[Tenrocca]

Timber...something I know a little about....

You could perhaps use a method used to make curved plywood (as in chair backs). Sheets of veneer are glued together and placed in a press with the desired curvature\shape. When the glue dries open her up and it will retain the desired shape.

As for the 50 coats of varnish product (i think its called "liquid gloss" or something similar)...real timber should never be finished with this stuff as it doesnt allow the timber to breath. It would prob go OK on a veneered fibreglass dash though, although its not the most natural looking finish.