Can any one give me an estimate of what an SS dash would cost, this includes the original style guages?
Thanks, Zach.

What year Zach? If you are talking 70-72, everything you need is available as reproduction.
*EDIT* My first estimate was way off. I added up everything at Ground Up and came up $1900. That is with everything new. You can probably find used parts for less. The pricing seems to flucuate on used stuff.

check ebay for gauge clusters, as well as complete dash assemblies. Remember that when you buy a repo dash and then a complete gauge cluster off ebay (like I did), you still need a glove box door, ash tray and steering column cover (seems like not much, but add up the prices in a catalog, over $100). I would stay away from buying everything separately from a catalog, it would cost way too much and there are always better deals on ebay. Here is a complete dash that could look pretty good with some work

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=4551073711&category=34206

If you want my hindsight experience. Look into a Covan's dash conversion kit. When I got the SS dash stuff I was thinking I wanted to keep things looking original. Now that I am not concerned with that anymore I really wish I had got one of the sweep dash conversion kits. Although I must say the 1970-72 conversion kits are the most boring looking of all of there kits, it still is a great way to get the advantage of a complete set of autometer gauges and have them mounted in a really clean way. And the complete conversion kit with gauges cost considerably less then it does to put together an SS dash (unless you get lucky and get one for really cheap).

worth a second though...

Hope that helps!
Brad

Thanks for the help, I forgot to mention it's a 70 Chevelle.

IMHO ... just keep your Malibu a Malibu. Waaaaayyyyyyyy too many clones out there (and most are not even done correctly). Be proud of how your car is, nothing wrong with a hot restored 70 malibu. One day Malibu's are going to be rare because there will be so many "SS" cars out there....

But if you wanted to do the dash (repop) you are going to be around the $2K range, unless you are skilled at reconditioning original parts. Of course there is tons more than just the dash that makes it an SS.

If you REALLY want an SS, then sell your car and buy one (w/build sheet). You will spend tons of cha-ching to make an exact clone.

IMHO ... just keep your Malibu a Malibu. Waaaaayyyyyyyy too many clones out there (and most are not even done correctly). Be proud of how your car is, nothing wrong with a hot restored 70 malibu. One day Malibu's are going to be rare because there will be so many "SS" cars out there....


I couldn't agree with you more. All I want is the dash, I'm not out to make a clone like everyone else.

get a dash out of a monte carlo, that's what I did looks like the SS dash but not the SS price. I did fill the holes with black epoxy, not perfect but alot cheaper. Jim

isn't that dash on the post above for a 72? and the wireing is a little different for a 70 isn't it? Jim

I just picked out the first thing that popped up. It isn't even in very good condition, I was just showing that they have them on ebay. As far as wiring, I had to do quite a bit of rewiring to make mire work and it was from a 70 anyways. Sure wish I had just gotten a covans classic kit in the first place............................................. .....


Brad

If I did decide to use a Monte Carlo dash, would it be hard to wire and how big are the holes in them?

Im not good a wiring so I spent the $375 for a new wiring harness for my 70 SS (my old one was trashed). You can also find the original wiring harness for the SS (full guage package) on ebay for not too much money .. might need to rework some of the wires. I agree with Brad, there are always dashes on ebay. With the help of your friends here at the tech line I'm sure you could get some great tips on how to recondition yourself. If you dont care about radio holes chopped up you can get one pretty cheap.

Good luck.

Dave

P.S. -- Glad to hear another clone wont come to life .. :)

Sorry that all us "clones" are so looked down upon. Birddog and Zach, maybe we can't all afford the real thing, and I don't have to worry about blowing the matching numbers L-78 or LS-6 in my $30+K Chevelle. I bought my car already somewhat cloned, and I also like the look of the SS better. Don't write stuff that is just going to **** people off. Go back and read what you wrote, because you appear to be taking a jab at anyone on here with a clone. Hey, they are all Chevelles, so why bash? How does a question about the price of a dash turn into a clone-bashing fest? If you tell people it's a Malibu, it's one thing, but if you try to pass it off as the real thing, then I agree about the whole clone thing. That isn't cloning, it is basicallymisleading somebody.

