murrayarnold Posted November 3, 2020 Report Share Posted November 3, 2020 Good day Everyone from around the world. I am from the UK but have lived in Croatia for the last 21 years. With me is My TR6, also MGB, MK1 Escort and Morris Minor. I've owned my 6 for 25 years now. And a few weeks ago i was looking at my walnut dash and thinking i need to renew it. After looking at all the UK and US markets I realized that the cost of a new dash was between 250 and 300 pounds. Wow, for a flat piece of plywood. ( the attached photo is my current dash that I plan to replace) Now as it happens, next door to me is a furniture manufacturer. A family run business for 50 years. This does not mean 50 year old tools. We are talking CNC machines, custom 3D graphic design software etc. This family is now part of my own extended family. After a chance conversation regarding other furniture and walking round the shop i struck on the idea of manufacturing my own dash. And off course, other ones for people around the world. We have a special graphics paint system that can paint on the wood, the finish you want. Beit a factory finish, Walnut etc. In addition with this technology, a custom personalized dash can be made. This is only limited to your imagination. This would be hand varnished and polished to a piano finish. As for price. I want to try and have a dash made and delivered to your door for under 200 pounds. I want a dash that I would be more than happy to install in my own car. If anyone is interested, please let me know so i can gauge the possible market. I for one have purchased way to many parts for my cars that promised the world, and upon delivery turned out to be a poor representation of the original. I cant keep complaining about poor quality parts if i know i can make better myself. I can be contacted by email. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
John Morrison Posted November 3, 2020 Report Share Posted November 3, 2020 Hi Murray, great Idea I think, but I strongly advise against quoting your personal email address here, far better to ask for contact via a PM. I have removed for now, IF, you want it re-instated, no prob, just ask. John. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JohnC Posted November 3, 2020 Report Share Posted November 3, 2020 Hi Murray, That would be a pretty compelling proposition. Mind you, I suspect including delivery to Australia might be a challenge at that price! You mention a graphics paint system. Do you mean the pattern will be painted rather than veneered? JC Quote Link to post Share on other sites
murrayarnold Posted November 3, 2020 Author Report Share Posted November 3, 2020 51 minutes ago, John Morrison said: Hi Murray, great Idea I think, but I strongly advise against quoting your personal email address here, far better to ask for contact via a PM. I have removed for now, IF, you want it re-instated, no prob, just ask. John. Grand advise sir. I will follow your lead. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
murrayarnold Posted November 3, 2020 Author Report Share Posted November 3, 2020 21 minutes ago, JohnC said: Hi Murray, That would be a pretty compelling proposition. Mind you, I suspect including delivery to Australia might be a challenge at that price! You mention a graphics paint system. Do you mean the pattern will be painted rather than veneered? JC Yes, painted with polished varnish finish. I have still to have one finished using this method. When its done, if i don't like the finished product, then veneering is still possible. I want to produce a product that looks great, can be totally bespoke to the owner, or simple wooden walnut finish at more affordable price. A price thats simply unbeatable. The skills, material and equipment are here. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
murrayarnold Posted November 3, 2020 Author Report Share Posted November 3, 2020 As for world wide shipping. Like Australia, I will find out the shipping fees, shipping times and see if its still an economically viable solution. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DRD Posted November 3, 2020 Report Share Posted November 3, 2020 Hi Murray - yes I'd be interested if the quality and price is right. Cheers Darren Quote Link to post Share on other sites
murrayarnold Posted November 5, 2020 Author Report Share Posted November 5, 2020 First template done. However my own one will need modified due to my dash being done in leather. So the outer dimensions will need reduced by about 3mm all round. But we have made a comparison and the template is a perfect profile of the original. We will now work on a finish. I am going to consider reinstalling the dimmer switch or just deleting it, I'm putting a clock where it used to be Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JohnC Posted November 5, 2020 Report Share Posted November 5, 2020 Will you be able to offer options for the dimmer hole? For example, dimmer, starter button, 52mm for clock, etc. Also, does this tech have the possibility of manufacturing door cappings? JC Quote Link to post Share on other sites
murrayarnold Posted November 6, 2020 Author Report Share Posted November 6, 2020 Funny you should ask about the door capping. I have them in my car. Thats something for me to look into. I'll get back on that. As for holes in the dash for other instruments. Thats not a problem. There is a limited space to work with. But if someone said I want a hole here or there, or they don't want t the glove box etc, it all very easy to do. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
murrayarnold Posted November 8, 2020 Author Report Share Posted November 8, 2020 Hi guys. I've uploaded photos and videos of the beginning of the dash prototype. Drop by my Instagram and drop your comments. #croatian.classic.cars Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JochemsTR Posted November 9, 2020 Report Share Posted November 9, 2020 Hi Murray, no instagram here. I am definitely interested so I can only recommend, get yourself a webpage with ordering and payment information and a gallery with pictures. Also some kind of area where customization can be addressed. Jochem Quote Link to post Share on other sites
murrayarnold Posted November 9, 2020 Author Report Share Posted November 9, 2020 (edited) For sure your not wrong. I know from my own car that the factory dash needs fettled as my dash was re- upholstered in leather. And like my own, I've added a hole for a clock. I have no need for the dimmer switch. I still have to produce a complete dash so u can best ascertain the cost. I want this to be a great product at a sensible price. I think most dashboards are overpriced. I also have my MG here so once I have mastered the tr6 dash I will look at the mgb dash and see what can be done. If its all looking feasible, I will start a dedicated Web site. Edited November 9, 2020 by murrayarnold Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JochemsTR Posted November 9, 2020 Report Share Posted November 9, 2020 (edited) if you get this under 200 Euros, then you may be very well a very attractive supplier. Classical Dash in UK also do the custom work without surcharge. Jochem Edited November 9, 2020 by JochemsTR Quote Link to post Share on other sites
murrayarnold Posted November 9, 2020 Author Report Share Posted November 9, 2020 Thats exactly my plan. To be able to deliver to your door without exceeding 200 pounds. I would have to, to make it a serious option. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JohnC Posted November 9, 2020 Report Share Posted November 9, 2020 I suspect you'll have a winner if you can do that. Particularly as custom cut-outs and custom patterns are (relatively) easy to do with the digital tools you have. Hope it all goes according to plan! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.