17 replies to this topic

[Shaggy33]

I currently have an aftermarket dash boards in ply wood with silver, alloy look veneer. This came with the the 3 dial cluster binnacle which I've fitted with the standard 3 dial sets bought second hand off fleabay.

 

I thought about doing the centre binnacle conversion but don't think it's for me as I like the more modern flat dash panel look. What I though about doing is having a similar dash to what I have now but without the dial binnacle on right hand side and fitting the dials I choose anywhere in the dash I like.

Does any sell a dash panel like this, fitted with the clamps for easy mounting but not dial holes so you can drill your own....?

[andyapanel]

I guess you could cut your own from MDF, or send a plan to one of the firms who make them.

Can you actually see the three aux dials in the centre? I thought about angling them so they were more visible to the driver. Personally, I like all my dials directly in front of me, so I think your concept is worth pursuing. 

Good luck with the project.

[Shaggy33]

I like the idea of recreating the classic centre binnacle look (Large speedo in centre and then two smaller dials for oil pressure and voltmeter either side) but in the centre of a flat dash. Then put a nice rev counter in front of steering wheel (or mounted on the column.

[Mini Manannán]

Dash template here: http://www.cardiffmi.../ mini dash.pdf

 

The world is your lobster

[Shaggy33]

that's very helpful, cheers. Found a company called dash of colour....http://www.dashofcolour.co.uk/

[mikal]

This is the dash in my Mark 1, It was a standard wood grain dash that I've covered in leather to match the seats. The right hand side glove box lid houses the rev counter, oil pressure, temp gauge and indicator lights.

 

 MiniDash.jpg   69.31K   19 downloads

[Shaggy33]

That looks awesome mikal, just the sort of look I’m after

[Retroman]

A bit strange seeing a Mk1 with wind up windows and quarter lights....

 

I guess there are quite a few left in Aus

 

That dash does look really good.

[mikal]

Thanks for the kind remarks guys. It did turn out well. Originally the plan was to renovate the original wooden dash but it was too far gone, the veneer was peeling off. Then I stripped it back to the ply and stained it. But it just didn't look right with the leather interior, hence the leather finish. 

 

Re the wind up windows, I think we got them in 1965. (my car is '67). They are a huge improvement over the sliding windows (had both)and the 1/4 window was excellent for ashing ciggies back when I smoked. The slipstream would just suck the ash off the end!

Why BMC didn't introduce the windup windows in the UK earlier is beyond me, Ours were probably even a British design?

 

All our "round noses" were effectively Mk 1's (except for the introduction of wind up windows), the last being built in 1971 when the Clubmans appeared.

Edited by mikal, 03 March 2018 - 02:02 AM.

[Shaggy33]

Do these gauges designed for centre binnacle come with The u shape bracket that allows it to be fitted into standard dashboard hole?

https://www.minispor...eedo-90mph.html

[russo]

 

Pix of my 1970 Mini dash which I made myself.

Edited by russo, 05 March 2018 - 01:59 AM.

[Xinarin13]

Has anyone made a dash out of a solid walnut plank? Any reason not to?

[Shaggy33]

I’d like one out of solid carbon fibre

[Xinarin13]

I like the look of the wood, but the one I have is a wood veneer that has cracked and is falling off. We have a full wood shop here on base and I am tempted to pull the old dash out and essentially use it as a stencil to cut out a new one. I am trying to decide if it would be worth my time to do this myself. The cost of solid wood isn't all that much cheaper then just buying a new Dash online, but I am thinking that maybe it would be more durable, and they have some nice size pieces of it here at the shop. I would however have extra wood that I could use for cutting boards and stuff. I might be able to get access to Plywood And MDF as well, but I'm not sure if I could find some good veneer or not, and I don't know the pros and cons of each material. For instance, how would each perform in hot to cold and humid to dry weather? Would it depend on the finish? Any experienced wood workers want to give some advice please?

Edited by Xinarin13, 06 March 2018 - 12:09 AM.

[andyapanel]

Minis can leak from time to time. If it dribbled on to the wood, you could suffer staining.

 

 However, wood could be bent to your desired shape.

 

Why not see a local joiner for advice?

 

Good Luck with your project.