Upholstered the dash

Dangerous Doug · #1 (**permalink**) 06-28-2006, 07:17 PM

Just finished upholstering my ERA 289 FIA dashboard. I ended using some UV protected "marine" vinyl I found on the web (www.outdoortextiles.com). I cut out for the guages and switches, and it looks great. It was pretty easy to do. A little glue, an exacto knife, some patience, and a beer (beer unnecessary, but it makes for a nice evening out in the garage...).

As the standard switches don't have a bezel (and the cut edge of the fabric would show), I'm planning on replacing the switches. I found some "Painless" switches in the Summit catalog that are rated to 20 amps. Is this the same rating (or better) than the switches that came with the kit? Or should I be looking for a higher rated switch? Also, anyone know where I can get the chrome "spanner wrench" type bezels for the toggle switches, similar in look to the one that comes with the ignition switch?

CHANMADD · #2 (**permalink**) 06-28-2006, 08:46 PM

I found some aliminium washers ,drilled them out and polished them.They look great and I am going to use alphabet stamp set to stamp the washers ,side,head wiper etc.

*13* · #3 (**permalink**) 06-28-2006, 08:47 PM

Awsome! You're gonna have to post some pics someday though

I can't wait to see you progress!

CHANMADD · #4 (**permalink**) 06-28-2006, 08:57 PM

Ill get some pics this week .I built my car in 1989 and have been driving it as my daily good weather driver since then.Ive rebuilt the motor recently after dropping a rod.All jag suspension Jag manual 4 spd/electric overdrive gearbox,and I have redone my interior cpmpletly 4 times.Honestly the first time was all leather and that lasted the longest.This time I used the latest synthetic leather and I will see how that lasts.I do all the upholstery and fab myself so it doesnt cost me that much.I will try to put pics up tomorrow.

Dangerous Doug · #5 (**permalink**) 06-29-2006, 10:03 PM

Thanks, guys. I spotted some polished washers at the local hardware store, and figured I could drill them out.

I was thinking of adding one of the "Shelby American Cobra" plates to the dash, like I see on many of the originals, and stamp "ERA-2108" into it. Where do you get the alphanumeric stamps?

Anyone know the amp rating of the switches? 20 amps seems reasonable.

Hyde: I decided to go with the standard GM calipers after reading Excaliber's posting on his 427 stopping fine with them. I looked at his car over a long time ago, and figured that if the Camaro brakes work fine for a Cobra with a 427 with cast iron heads, they'll be able to stop my 289 as well. I am going to do steel braided brake lines though. Probably order them from Summit tomorrow.

Pictures? I gotta show you pictures of my deck. *****'n! Days from done. THEN I can spend more time working on the Cobra!

*13* · #6 (**permalink**) 06-29-2006, 10:41 PM

The plaque like this? I used this one & the numbered one under the hood with ERA2088 stamped on it. I'll see if i have a pic....

The house projects too long. Just starting on the second bathroom myself. Hope to get a good amount of it done this weekend.... We'll see.

*13* · #7 (**permalink**) 06-29-2006, 10:48 PM

You can see the under the hood tag here(sorry, not a great pic) We just happened to have a set of the punches at work. You should be able to pic them up at any decent tool supply store. Take the Tag with you to estimate the size you need & don't punch too hard, the aluminum was really soft on my tags. I think I got them from Branda Performance. They look great!

CobERA · #8 (**permalink**) 07-01-2006, 04:42 AM

Doug,

I have a Shelby VIN plate in my car. I took it to a jeweler and had them inscribe it with ERA644. Came out very nice.