If I was looking to make this switch, I'd talk to this guy (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=4551316031&category=34206&sspagename=WDVW).

All of the reproduction dashes I've seen are not plated, the silver is painted. Does anyone know of some repro dashes that are chrome plated? Or any place that can chrome plate plastic (the closer to Houston the better)?

Sorry that all us "clones" are so looked down upon. Birddog and Zach, maybe we can't all afford the real thing, and I don't have to worry about blowing the matching numbers L-78 or LS-6 in my $30+K Chevelle. I bought my car already somewhat cloned, and I also like the look of the SS better. Don't write stuff that is just going to **** people off. Go back and read what you wrote, because you appear to be taking a jab at anyone on here with a clone. Hey, they are all Chevelles, so why bash? How does a question about the price of a dash turn into a clone-bashing fest? If you tell people it's a Malibu, it's one thing, but if you try to pass it off as the real thing, then I agree about the whole clone thing. That isn't cloning, it is basicallymisleading somebody.

In no way I'm I bashing clones, I like the way they look too. I can't afford the real deal anyway, even if I could I wouldn't buy one. I don't care about numbers matching or being original. I didn't mean to make it sound like I hate all cloned Chevelles, Ionly the ones that are trying to be passed off as a SS.

Zach, I have a monte carlo dash from a 70 with the green lettering, if interested send me an email

Thanks for making the whole clone thing a little more clear. I appreciate it, as I get a little tired of people with their problems with Clones.

Thanks for making the whole clone thing a little more clear. I appreciate it, as I get a little tired of people with their problems with Clones.
I know how it is, I've heard, "Oh, it's not a big block?" 1,000 times.

Monte dash here,had to make own harness,not the same as sweep.$100 for complete dash(not pad).Removed the metal"wood" from the cluster and all markings were underneath.If you grab one from a Monte get the harness also,would've been much easier.

getiing back to the holes in the monte dash they are like 3/16 to a 1/4 inch I think theres like 5 of them really doesn't look too bad the only one thats funny is the one by the wiper switch, I got a few tips on how to fix it up, look up some of my old posts in the interior thread, there is a cool photo of painting the monte cover, and nobody can say your trying to clone a SS, I was furtunate to pick up the harness from the 71 monte carlo and it's a plug and play in my 70, only thing
ve got white gauges and a green radio cause it's a 70 radio Jim

All of the reproduction dashes I've seen are not plated, the silver is painted. Does anyone know of some repro dashes that are chrome plated? Or any place that can chrome plate plastic (the closer to Houston the better)?

Only place I've heard of is Just Dashes (http://justdashes.com). Prepare to spend some big money to get it done right.

I'd like to clarify also .. I was referring to those people who pass their car off as a true SS when they know its not. My friend purchased what he thought (and was told) was a 70 SS from a muscle car dealer in Oklahoma. Nice car and he paid $30K for it. Upon deeper research after he got the car it turns out to be a clone. Yes his bad for not digging deep enough on the car but the dealer knew what he had and was just trying to pray on him. We called the dealer and he said "oh really its a clone, oh well have fun with the car though". I feel real bad for my buddie and those other people who get shafted.

My other point in my post was that if he really wanted to "clone" the car out completely it would cost him big dollars and he might as well just buy an SS ... in the end run it would cost about the same.

Personnally I think any car that's either restored to original or a hot rod is a nice car (SS or Malibu).

Thanks for bringing the tone of my post to my attention -- that was not my intent.

I'll second the covan's recommendation, I have one for the sweep dash and it looks pretty sharp. I don't have mine mounted in the car yet but it will be if I ever get some free time.

Hey Clark, Did you get the smooth black one? What did you think of the quality? I heard you must reinforce the Covans or it's too flimsy.
Did you get the blank and do it yourself or get the complete one? I'd like to get one but I hate trial and error at that price.

I too hace a f-----ing clone. And you know what,,I ownwd both and for the money and pure enjoyment of adding what I want, I agree...... Stay away from clone bashing... Whjen I grow up,I want to be,,,ME

Philbay -- if you read the complete posts above that was not the intent of the posts. It was geared at those who sell a clone as an SS when they know its not. Too many people have been tricked.