OMG what have I done?? (New dashboard)

[Robbie693]

A couple of questions related to the dash on a '73 +2S 130/5 (RH drive). The dash has a securing bracket at the bottom and it has an electrical component attached with the wire connections cut. Wondering if it is a "Microswitch"? FYI all of the lights worked on this car before I started dismantling. Second question is related to the dashpad. The front edge of mine was glued to the dash making it real difficult to remove. Looks like from other dash photos on the forums here that the two pieces should be separate. How was the dash assembly fabbed at the factory?

Cheers!
Steve
Appleton, WI

Sorry to drag this thread back a bit but I thought I should mention - those angle brackets on Steve's dash are original fitment, they attach to the body via the door switches and secure the corners of the dash by bolting to the plates that can be seen at either end of the back of the dashboard...

Robbie

[JonB]

Oh right.

On my car there are brackets like that, but they don?t run the full length of the dash side. They?re about six inches long and bolt to the brackets and the courtesy light switch. There?s one on each side.

[Robbie693]

Yes that sounds about right - I think Steve's picture was misleading in that it makes them look larger than they actually are.

Presumably you had to transfer the mounting plates to your new dash?

[JonB]

Yes, I did - along with all the other hardware. It took a long time, because I was being very careful to ensure switches were centred and all the other bits and pieces. Unfortunately I wasn't careful enough; I drilled a pilot hole all the way through the veneer and varnish, and scratched up the glove box lid while filing its edges down.

[Robbie693]

Well it looks ace anyway - the detailing on the lettering is the best I have seen on a supplied dash. I imagine the small mistakes you made will fade in your memory and won't be visible to anyone else anyway. Just don't point them out trooper!

[JonB]

Actually, the lettering is not printed on the dash. It?s all stick on labels, not that you can tell unless you look really closely.

[JonB]

So I was feeling pretty pleased with myself..

Nice shiny new dash.

Until I noticed this:

Arghhh!

..and this..

Arghhh!

Dust from the dash fettling around the radio opening had got inside the voltmeter, and the wires had fallen off the back of the indicator switch. We can't even blame Lotus as they are Smiths / Lucas parts.

So, out with the voltmeter and a bit of surgery on the indicator stalk.

Better. Much better.

And some work in the famous "Lotus position" had me sorting the loom out on the right hand side of the tunnel.

All tucked away neatly.

I'm now looking at the ignition switch and how it fits with the lower padded trim - or not as is the case with mine. The column assembly has much scope for fettling, so I'll be down there with a spanner soon!

[JonB]

[MarkDa]

Very smart - worth all the effort I'd say

[SENC]

looks great!

[JonB]

Thanks!

Carpet’s a bit tired but let’s call it “patina”.