Reproduction Dash Help on the Way!

[Slavs]

I think BMW should have stuck with the 3 piece dash. And, you only need to replace the dash piece with the cracks. What's the point of going to the 2 piece or single piece dash ? There is no way I would replace a 3 piece dash with a 2 or 3 piece. The three piece would also be easier to replicate. I have a few cracked 3 piece dashes, including a lower dash pad from the 66-67. It would be the easiest piece to replicate. 

 

Edited February 10, 2020 by Slavs

[Brandon]

4 hours ago, Slavs said:

I think BMW should have stuck with the 3 piece dash. And, you only need to replace the dash piece with the cracks. What's the point of going to the 2 piece or single piece dash ? There is no way I would replace a 3 piece dash with a 2 or 3 piece. The three piece would also be easier to replicate. I have a few cracked 3 piece dashes, including a lower dash pad from the 66-67. It would be the easiest piece to replicate. 

 

I think bmw eventually went with the one piece dash because it’s quicker to install on the assembly line, saving labor costs and time.  All modern cars have one piece dashes and some dashes even include the center console as part of it, like the E46 for example.  

[PaulTWinterton]

8 hours ago, theguppies-VD said:

We make exact replica of the original dash.

 

Are you making a replica 1-piece dash, 2-piece dash or both?

 

Edit: As I look at the replica pictures again I see that it's an upper portion of a 2 piece dash.  That's good (for me).   I've always been reluctant to put a 1 piece in my car.

 

I'm curious about your approach to the framework inside the pieces. BMW dashes were built on a steel frame with connection points around the edges.  Can you describe your construction?  Part of the reason for this question is that I need to know that I would be able to add a tii clock in the correct position.

 

Thanks for pursuing this and may you sell thousands.

Edited February 10, 2020 by PaulTWinterton

[man_mark_7]

9 hours ago, theguppies-VD said:

We don't repair dashes. We make exact replica of the original dash. 

 

I should have been more clear. The dashes have been sitting there so long that I probably will never get around to repairing them myself. I'm all ears to hear / see more about your reproductions.

[theguppies-VD]

5 hours ago, PaulTWinterton said:

 

Are you making a replica 1-piece dash, 2-piece dash or both?

 

Edit: As I look at the replica pictures again I see that it's an upper portion of a 2 piece dash.  That's good (for me).   I've always been reluctant to put a 1 piece in my car.

 

I'm curious about your approach to the framework inside the pieces. BMW dashes were built on a steel frame with connection points around the edges.  Can you describe your construction?  Part of the reason for this question is that I need to know that I would be able to add a tii clock in the correct position.

 

Thanks for pursuing this and may you sell thousands.

 

 

I'm having metal inserts and plastic frame for the dash. The factory dash came with stamped metal frame which would be very expensive to replicate. 

 

 

[xr4tic]

Are they going to do the glove compartment door as well?

 

I put a cover on my dash, but the glove compartment door is way off color, and I suspect it would look awful next to new vinyl.

[AceAndrew]

Awesome....I’m in line and super fidgety!  Can’t wait.  Thank you for making this happen when BMW didn’t bother.  

 

[Slavs]

Well, it's better than nothing, But I hope they come up with a 3 piece version.

[JsnPpp]

7 hours ago, Slavs said:

Well, it's better than nothing, But I hope they come up with a 3 piece version.

 

I can't recall now what years are 2 piece dash and what years are 3 piece. Didn't drive an 02 today and can't go look.

 

Most specifically, do 1973s have 2 piece dashes? I think they do.

 

Regardless, very excited to hear of this being made! Thanks folks!

[David Layton]

I suspect that 1600's and early cars had 3 piece.  Modell 71 (Long Bumpers) had 2 piece and Modell 73 (square tail light) had one piece.  I suspect these were simplified to lower production cost.

[JsnPpp]

3 minutes ago, David Layton said:

I suspect that 1600's and early cars had 3 piece.  Modell 71 (Long Bumpers) had 2 piece and Modell 73 (square tail light) had one piece.  I suspect these were simplified to lower production cost.

 

Thank you David!

 

Jason

[Son of Marty]

3 minutes ago, David Layton said:

I suspect that 1600's and early cars had 3 piece.  Modell 71 (Long Bumpers) had 2 piece and Modell 73 (square tail light) had one piece.  I suspect these were simplified to lower production cost.

Yes and maybe improved production technique allowed making the bigger parts. 

[Conserv]

13 minutes ago, David Layton said:

I suspect that 1600's and early cars had 3 piece.  Modell 71 (Long Bumpers) had 2 piece and Modell 73 (square tail light) had one piece.  I suspect these were simplified to lower production cost.

+1

 

With an emphasis on lowering production costs!

 

And recall, that there were at least two different 3-piece dashes — not factoring in ridges on the front parcel shelf: (1.) U.S.-style with full padding; and (2.) Euro-style with chrome trim (also used on U.S. imports before November-ish 1967). This two-dash approach, with three-piece dashes, lasted up until the Modell 71, so April 1971. Sounds expensive to me!
 

Best regards,

 

Steve

 

 

 

Edited February 11, 2020 by Conserv

[Mike Self]

1 hour ago, Conserv said:

And recall, that there were at least two different 3-piece dashes — not factoring in ridges on the front parcel shelf: (1.) U.S.-style with full padding; and (2.) Euro-style with chrome trim (also used on U.S. imports before November-ish 1967). This two-dash approach, with three-piece dashes, lasted up until the Modell 71, so April 1971.

There's even a third 3 piece dash...the really early 1600s had a rigid plastic instrument binnacle (not padded) that's noticeably smaller than the padded one.  Unfortunately they warped pretty badly if exposed to much sun--probably why the factory switched to a padded binnacle.  And I believe the ridges on the little dashboard package shelf was added sometime in March or so 1969.  My Feb 69 production car doesn't have 'em but I've seen April '69 production cars that do... 

 

As Steve said, the 2 piece dashes were phased in with the modell 71 cars (257/8/9xxxx VINs) and one piece dashes are the realm of squarelights.

 

mike

[Slavs]

The instrument cluster cover on the very early three piece dash is plastic. It warps a little over a 50 year

 period, but of the three I have, only one is warped. It never cracks and is much more durable compared to the padded version, which is quite a bit thicker as well. The lower pad on the very early three piece would be easiest to replicate as it has no padding at the front. The chrome strips mount over the metal and the edge of the lower pad. When you nee to access something or when replacing a windshield or painting the car, you don't need to remove the entire dash on the three piece. You just remove the two top pieces. And, that is pretty easy. It's also easier to install. Other than cost of production, I have no idea why BMW made the one piece. I have a 70 2002, and it has the 3 piece dash.