I will be changing the sweep dash in the '72 convertible in the future.

I can't beleive how much $ is costs to restore an SS dash.

Well, here's my thought! Monti Carlo dashes with the wood grain look seem a little less expensive. What if I painted the Wood grain to the the body color? Mine would be a '70 Shadow Grey color with a black interior. I think you would really appreciate it since it would be highly visible when the top is down.

What do you all think?
Has anyone ever done this?
All/any feedback is highly welcome.

Chev-hell did this exact same thing with his green 70.

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Rainer Seitz
Vancouver, WA
Team Chevelle Gold #50
ACES #3784

'68 SS396
'70 LS3 400 Malibu
'70 Malibu convertible 350/300hp
and the latest - '70 Malibu 454!

See them all at the all-new Rainer's Hot Rod Shop! (http://rseitz.homestead.com/main.html)
rseitz@chevelles.com

Thats all the Monte dash is is a SS dash with a wood grain applique over the top. You can pop them off and they look just like the Chevelle. Only problem is, some of the wood grain things leave 2 or 3 little holes you have to fill with glue or something and repaint them. I have seen some of the Monte dashes that did not have the holes and were just glued on, must of been the factory or a different production run.

Take the cover off and you can fill the holes and texture them to where they can't be noticed. I've used a two part epoxy filling one hole at a time. You have to fill it level with the hole sitting as horizontally as possible. Just as it starts to cure take a tooth pick and create the grain to match the rest of the dash. Let it cure and repaint the dash. I stick a peice of masking tape to the back to hold the filler in place. There you have it. I'm giving all my little secrets away now. While your at it redo the gauges and put some shine to that wore out plastic cover over the gauges.

I know the factory SS dahes have a "texture" to them where the Monte woodgrain insert covers. When you take the woodgrain insert off of the Monte dash is it "textured" the same as an SS dash? I've seen pictures in various places of the Monte dashes and they look "smooth" under the woodgrain insert. Maybe the pictures weren't detailed enough?? Just curious as I plan on converting my sweep dash to an SS style dash.

You can also take the woodgrain insert and paint it with black wrinkle paint to give it a texture...71 Monte dashes don't have holes,72's don't either,but they do have the "fasten seat belt" warning light..70 Monte dashes are the ones with the holes.

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1970 Chevelle SS396/M21/4.10 My 70 SS396 (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/mr4speed70SS1)
Engine pic (http://chevelles.com/showroom/mr4speed70SSengine2)
1968 Oldsmobile Cutlass convertible
1982 Oldsmobile Cutlass 350 Olds,TH350(daily driver)
"Be aware of the possible ramifications of the potential outcome"
Chris Corwel,the man from the too much taxes and over priced gas state of Connecticut
TC Member 785

When I took the woodgrain off mine there was a large hole, I belive it would have been for a rear window defogger switch. Not a problem though. I mounted my torgue converter control there and covered it nicely.

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Elcaminos are special!

I'd rather walk around with a Chevrolet hubcap in my hand than drive a Ford


work in progress
Big James Elky(AKA Ol Paint) (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/Big%20James4XL-Ol%20Paint1.jpg)
another shot of Ol Paint (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/Big%20James4XL-Ol%20Paint2.jpg)

Yes. When you take the monte cover off the vinyl grain like the SS dash is there.