1969 Dash Carrier Restoration Source

[william]

For what you're willing to pay I'll bet you could find an NOS carrier. There are two versions, with or without tach. Neither was punched for a clock as that was done at the plants. Either will do as the standard carrier is marked where it needs to be trimmed for the tach. Some later versions will not have the chrome applique.

Look around. They are out there.

[Edgemontvillage]

For what you're willing to pay I'll bet you could find an NOS carrier. There are two versions, with or without tach. Neither was punched for a clock as that was done at the plants. Either will do as the standard carrier is marked where it needs to be trimmed for the tach. Some later versions will not have the chrome applique.

Look around. They are out there.

William, I have never seen an NOS dash carrier offered for sale - never, almost everything else for our cars I have seen offered from time to time however never an NOS carrier.  If one were available I'd be a buyer!

[69pace]

I have used the HBC custom cut reproductions that were already cut for Tachometer, and Clock/Fuel on a few peoples projects in the past and the savings in time is handy.

They use the OER reproduction dash carrier which is quite good in appearance and fitment. Sometimes you have to trim a bit the chrome edges but no big issues with it in general. I've gotten good at cutting the holes for single and double toggles for power tops and defoggers since they do not offer those custom options at HBC.

Yes it costs more then the standard carrier, and yes the templates are there on the back already or available at Team Camaro and yes you can easily chop out the parts you need by yourself but to have it arrive, unbox, mount your gauges and go, or only have to make one bowtie cut for the power top switch is great IMHO so I would buy them again no question especially for color interiors.

[Edgemontvillage]

I have used the HBC custom cut reproductions that were already cut for Tachometer, and Clock/Fuel on a few peoples projects in the past and the savings in time is handy.

They use the OER reproduction dash carrier which is quite good in appearance and fitment. Sometimes you have to trim a bit the chrome edges but no big issues with it in general. I've gotten good at cutting the holes for single and double toggles for power tops and defoggers since they do not offer those custom options at HBC.

Yes it costs more then the standard carrier, and yes the templates are there on the back already or available at Team Camaro and yes you can easily chop out the parts you need by yourself but to have it arrive, unbox, mount your gauges and go, or only have to make one bowtie cut for the power top switch is great IMHO so I would buy them again no question especially for color interiors.

I am curious about how the (HBC) OER reproduction dash would be judged in Bow Tie or Legends classes?

[firstgenaddict]

Lloyd vacuum metalized is the correct process, there were quite w few places doing it, vacuum metalizing is the process for making "plastic foil" potato chip bags as well.
NJsteve did some excellent plastic reconstruction projects on the Yenko board.

[Hans L]

Lloyd  -

I had mine restored by Instrument Specialties.   Very satisfied with their work.  They repaired the radio cut-outs and more.   

Before and After:

<iframe width="480" height="360" src="http://s1061.photobucket.com/user/jwlittooy/embed/slideshow/Dash%20Instrument%20Bezel"></iframe>
 
Sorry for the late post....

[Hans L]

By the way, I originally bought a reproduction.   Though not terribly bad, it was wrong in a few areas, notably the fonts used in some places (the "M" in Volume was an upside down "W").    Also, I did not want to go through the process of having to cut out back faces to accommodate the gauge clusters....again, very happy with the work IS did.

[69pace]

Great documentation Hans. Did you walk it in to Mike at SI in North Kingstown or ship it?

[Hans L]

Great documentation Hans. Did you walk it in to Mike at SI in North Kingstown or ship it?

Thanks.   I shipped it - in a big box with lots of bubble wrap!

[copo]

The bezel looks nice, do they rechrome the whole bezel and then paint the bezel, or only rechrome the outlines and lettering ?

[Hans L]

The bezel looks nice, do they rechrome the whole bezel and then paint the bezel, or only rechrome the outlines and lettering ?

Here's the process, per their website description:  http://www.instrument-specialties.com/services/plastic-chrome-bezels/

[ko-lek-tor]

Hans,
Pic 48/51 shows the restored backside of your cluster, real nice work, I may add, notably there is a metal brace across the back. I have seen this on AC equipped 69s, but never in any other cluster. Surely that was added to keep the dash rigid in handling and not part of your dash?

[ZLP955]

My dash carrier has one of those braces on it

[Hans L]

Well, all I can say is the support bracket was there on the bezel when I disassembled the dash and had the correct code "NN".  It's an original console/gauge car and this bezel is original to the car. And being a Z, no AC.   My car is very similar to Tim's.   04B, Van Nuys, 69-69.     

Here's a pic of the bracket before restoration:

[Edgemontvillage]

Lloyd  -

I had mine restored by Instrument Specialties.   Very satisfied with their work.  They repaired the radio cut-outs and more.   

Before and After:

<iframe width="480" height="360" src="http://s1061.photobucket.com/user/jwlittooy/embed/slideshow/Dash%20Instrument%20Bezel"></iframe>
 
Sorry for the late post....

Excellent and detailed photos Hans, thank you for posting.