[rsk289]

Yes, that's pretty much my plan. No padding, and I plan to pie-wedge the gauges just to help retain the leather. All holes have been checked for clearance with the relevant gauge (using scrap leather around the hole) and the relevant switch (not pie-cut). I think it's just the dash bottom compound curvature that is the problem area, and some on the ACOC have suggested steam whilst glueing it down. I have spare scraps so will practice a couple of techniques first.
A thought - was there any kind of trim strip on the bare edge of the bottom of the dash? My Austin Healey's ali dash had a strip of furflex pushed over the trimmed edge.