crack free W116 dash for sale

[CraigB]

I'm not sure if this is the best place to chase this but i tried the W116.org forum and it has nowhere near the activity it had back when i had my W116. Its a reminder of the longevity of this forum and its activity.

I'm doing a bit of rationalising and thought i would see if any interest in a crack free black W116 dash. I bought this planning to fit to my car, but it is one of those big jobs so i cleaned it, coated in vaseline, wrapped in layers of gladwrap and stuck it in the shed roof until i had time. I guess after i sold my car i figured that one day maybe i would pick up a 6.9 and that would justify the probably silly price i paid for it. At the time my reasoning was, where will i find another and also based on the money to get one reskinned, but I don't think any of the dash palces have the original pattern of vinyl material anymore to reskin, so while they can produce a tidy job, for someone pedantic like me it never looks quite right - like the one in my W108.

The only thing not perfect, and have tried to capture it in photo is a slight 'blister' where the vinyl has come away from the backing stuff. I imagine a syringe with needle and thin glue you could pierce it and hold it to fix. Maybe just a heat gun would do it. But I think it is hard to spot as is so i won't touch it - wouldn't bother me if in a car.

Has perfect Zebrano wood facia and all the vents, speaker trims etc. My thinking is that I think the cheapest place to reskin is Dash Doctor and in modern vinyl that will cost you $750 I think it was when i checked recently. If you have a 6.9 the Zebrano trim is not much use but imagine you could sell that on for a good price or maybe you need that too. I am happy to pack carefully in bubble wrap and make a box for free but you will have to pay for freight (from Hawthorndene SA 5051 (Adelaide Hills Australia) or you might be able to twist my arm for a depot drop off if it make a big difference - EGO is worth checking out for online quote - 8.5kg (say 10 to be safe with packing) and roughly 150 x 40 x 40 allowing plenty of packing.

So I would love to hear from interested buyers or people who want to just offer opinions on value. If its worth nothing then it can go back in the roof with my rocking horse faeces but hopefully it is just what someone is looking for. Happy to separate wood too but obviously easier for me to just move it on complete.

Also any advice on where all the W116 activity is - I hope someone is looking after these great cars.

DSCN1904.JPG

DSCN1905.JPG

DSCN1906.JPG

DSCN1907.JPG

[mrkozzy]

pm sent

[AMG]

I'm curious to know whether or not it would fit in as a replacement dash in a Range Rover Classic.... Been having a lot of thoughts about dash modifications lately. I like the w116 air vents too,

Actually I'm going to have to go take some more serious measurements now... curiosity has the better of me.

[CraigB]

That's very creative Joe - more curves!

Thanks for the interest shown and i did get quite a bit of international interest too. Chatting to a couple of people though the reality set in as to how old this dash is and that it could crack just in the installation process. So my plan is to hold off for a little bit and check out Adelaide interest and I can give a potential purchaser a hand and we can very carefully put it in together. If it cracks it cracks but at least i will know it has gone in best it can and money can change hands for less than it would cost to have someone fit it - sort of donating my time but then i like 'hanging out working on cars'. Have one local guy in mind. If all else fails you can spin the dice and i will sell it very cheaply.

[markb]

Went to visit The Dashboard Doctor Craig a few months back, after some of your posts on the W108. Turns out my 'Sydney car' dash appears to have been reskinned, as it has lifted, not cracked...unfortunately dash needs to come out, so dash mat will continue to hide it in the meantime (it passed the concours judges, just the once)

[CraigB]

Have you ever seen one of those dash caps in the flesh? Adsitco on ebay have them for a range of cars. Out of interest I asked if they could do RHD. They are going to ask supplier, but asked me how many. Interesting in particular if you don't have to remove the dash given the comments made by others about how hard it is to change dashes.

[leyphip]

I have a dash avaliable...again though it does have a blister. Price is .negotiable and can post pics if any interest.
Its the blue colour as car i terior is navy.

[CraigB]

Where are you located? You can see responses here and a guy from WA contacted me via another forum and can pass on info to you.

[TheMadRacoon]

I'm curious to know whether or not it would fit in as a replacement dash in a Range Rover Classic.... Been having a lot of thoughts about dash modifications lately. I like the w116 air vents too,

Actually I'm going to have to go take some more serious measurements now... curiosity has the better of me.

That wouldn't look out of place at all. Maybe a centre console (ie transmission console) from a Series 1 update Discovery would mate well with it, though I don't recall seeing a black one.

Many years ago OS I saw an open top Jeep - maybe a CJ5, not the later Wrangler - with a W123 dash in it. Weird but nice.

[leyphip]

Where are you located? You can see responses here and a guy from WA contacted me via another forum and can pass on info to you.

Wollongong/Nowra way...2 hrs South of Sydney.

[CraigB]

Mrkozzy is in Victoria, not sure what colour he prefers but i think it was him that told me the blue ones usually crack more, so could be just what he is looking for.

[ngruzevs]

Anyone know where I can find a crack free W116 dashboard?

[mrkozzy]

I think the days of finding a crack free one are long gone.
I'd be looking at repairing what you have.

I've seen one or two after a quality repair job and the end result was impressive.

[CraigB]

I'm really interested about any places that can do a good job and have older vinyl patterns. I don't mind if its not 'correct' as long as it has some sort of grain like the original had. I took a W108 dash all the way to Melbourne and the Dash Doctor and with a disappointed tone the guy said 'I'm sorry mate I just can't get the right material for those". After taking it all that way I still had them cover it with what they had - really good job, but it just doesn't look the same. I guess if i was modifying the car in general and the interior it wouldn't matter as much but its something that's always there in your face. Each to their own but I just wonder if there is a stash of the grained vinyl sitting around somewhere.

[Michel]

Any decent self-respecting upholsterer should be able to cover the dash.
They might not be keen on removing it out of the car, but once it's out of the vehicle, then it's a relatively easy job for them.

[ngruzevs]

Thanks guys, it's taken me a while, but think I've found one.

[CraigB]

The main point I was making is getting the material that's got a grain in it like the original dashes of the period. Places like dash doctor reform the shape when it has deep cracks and then i think they use vacuum or something to reform to look just as they were. Yes you could get an upholsterer to cover it, seen them done in leather, but it just doesn't look anything like the original. If you like the look of it that's cool - I was just referring to getting a car as close to original as you can and i'm pretty sure only these specialist dash places can do that. Even if i could just source the material and take it to dash doctor that would be great.