12 replies to this topic

[mattyb]

1984 Mini  - this was a stalled resto I bought and nearly (ish) finished ! PO has fitted a flat vinyl dash with 3 gauge clocks - the bezel cowls when fitted over the gauges mean you can't see the top part of the dials ?! is this "normal" ?? what's the visibility like on 3 gauge instruments in the POD ? !

 

Any thoughts ?!  few pics attached 

 

FYI PO and stalled resto - few "interesting" features (brake callipers fitted up side down so not able to bleed - 2 brake compensators fitted (one the front and another at the rear !) 

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[stuart bowes]

I stripped mine immediately but I'm fairly sure the cluster was angled upwards a certain degree which would eliminate that issue

 

you'd have to peel back the vinyl at least around that area, cut a rectangle around the dials, and glue in an angled surround to correct it I guess

 

I bought a mini about 15 years ago which I planned to finish, but that got sold off again various reasons.. that was similar in its eyebrow raising, he'd painted the discs for one thing..  and was fitting these massive heavy electric seats from a ford granada.. paint scheme was kind of trying to be a bini.  so many lols

Edited by stuart bowes, 27 May 2023 - 02:09 PM.

[mab01uk]

If you look at similar style 'flat' dashboards on the market, notice they do away with the 3-off hooded plastic bezel cowls and replace them with a raised flat panel to prevent the cowls causing a visiblity problem.

 

Burr Walnut 3 Clock - RHD Dash:-

https://www.minispor...k-rhd-dash.html

 

Edited by mab01uk, 27 May 2023 - 02:16 PM.

[Midas Mk1]

Afternmarket dash manufactured for ease of manufacture over actual function, it’s ahh mpi dashes pointed up to be more in the line of sight.

Edited by Midas Mk1, 27 May 2023 - 03:26 PM.

[Lucas1988]

1984 Mini  - this was a stalled resto I bought and nearly (ish) finished ! PO has fitted a flat vinyl dash with 3 gauge clocks - the bezel cowls when fitted over the gauges mean you can't see the top part of the dials ?! is this "normal" ?? what's the visibility like on 3 gauge instruments in the POD ? !

 

Any thoughts ?!  few pics attached 

 

FYI PO and stalled resto - few "interesting" features (brake callipers fitted up side down so not able to bleed - 2 brake compensators fitted (one the front and another at the rear !) 

that looks like the previous owner made that dash themselves and didn't know how to get round the surrounds so left them fitted instead of removing them. looks like you need to remove the dash and take off the surround and refit. you may need to find a solution to make sure that the dials are tight against the dash so that they don't move

[mattyb]

Many thanks for the replies - does look as though I'll have to remove and modify the dash - the dash has an additional set of instruments fitted which have the same style cowls as the speedo rev counter etc, so I think I'll preserver with the dash, though I have to agree the flat aftermarket dash would get round the visibility problem - its needs recovering anyway as the PO cut the holes in the vinyl badly !

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[mattyb]

Hi Stuart Bowes - think I bought my MIni in 2008 ? been pottering with it ever since - need to get it finished as I'm losing storage on another car. so Mini needs to go - 

 

its really starting to take shape now though, has a superb body, excellent sub frames, mint MPI Cooper interior, stage 1 etc, etc 

 

Yep electrics on this one have been challenging ! looks like it had a brand new loom (it had a massive amount of brand new parts on it, which is why I've persevered ) No Granada seats though ! your PO could have tried a pair of Parker Knoll recliners  ! 

 

Despite the brand new loom PO did this - had a job tracing the problems on rear lights - shouldn't criticise the PO too much - we all have to learn  

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[stuart bowes]

that's true I've done plenty of stupid stuff myself ! haha

 

what made me laugh though (not to his face obviously) he was a nice guy and all but lets just say rather on the heavyset side which is fine but then adding these huge seats in as well, I kinda wanted to ask him to demonstrate actually getting in the thing! and would it even move under the power of a little 998 

 

still as you say we're all learning 

Edited by stuart bowes, 30 May 2023 - 12:10 PM.

[Quinlan minor]

what made me laugh though (not to his face obviously) he was a nice guy and all but lets just say rather on the heavyset side

Maybe he's got used to not being able to see things.

[humph]

On the clocks front I have just removed my aftermarket dash and gone back to the standard 3 clock binnacle. one of many reasons for this was that at 6ft tall I couldn’t see any speeds above 40mph. With the original binnacle I can now see the entire face, a massive change for the better. Downside is that the dash/shelf trims needed to tidy it all up without the dash in are a pricey for what they are.

[roberts]

On the clocks front I have just removed my aftermarket dash and gone back to the standard 3 clock binnacle. one of many reasons for this was that at 6ft tall I couldn’t see any speeds above 40mph. With the original binnacle I can now see the entire face, a massive change for the better. Downside is that the dash/shelf trims needed to tidy it all up without the dash in are a pricey for what they are.

 

 

A cheaper alternative to the OEM kit for you: LINK

 

 

Kind regards,
Andy @ Optimise Automotive

[mattyb]

Many thanks again for all the replies - the Optimise Automotive kit would have been PLAN B but I've recovered the dash and I'm happy with the results - I may fit the shallow non - peaked type bezels round the holes I mow have a question about my alloy rocker cover ! will post a new question

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[Chris1275gt]

That looks tidy, personally I would go with the flat bezels which to me frame the instrument.