Wood Dash availability?

[hartmandm]

That was Joe Parlanti's article published in the Rootes Review. Probably was "fact checked" by TE/AE at the time.

 

[Aladin Sane]

I got mine from CG Autowood before they closed up shop. I dont know if the font and or text are correct, or how long the finish will last, but it looks good.

 

[ForzaDesign]

I got mine from CG Autowood before they closed up shop. I dont know if the font and or text are correct, or how long the finish will last, but it looks good.View attachment 33620View attachment 33619

It does look great.
Type of wood would be subjective. for production purposes, its important to have a consensus on what would be preferred.
There is some discussion on providing 2 species at first. this certainly depends on interest.

 

[Warren]

It does look great.
Type of wood would be subjective. for production purposes, its important to have a consensus on what would be preferred.
There is some discussion on providing 2 species at first. this certainly depends on interest.

I've seen guys make repop parts and fail miserably because they weren't exactly as stock. How do I know? I talked to the producer's and was in on the Tiger air cleaner housing. I've also seen better than new Tiger side badges and cheaper ones made. That said there's a market for a faithful stock reproduction and personalized. I would start with as close to stock as possible then branch out. My partnership did supply Sunbeam Specialties and their brand recognition was better than using eBay and other forum and Newsletter , Tiger Tales or Tiger Tracks.

 

[ForzaDesign]

Thanks Warren
SS seems to be aligned with that thought process.
As I've tried to express, its my belief that the original species was Elm.
But some (SS included) believe Walnut was original. This may be due to thats what was reproduced in the past.
The veneer is sooo expensive that its prohibitive to stock a selection of species.

 

[Asm109]

Sounds like an opportunity for some research at the Rootes archive. turn up the original dash print and the material should be specified.

 

[hartmandm]

See TE/AE Alpine judging guide, page 46 https://www.teae.org/cars/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Interior-r1.pdf



Mike

 

[DanR]

Mike, that looks a lot like my Early SIV GT panel. By the way I still have the brackets(tabs) available for the wooden panels that hold the "Controls" in place.

 

[ForzaDesign]

If I'm not mistaken isn't this the later veneer over Bakelite version?
How about the all wood dash?
Again, I have an original Tiger dash as reference. The veneer factory specifically identified this as Elm.
This is a picture at the veneer factory with the dash sitting on a stack of 4 X 8 veneer sheets. Notice the area under the waist roll. Much more blonde than Walnut. Also the burl pattern is significantly different.

Here is a sheet of Walnut burl. Notice the difference? Much more brown. Even though burl is always unigue with pattern, colors always remain true to the species.


Is there any sales literature that specifically denote "Walnut"?

Heres an image of the Alpine Innovation version. Also Walnut i assume.

 

[alpine_64]

If I'm not mistaken isn't this the later veneer over Bakelite

As discussed a bit earlier, the vener over the bakelite was the SVGT. The one in Mike's picture is not one of those. They are different usually in that the have the bakelite glovebox surround. They also use the standard switch escutcheon of the ST not the deeper all wood dash GT versions as they don't have depth to deal with.

 

[spmdr]

As far as "The Look", I want to make

a point. But must also say, I have quite

specifically spent the Large amount

of my Sunbeam time involved in the

Mechanical aspects of the cars, And

there for Not any kind of Wood Dash

expert, but occasionally noticed how

some original Tigers had quite plain

looking veneer and very few had as

fancy wood as what was sold as

replacements.

And it seemed the early cars tended

to have the better looking wood.

So, like the original Paint, I'm

NOT going for as Close to Original

as I possibly could get, because

on average, The OEM dash is not that

wonderful and/or had a quite widely

differing cosmetic Look, (compared to the repos).

DW

 

[alpine_64]

occasionally noticed how some original Tigers had quite plain
looking veneer and very few had as fancy wood as what was sold as replacements.

And it seemed the early cars tended to have the better looking wood. So, like the original Paint, I'm NOT going for as Close to Original as I possibly could get, because on average, The OEM dash is not that wonderful and/or had a quite widely differing cosmetic Look, (compared to the repos).

DW

Dan...all the original GT and Tiger wood dashes I've seen had the burl grain.. I do note that on the cars where it's very light coloured timber the swirl pattern is far less noticeable.. on some of the very faded ones that are delaminating you really have to look for it... I think this is a result of the fading more than the variation in veneer quality.

The dashes from factory did have a consistent darker stain ..but over time and depending on the cars exposure the prominence of the effect is reduced...
I've never seen an original faded dass with a strong swirl pattern but all the darker stained ones still have. I assume it's a result of sun exposure

 

[Warren]

I've had an original dash car and a covered steering wheel . The car was garaged all but 10 years of its life. The MK2 has left for another who has the stock desire and will to restore the car. Of particular note is stock steering wheels had a semi transparent finish which somewhat masked the wood grain. Also not mentioned is the way any dashboard can darken in sunlight. I also had a dash out of SS in the 90s it was stored installed and on a covered car mostly. The glove box panel wasn't installed as it had a Shelby signature. Yes there was a difference in the darkening of the exposed dash that was obvious.

On a related note before the time of UV coating for windows ...
I did wood floors and noticed a big difference in the way different floors and their coatings allowed wood to darken. Sunny So.Cal. is likely different than other latitudes.

In line with the original cars I've seen or owned this one is worth a look.

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1965-sunbeam-tiger-86/

.

 

[ForzaDesign]

Thanks DW
At the end of the day SS will likely take into account all of the great information you provide.
What ever decision is made, I can assure you the appearance will be beautiful and the quality incomparable. The materials and workmanship is of the highest standard.