Hawk-Rod: The Restoration

[CoronetDarter]

The bezel looks real good. I'm getting close to doing the same white lettering on the Coronet dash.

 

[HawkRod]

Dash Pad Comparison

I had ordered a dash pad from Year One. When I took it out of the box it was horrible. It was like a wet noodle - no metal core. On top of that, the lines and shape of it were terrible. So I ordered another dash pad from Classic Industries. This had a metal core, nice shape and nice (but not perfect) lines. All in all though, it is a very nice piece that I put on the car.

Here are some pictures of dash pads: My Original, the Classic Industries one, and the Year One pad.


Notice the crisp lines and corners on both the original and Classic pads. Then look at the Year One pad.


Again, check out the difference in shape and construction.




Here it is installed on the dash. It was a PITA to put on even with the dash off the car!!!


Now to go fight with Year One about having them accept their dash pad as a return. I have had it in the box for about 9 months...

 

[Pistol Pete]

Year One can beat you to death with shipping charges but they've always been pretty accommodating with returns. Good luck.

 

[747mopar]

Ooooooooh, good choice getting a different one!

 

[Ron 73]

I bought a truck load of stuff from Year One doing my 73, If they give you a problem returning it bud it would surprise the heck out of me.. Good luck with it...

 

[eagleone1983]

The one from Classic looks like the B/E&A one, that's who I went with when I got mine but I bought mine at the MOPAR Nats, no shipping

 

[Ron 73]

Getting parts you need when someplace they have them is the way to go! The shipping is bad with everything!!!

 

[Malicious]

I didn't even know there was a metal core one. My car came wiht a new 'noodle' dash pad. I just installed it without a thought.

How much was the classic ind one? It looks a lot clearer and sharp!

 

[HawkRod]

I didn't even know there was a metal core one. My car came wiht a new 'noodle' dash pad. I just installed it without a thought.

How much was the classic ind one? It looks a lot clearer and sharp!

I want to say it was like $214 or so plus shipping. Look for the authorized Chrysler restoration logo, I think several places carry it ...

 

[bobtile]

I lightly sanded the chromed edges so they would take paint. Then I washed them carefully with soap and water, using a toothbrush to clean all the small crevices in the instrument bezel. Finally, I wiped them down with lacquer thinner.

My mother-in-law used to make greeting cards and she used stamps to put down ink images. I almost wonder if a flat stamp with white paint would do a better job of getting the words painted white. That was a PITA and almost impossible to get it looking really good with a brush.

Hawk

I used white out on mine. It had a foam brush applicator. It worked well.

 

[HawkRod]

I used white out on mine. It had a foam brush applicator. It worked well.

Great Idea! Thanks for the tip - I will try this on future projects...

 

[CoronetDarter]

I want to say it was like $214 or so plus shipping. Look for the authorized Chrysler restoration logo, I think several places carry it ...

I ordered the same pad from CI at the beginning of my project, same price. That was before I knew about their discounts; don't know if the pad is eligible. I matched it up to the original and the outside face is a perfect match. The mounting studs are shorter than the originals so as you mentioned it could be a PITA to start the nut.

 

[CoronetDarter]

I want to say it was like $214 or so plus shipping. Look for the authorized Chrysler restoration logo, I think several places carry it ...

I ordered the same pad from CI at the beginning of my project, same price. That was before I knew about their discounts; don't know if the pad is eligible. I matched it up to the original and the outside face is a perfect match. The mounting studs are shorter than the originals so as you mentioned it could be a PITA to start the nut.

 

[Propwash]

Wow....That year one pad is pretty much an insult compared to the C.I. pad. Glad to hear your replacement is of much better quality. Year One should drop that poor excuse for a dash pad pronto.

 

[HawkRod]

Wow....That year one pad is pretty much an insult compared to the C.I. pad. Glad to hear your replacement is of much better quality. Year One should drop that poor excuse for a dash pad pronto.

Yeah, Prop - I totally agree. Year One has always been on the upper end with prices and with shipping, but their customer service AND their parts always used to be top notch. This is NOT what I expect from Year One. If I am going to pay top dollar, then I darn well expect top notch products and/or work...

 

[eldubb440]

i had about enough of dash pad drivel....... this should put an end to it :sunny:

 

[747mopar]

imp_daddy::monkeydance::banana: Sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet!!!! That looks awesome.:wtg:

 

[eldubb440]

cleanest job evah........... lol, thanks........ bunch of parts still to paint

 

[Propwash]

Fantastic!! Looks great!

 

[flypaper]

thats real nice and purty....
good job Mark..
i'm jealous now!
i still have lead/finish work to do before priming my junk,i'm gettin close
i wish i was that far along.