Any experiences with IAP dash & console

**alfaparticle** · #1 (**permalink**) 07-13-2007, 10:10 AM

Has anyone installed the replacement dash and/or console from IAP? The console is not padded. I wonder how it looks. I have a Euro console in my spider but it has holes for the emegency flasher switch and brake warning light. The picture in the IAP catalog shows a console without these holes. The replacement dash looks rather like a dash cap that covers the front, as well as the top of the dash. I have seen some crappy looking dash caps. Is this a significant improvement?

Thanks,
Ed Prytherch
74 GTV
79 Spider
88 Milano Verde

he3r0 · #2 (**permalink**) 07-13-2007, 11:43 AM

first I would try to make what I need from fiberglass...
just an idea....

**Bill S** · #3 (**permalink**) 07-13-2007, 01:06 PM

Hi Ed,

Once I get my Duetto back on the road I'll be parting out a '79 spider. The dash has three sizable cracks around the top vents but might make a good candidate for the Akitaman $30 dash fix. That way it wouldn't interrupt your summer driving having to pull your dash first. Also has a decent console. Let me know if you're interested and I can give more details.

Bill Sinclair

**alfaparticle** · #4 (**permalink**) 07-13-2007, 02:16 PM

Hi Bill:
Thanks for the offer. I have decided to blow some of the revenue from selling the GTV to make my spider look more presentable. I will buy new stuff if it is good.
Ed

wyoming_alfa · #5 (**permalink**) 07-15-2007, 03:57 PM

just recieved a IAP dash cap, CRAP! I knew it was to good to be true but couldn't resist taking the chance. looks great on the top but no attempt was made to blen the face of the dash cap (the part you look at when you drive the thing

I guess I will send it back and try the dash panel. If I remember, they say you can put the new dash on over the old (sounds fishy)

**gprocket** · #6 (**permalink**) 07-15-2007, 04:47 PM

I don't think it's a problem with IAP - the best you can hope for with a dash cap is that it is better than looking at cracks or the piece of carpet you fit to cover the dash. I lot of guys use http://www.justdashes.com/Index.htm and like the work they do. Not cheap but with today's materials and techniques I think you'll have a dash that will last a lot long than an original dash...

- Rich D.

**alfaparticle** · #7 (**permalink**) 07-15-2007, 06:42 PM

Just Dashes did the dash in my GTV (that I just sold). It is very nice work. I was hoping to find someting presentable but less than show car quality.

How do Centerline's restored dashes compare?

Ed.

**gprocket** · #8 (**permalink**) 07-15-2007, 10:57 PM

I just ran across this at re-originals. This is a lot cheaper than the centerline dash. http://reoriginals.com/index.asp?Pag...OD&ProdID=6619

- Rich D.

**alfaparticle** · #9 (**permalink**) 07-17-2007, 05:44 AM

Thanks for that lead. Re-Originals sells top quality stuff. I am a bit surprised that they have lower prices than some of the competition.
Ed

JoeCab · #10 (**permalink**) 07-17-2007, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alfaparticle

Thanks for that lead. Re-Originals sells top quality stuff. I am a bit surprised that they have lower prices than some of the competition.
Ed

Ohiospider1975 · #11 (**permalink**) 06-18-2008, 02:24 PM

Ed,

This is also good information and very good leads.

Ohiospider1975

**alfaparticle** · #12 (**permalink**) 06-18-2008, 05:58 PM

I bought a reproduction console from IAP and it looks fine. I had to open up the hole for the shifter boot. My car is Euro spec, without all the idiot lights. It would have been a lot more work to cut the holes for those.
I then bought a dash cap, also from IAP. I spent the best part of a day trimming it and opening up the holes for the vents, but I am very happy with the result. You have to look closely to see that it is a cap.

Ohiospider1975 · #13 (**permalink**) 06-21-2008, 10:53 AM

I am looking at replacing a broken console on my 1975 spider. It just sort of rests there and is broken away from its bottom bolt attachments. I find within the Centerline catalog "large ashtray" consoles and "small ashtray" consoles, neither with dimensions. I don't know which I have as it seems to me to be a relative perspective issue. I am concerned about Ed's listing above regardin an IAP console that require cutting away plastic for the American version "idiot lights" which I have--if they are still functional (still to be determined). All I want is as simple of a console replacement as possible, with no major re-engineering issues.

Any comments are appreciated.
Ohiospider1975

**eight-o-one** · #14 (**permalink**) 06-21-2008, 12:07 PM

Ohiospider1875,In my opinion only*; the BEST route to go is to find one from a car
(requires much searching and pleading) that at 'worst' you'll have to
have
an upholsterer re-skin. That is what I have done on some interior bits
by a local shop. It seems that the 'sftermarket' stuff NEVER seems to
fit properly or has the wrong 'graining'. Take your time and this part
you WILL find!...............Ed K.
*for whatever its worth

golfbuddah · #15 (**permalink**) 06-28-2008, 12:03 PM

i am interested in getting more info