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Part 6: Dash Bodywork

(Click photo to enlarge)

I'm starting with the dash, because it's the easiest panel to work on without going thru gymnastics moving things out of the garage. This is after sanding off the old paint/primer, and repairing the drop section with a new steel panel made to fit. This is the second layer of filler going on, very thin coats are being used here, primarily to get a nice smooth finish where the panels were welded in.

Another shot of the dash, the areas with the green filler had all the work done. I found it easier to simply replace the gauge and radio panel and the area below it with new metal, but this also meant filling in the upper corners of the drop section with some smaller panels and filling in all the bezel mounting holes. Also note the relocated steering column cutout, shaped to fit the column and shift tubes.

(Click photo to enlarge)

(Click photo to enlarge)

Here it is after the second coat of filler, the area shown here is all completely new under the speedo cutout, where the gauges would go. There were 6 holes under the speedo cutout to mount that bezel, and since it was mangled, I'm not going to put it back on.

Another view. The small filler patch in the upper corner is just visible, and even though this looks like a lot of filler, it is spread very thin just to get rid of tool markings and what little bits of the welds would not metalfinish perfectly smooth.

(Click photo to enlarge)

(Click photo to enlarge)

This is the speedo cluster after being torn apart, the mechanism cleaned, lenses polished with toothpaste to get rid of the dirt/hazing, and the housing stripped and reprimed.

Click here for Part 7: Completing the Dash


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