1957 with cracked red dash pad | Ford Thunderbird club group 1955-2005 T-Bird models

  • We're glad you found us via a search engine! Right now, you can join our club absolutely free and unlock member only features like the site search! This notice only appears once! It only takes 30 seconds to register, and we would love to have you as part of the World's largest Thunderbird Forum/Club! Click here to continue

1957 with cracked red dash pad

  • Thread starter Thread starter LGB
  • Start date Start date
L

LGB

Click here to upgrade
Reaction score
0
Thunderbird Year
1957
what will hurt the resale the most ford tooled pad and have to paint (dye) it which no one recommends especially me. aftermarket pad which still need dying but $200 cheaper but the tooled one being dyed is not my idea of OEM anyway. third is the shop can make one out of red nagahide.but it won't have pleats and not molded it is double stiched or just do the coverlay

This page contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated. As an eBay Partner, and Amazon Associate I may be compensated if you make a purchase at no cost to you.

 
LGB said:
what will hurt the resale the most ford tooled pad and have to paint (dye) it which no one recommends especially me. aftermarket pad which still need dying but $200 cheaper but the tooled one being dyed is not my idea of OEM anyway. third is the shop can make one out of red nagahide.but it won't have pleats and not molded it is double stiched or just do the coverlay
Click to expand...
I think it depends on what kind of car you have. If it's a driver I think what most people will care about is whether it looks decent. But if it's "show" or concurs level I would think you need the one that looks as close to factory as possible.
 
I'm right alongside ya, LGB. Many years ago my '57 was painted a non-factory burgundy, and the whole interior was matched to that. The dashpad dye has held up really well, but the pad itself is an ocean of cracks and splits. I'll have to eventually replace it, and will have no choice but to use dye. Honestly, my bigger fear is the replacement itself. I've heard it's a very unpleasant job. At least the car is a three-speed no-power-options no-soft-top driver, which alleviates some worry about originality and concours correctness.
 
I got frustrated trying to keep everything original and color correct so decided to update with a new upholstered vinyl dash and gauges. Looks and shows well.

IMG_4037.JPG
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top