Dashboard renovation

Graham Squire · Posted: Wed Oct 27, 2021 2:46 pm Post subject: Dashboard renovation

Hello All
I removed re-varnished and replaced my MkVI dashboard some time ago, which required cutting it into two pieces for removal past the steering wheel, which was the advice at the time. I also spent much time upside down in the footwell screwing the glove compartments back onto the rear of the dashboard. This has always left me wondering when the dashboard was fitted at the factory. Was the dash part of the rolling chassis before the steering wheel and body were fitted? Maybe archive photos from the factory might clarify this for me but otherwise - does anyone know? .Graham Squire

Martin Webster · Posted: Thu Oct 28, 2021 3:58 pm Post subject:

Hello Graham,
I’m not certain why you were instructed to cut your instrument board as it would have been possible to remove without such drastic action.
The bare Mk VI chassis was supplied complete with the bulkhead and the instrument board fitted ready for the body, whether coach built or standard steel.
If you can access copies of Martin Bennett’s book, Rolls-Royce and Bentley : The Crewe Years and Martyn Nutland’s,Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith ,Dawn and Cloud /Bentley MkVI & R type you will see some archive images in both books of the bare chassis of the Mk VI which illustrate what it looked like prior to the coachwork being fitted.

Martin
B88HR

Graham Squire · Posted: Thu Oct 28, 2021 5:29 pm Post subject:

Hello Martin Thank you for info and will take a look. Regards Graham

Charles R Simmers · Joined: 19 Apr 2000 Posts: 117 Location: Arizona, USA

I've never had removing the dash in my '48 MKVI. It does help a bit to lower the steering column to get more clearance on the top edge of the dash.

Graham Squire · Posted: Sun Oct 31, 2021 3:57 pm Post subject:

Hello All, it seems from the factory bare chassis photos mentioned that a temporary wooden dash with instrument panel was mounted on the scuttle. Looking back on my photos of renovating the dashboard proper, the problem I faced was that this could not be removed past the steering wheel unless the glove boxes are first removed. These are fixed with screws into the back of the dashboard and are difficult enough to access in-situ on the near side but impossible on the steering wheel side. Hence removal involved splitting the dash and reconnecting with a plate on reinstallation. Drastic but unavoidable without removal of the steering wheel with its control linkages? Is the latter really what installation at the factory involved?
Any further thought will be welcome Graham