Original Bugeye dashboard finishing

[Jack]

Hi everyone, just a little question about Bugeye dashboard.
At the moment I examined a couple of cars and everyone has different dashboard finishing (please note that are both restored cars).
The first one (cherry red with black interior) has black dashboard with wrinkle finishing, while the second one (iris blue with blue interior) has full dashboard covered in leather or vinyl, I can tell you exactly the material.
Which is the original one?

[trevor]

The dash was covered in vinyl that matched the seats.

[Jack]

[trevor]

Looks like vinyl to me. (There was no padding under the vinyl)

[trevor]

I'd guess that is a mid '59 or '60 model.
The only car offered with black seat and white piping was the Old English White cars after AN5-9603

[Jack]

[trevor]

The blue one is a custom job.

The black one is vinyl (I'm fairly certain). If you see the car in person, it is a simple matter to feel under the dash and feel where the material ends.

[Bugzy59]

Trevor is accurate. The dash is covered with vinyl matching the seats with no padding. I have seen some modifications which include padding like the blue one. I have seen them painted or covered with wood veneer.

[Jack]

Is it possible to restore this customized dashboard? I think that it should be easy to remove blue leather and padding but... where do I find the original blue vinyl?
Also a good reproduction will be fine if it's close to original...

[Bugzy59]

Jack
Just about any modification to the dash can be reversed. In some cases when holes are cut they can be welded up just like bodywork. Any vinyl or paint can be removed with paint stripper or acetone. The vinyl is probably available through local sources or AH Spares. I used the vinyl which came with the Moss interior kit.
http://www.spritespot.com/gallery/view_ ... te&page=14

See also Gilly's photos
http://www.spritespot.com/gallery/view_ ... lio&page=6
You will need to be prepared to rewire the switches & gauges.