You probably have a dash cap.

I have a question.

Are the dashes in these cars supposed to be padded foam coating a plastic core? or are they just plastic?

Cause my 77' 280z has an all plastic dash, or to what it seems atleast.

thanks

Our 73 has a stamped sheet steel frame with a foam/vinyl cover. I would expect your 77 to be the same. A "Dash Cap" comes to mind, but I've never actually seen one.

All original S30 Dashes are a Steel frame with foam and a plastic film, Dash Restorations refoams and re films, a full face dash cover that has been properly fitted looks almost as good as a restored dash, but is readily identifiable as a cover at the dash emblem/glovebox lock, and at the sides with the doors open(the cover does not cover all of the dash on the sides, and the opening for the dash emblem/glovebox lock is not well fitted around the emblem/lock. Most people would not notice the cover, Z freaks probably would, but then they would also recognize with the $600 difference between a restored dash and a well fitted cover could make elsewhere in the car!

Dash cover in my 240Z http://www.classiczcars.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=14322&ppuser=4106

Restored vs NOS 1 http://www.classiczcars.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=19209&ppuser=4106

Restored vs NOS 2 http://www.classiczcars.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=19208&ppuser=4106

Installing a cover-see post 18 here: http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/showthread.php?t=12725&page=2&pp=15&highlight=dash+cover

Edited March 9, 201114 yr by hls30.com

I've thought it might be possible to form/stretch black leather over a dashboard, perhaps with the help of some strong contact adhesive. It would have to be pretty thin and stretchy material -- something like kidskin.

This is possible.

I did it on my RX7 using a load of leather I got from a friend who does leather interiors on private jets.

Difficult to see it perfectly in this pic, but should give you an idea:

Simply filled all cracks, sanded down, and stretched the leather over, sticking down with relevant adhesive. It did need some stitching over the curved area above the dials (due to being stretchy, but not quite that stretchy!!) but I was lucky having a friend who did it all. Cost around 150 of your American dollars including supply of leather, repair of dash and fitting of leather so better than a dash cap in my eyes!

With the leather having a slight foam backing it is soft to the touch and makes the car look like a luxury GT rather than a cheap Japanese import!!

NICE!