The Definitive Guide: Installing a 100% Correct Avanti N.O.S. Dash Pad
Summary:
Replacing a dashboard can be one of the most intimidating tasks in an Avanti restoration, but with the right parts and instructions, it is a rewarding DIY project. Avanti specialist Dan Booth pulls back the curtain on the multi-year journey to restore original 1962 Studebaker factory tooling to create the world’s only blueprint-correct N.O.S. dash pads.
In this comprehensive guide, Dan breaks down the installation process into 24 manageable steps. Learn the professional secrets to achieving a "fits like a glove" result, including critical glue adhesion tests, proper retainer clip adjustment, and the precise sequence for stretching vinyl to eliminate wrinkles. Whether you are working on an original 1963 Studebaker or a later 1985 Avanti II, this article provides the technical clarity needed to ensure your gauge overlays and glove box doors align perfectly with factory precision.
Key Restoration Insights:
The Adhesion Test: How to verify your contact cement before committing to the install.
Precision Alignment: Why filing mounting holes and adjusting "floating" clips is the secret to a stress-free fit.
The Glove Box Mystery: Step-by-step instructions for managing the 3/8-inch gap and eliminating door drag.
Year-Specific Details: Crucial differences for 1971–1985 models regarding steering column ignition switches.