Ok, the dashboard upholstery has begun. I'll admit, it's easier than I expected. There are quite a few YouTube videos on how to proceed. My biggest worries were how to finish the edges near the windshield posts and whether I'd have enough material left to cover the bumpers. We'll see pretty soon how it turns out.
I ran it under the windshield post to kind of act like a gasket.
I don't have anything under my corner posts 
and I finished off the dash cover to match the dash bumpers nicely, like this:
Like Blind Faith said in their song; "Do what you like"!
Also, Dr. Clock often runs a length of rubber fender welting under the lower aluminum trim piece and around the corner posts to finish them off. Looks nice, but not worth re-doing the world at this point.
Looks good. Thanks for the tips!
I'll have to admit I'm really enjoying this. Maybe it's just the contact cement fumes talking, but this could be addictive. One bumper down, one to go. Then I'll decide about the silver trim strip. Any opinions?
IM standard issue...
BTW, glue can make things a bit more fuzzy as you get high 
I love the smell of gaz which is funny too.
Did'jah see the trim strip under my dash bumpers? OK, so mine's gold tone, but they have chrome (silver), too.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/12m...-Protector/690126014
You an Amazon Prime member? This might be better:
https://www.amazon.com/ATMOMO-...573176358&sr=8-3
You only need like 5 feet to run under the bumpers and this stuff has an adhesive backing that withstands the rigors of being outside in that intense Hawaiian sun.
And that contact glue outgases more if you heat it a bit - but I bet you already figured that out...... 
mppickett posted:I'll have to admit I'm really enjoying this. Maybe it's just the contact cement fumes talking, but this could be addictive. One bumper down, one to go. Then I'll decide about the silver trim strip. Any opinions?
That is looking really clean Mike. Great job.
Make sure you have an AC vent to your feet and leg area... Not for the passenger.
Leave the silver trim off. Later, if you can't live without it, put it back on.
Once you drill the holes, especially on a silver car, tough to go back. In my opinion it will look cleaner.
No chrome strip , Just my .02
Eh, I decided to go ahead with the strip. Ooh, shiney things... Finished it up except for the dash handle. The replacement one I had bought fits a dash without bumpers. Drat. But the good news is with all of the fumes today, I can cut a glass of wine off of my evening imbibing. Oh, and Ray, there are AC vents under the dash on both sides ☺️
The shiny things are looking great, Mike.
And it looks like some of them light up, too!
@Michael Pickett wrote- "I'll have to admit I'm really enjoying this. Maybe it's just the contact cement fumes talking, but this could be addictive."
@IaM-Ray wrote- "BTW, glue can make things a bit more fuzzy as you get high I love the smell of gaz which is funny too."
They're both brain cell killers, guys; it's a good thing you both won't be around long enough to suffer long term...
I really like the way you integrated the A/C vents. Nice work, Mike! 
That dash looks about perfect. Really excellent job! PM me if you want to sell your grab handle as it might work on my Spyder.
Mike:
That may be the coolest dash I've ever seen in one of these cars.
Stupid-Cool.
^^^What Stan said^^^ Looking really sharp, Mike.
The placement of the AC vents are rather unique to say the least as most times they are on a lower panel.
Thanks, I laid out the dash shortly after I began bringing the body back from the dead. I knew I wanted an outlaw so things just went where I felt like it made sense. It's not perfect (windshield washer button almost too close to the steering column), but when I look at it, it gives me the warm fuzziest. Thanks again for everyone's advice and encouragement. Next step is the cabrio top.
That lower panel that we see on A/C cars always looks like a tack-on. A nice tack on, but a tack-on nonetheless.
Even just the radio hung below the dash looks like a tack-on but What'cha gonna do? Not a lot of options available to us because of tight spaces and it looks like Mike has accomplished his vision with a very classy result. I hope to see a few copies of this in the future.
It's always nice to see a fresh take on how to personalize these cars, and Mike has been consistently hitting it out of the park.
Gordon Nichols posted:That lower panel that we see on A/C cars always looks like a tack-on. A nice tack on, but a tack-on nonetheless.
Even just the radio hung below the dash looks like a tack-on but What'cha gonna do? Not a lot of options available to us because of tight spaces and it looks like Mike has accomplished his vision with a very classy result. I hope to see a few copies of this in the future.
It's always nice to see a fresh take on how to personalize these cars, and Mike has been consistently hitting it out of the park.
^ Amen to that.
I did not see any interior lights ala IM style.
Here is and LED style of the same lights I have they are not as soft as a incadescent but if you wire them on the main light switch you could decide to turn them on from there &/or have the door switches operate them. $5
IaM-Ray posted:I did not see any interior lights ala IM style.
Thanks for the sources, Ray. This body sat out by the ocean for 14 years and after that I had no idea about how it looked originally. I'll want some inside lighting and will pick up some of the ones you suggest. Stupid question, but where do they go?
Mike
Mike the chrome strip looks awesome IMO.
Wow!! Looks absolutely fantastic. Great job! 
IaM-Ray posted:Hey Mike I finally found one, was not easy to find, it happens to be of my old IM. BLow it up a bit you will see it on the passenger side but there is one on both sides.
Got it. That's very helpful!
These are the incandescent ones that I believe IM uses:
http://www.vehiclesafetysupply...mp-61501-p-4094.html
You can also find them on ebay. The part is Grote 61501.
I got a pair of small "utility lights" at Autozone and mounted them to the crossmember behind the dash. IIRC, IM mounts a slightly fancier light to the tops of the side kickpanels. Six of one..........
If you have Autozone on your part of the island, here you go - Just the right size:
What's the thinking about switches for the interior lights? Door switches or a dedicated switch (maybe under the dash)? Thanks!
I'd do both.
The dedicated switch can be the light switch, if it's got a "twist left" position.
I just have the door switches 'cuz my headlight switch pre-dates the "twist-left" era.
The door switches are el cheapo self-adjusting, two-tab, NC jobbies, since the body doesn't ground. I got them at NAPA but couldn't find them in their online catalog.
Ask for an equivalent to Standard Motor Products DS-206, DS-240, or DS-452
I like the ones with a nylon button.
Gordon Nichols posted:I just have the door switches 'cuz my headlight switch pre-dates the "twist-left" era.
The door switches are el cheapo self-adjusting, two-tab, NC jobbies, since the body doesn't ground. I got them at NAPA but couldn't find them in their online catalog.
Ask for an equivalent to Standard Motor Products DS-206, DS-240, or DS-452
I like the ones with a nylon button.
Perfect. Napa is my local option. Thanks!
My IM has door switches that are pretty nice but they may be too short I installed stick on cushions to make them contact more fully.
I think I found it .. https://www.ebay.ie/itm/Door-h...-metal-/261774739926
Is this close to you Mike? Sorry I saw Oz, but it is in the UK. At least you know the style now.
There are some much less expensive switches but I am not sure the oval plate is available on those. Just saying.
Help, I need dash grab bar that will fit dashboards with the IM/CMC bumpers. Does anyone know where I might find one?
Thanks!
Post a picture of the one you have.
