Dashboard Rebuilding

[SteveW]

I've been making a new dashboard from plywood and rexine substitute (see picture) and I have some questions:

i) should the bases of the map lights be black or the same bronze colour as the instrument panel?

Ii) what is the best way fit the chrome beading around the edge without it kinking? It has a reasonably tight radius to go around as it rises from next to the door to the top. Is it just a case of going slowly a bit at a time? Presumably it's held in place with short screws.

Finally, and for the future

Iii) how is the trim piping around the top of the dash held in place?

Thanks in advance

Steve

[antijam]

I have assumed that the base of the map reading and 30 mph lamps (UK) had the same colour as the dash, since I've examples of both black and bronze bases in what is almost certainly original paint.
The metal trim around the dash was originally chromed brass that formed easily. Modern reproductions tend to be chrome plated steel and rather more difficult to form without kinking. As you surmise, taking it slowly and carefully will eventually get it to follow the dash profile - and yes, it is held in place with small chrome round slotted head screws.
The piping around the top of the dash is meant to be tacked or stapled to the wooden dash support panel. I found it very difficult to assess exactly how to position the trim so that with the dash fitted it protruded exactly the correct amount, so in the end I stapled it to the back of the dash instead. This allowed me to check the fit before fitting the dash and gave a pleasing result.....

...but is going to make any future dash removal problematical, since the piping continues down the door frame to the top of the latch. I'm hoping that if access to the dash rear is necessary it will effectively 'hinge down' on the joint of the piping between dash and door frame.

[frenchblatter]

Steve, the two lamps are same colour. If yours are tan I may have the tin of paint left over, I'll look later. (ed to add, I now see they are, I'll look for the paint)

You need to make sure the curvature of the windscreen mount panel is the same as the dash, mine isn't quite and if I look I can see where it has gaps, I don't look

I can't remember about the rest of the questions but can pop over some time next week with my car for you to look.

We're at the crtich tram museum on Wednesday (with TC) but will be with friends so may not be possible to get away, how about Friday, I'm in South Sheffield until about 1200 and could pop down then.

[SteveW]

Thanks for the advice Antijam. I've managed to get the chrome strip on without incident. When I started to drill it for the screws I noticed that it was actually chrome on brass so it bent quite easily.

Norman - I'm not around on Friday, but I'm getting my kit car MOT'ed on Monday, so maybe I could come to Critch on Wednesday and meet you at the gate to get your spare paint if you find it. Lou and I quite like the tram museum, so we might even make a day of it. It would be an excuse for a drive out (assuming that it passes the MOT). Alternatively, I'll be driving down the M1 from Leeds late on Sunday afternoon in the tin top so I could call in if you're around.

By the way, since I've made it from scratch, it is cut to match the profile of the top

[frenchblatter]

OK, I'll have a search in the morning. Be great if you can join us at Critch, it's the Chesterfield MG group. I'll probably be the only one in a TC. I'll email you about the paint.