layer of ply is thick enough that the curl is quite stiff and resists staying in place. Guess time will tell . . .
Interestingly, the actual walnut burl veneer is paper thin. No way to sand it flat at all!
Regards,
Randy
Agreed, no drill. Way to risky. Being a simple man, I would have simply grabbed a suitable round file . . .
I've stripped the finish off mine, and finally got the curling bits of veneer glued back down, but honestly I don't know how long the glue will hold. The upper layer of ply is thick enough that the curl is quite stiff and resists staying in place. Guess time will tell . . .
Interestingly, the actual walnut burl veneer is paper thin. No way to sand it flat at all!
Regards,
Randy
-
Sea Ranch - Coveted Fifth Gear
- Posts: 1141
- Joined: 07 Mar 2011
My non-S has the Microgramma Bold Extended- or did, before I removed all the tatty old original veneer. Some may recall my posts about being dissatisfied with the stick-on labels from Dent, but I've been too busy with other things to make any further progress on finding something better.
1970 Elan Plus 2 (not S) 50/2036
2012 BMW R1200GS
"It just wouldn't be a complete day if I didn't forget something!" -Me
2012 BMW R1200GS
"It just wouldn't be a complete day if I didn't forget something!" -Me
-
The Veg - Coveted Fifth Gear
- Posts: 2329
- Joined: 16 Nov 2015
The Veg wrote:My non-S has the Microgramma Bold Extended- or did, before I removed all the tatty old original veneer. Some may recall my posts about being dissatisfied with the stick-on labels from Dent, but I've been too busy with other things to make any further progress on finding something better.
A bit late in the day to reply ! My car 1973 +2S 13//5 had Microgramma Bold Extended lettering. I got my new dash from Classical Dash relettered in that font. I took time to get them but apparently not difficult to programme the plastic sheet cutter to alternative font. The lettering is under the lacquer as originally.
Cheers,
Dick
- dick+2130/5
- First Gear
- Posts: 30
- Joined: 28 Jul 2011
Mine was not originally under the lacquer, as I could scrape it off with my fingernail.
Since then I have re-veneered the dashboard and had some dry-transfer labels made which are now under some polyurethane.
Since then I have re-veneered the dashboard and had some dry-transfer labels made which are now under some polyurethane.
1970 Elan Plus 2 (not S) 50/2036
2012 BMW R1200GS
"It just wouldn't be a complete day if I didn't forget something!" -Me
2012 BMW R1200GS
"It just wouldn't be a complete day if I didn't forget something!" -Me
-
The Veg - Coveted Fifth Gear
- Posts: 2329
- Joined: 16 Nov 2015
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