Replacing Dash top on my 71 Coupe

[Rusty]

Just received a new Dash top from Stoddards today for my 71 911. Dash looks good, its the one that can also be used on a later car with the dash air vents. Few issues, three of the horizontal studs don't align with the dash. so will use only two studs. The three vertical studs align, but the lock nuts overpower the thread lock on the studs, so the studs screwed in additionally poking through the back side of the vinyl covering. Use a standard 6mm nut and wave washer, and threadlocker on the stud end that thread into the dash top. Can't say I'm thrilled about the new 1600$ dash but it looks soo much better than my old cracked and discolored original.
That said, I can't wait to go out and flash my lights at a TR3 or something English, as I seldom see an old Porsche on the road.
I have a real love hate relationship with reman products.
Best health to all of you,
Rusty

[merbesfield]

Why didn't you use the non-vented original?

[Frank Beck]

Rusty,

If you're striving for authenticity with your restoration you're going to regret using a late dash. It's your car but that's a major faux pas.

[Rusty]

Thought I was ordering the proper dash

[Frank Beck]

Your car must be on a rotisserie.

Maybe post a better pic?
When you say the dash can be used on a later car with the vent are you meaning that the "ghost" of the vent outline is there? If that's the case then you have the correct dash.

[Rusty]

The Ghost is there Frank. Sorry about the pic iPhone issue

[merbesfield]

Your car must be on a rotisserie.

Maybe post a better pic?
When you say the dash can be used on a later car with the vent are you meaning that the "ghost" of the vent outline is there? If that's the case then you have the correct dash.

Yea, I too thought he meant later dash with vents.

[smedley]

Observations on the "new" Porsche Classic dash pad.

Just installed one on a '73 911.

The grain and luster are virtually perfect.

The ghost is there, but only if you are looking for it or you have the pad in your lap bottom up. When installed in the car it disappears.

The speaker hole pattern is WRONG and really stupid. It's fixable if you have the correct size punches.

The fit on the '73 was perfect. Popped right in with all the studs lining up.

The defogger cutouts are still slightly larger, but barely noticeable compared to earlier repro pads.

[Jrsully]

How does the Porsche classic pad compare to the Lakewell pad.? Or are they one in the same.?

[smedley]

The "new" Porsche Classic piece and the Lakewood are definately not the same piece.

A vendor at Rennsport had all the currently available units layed out for inspection...

The Lakewood unit's grain and luster is off from original, but the shape and speaker grill looked decent.

The "new" Porsche Classic is spot on as to grain and luster. As stated before the "ghost" is visable when the pad is upside down on your lap, and you're looking for it. In the car it is virtually invisable. The fit is excellent. Only issue is the stupid hole pattern in the insert. We VERY carefully filled in the corners of the hole pattern with a metric punch. So it's fixble.