RE: [Chrysler300] '58 dash pad replacement question -

Ray/Keith

My mistake for putting words in Keith's mouth on Just Dashes. My first choice was the Swedes, but 15 years or so ago when i tried to buy a pad from them, but were out of stock and/or had halted manufacturing (obviously temporarily).

I will stand behind my experience with Just Dashes but maybe i got them on a good day. I sent a sample they matched for color and was satisfied with the fit and result. Just an option if someone is having issues obtaining one from RD Autoline.

Greg Weaver

-----Original Message-----
From: Ray Melton <rfmelton@xxxxxxx>
To: gwmicrocap@xxxxxxx; Chrysler300-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <Chrysler300-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>; chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Wed, Jul 15, 2020 1:10 pm
Subject: Re: [Chrysler300] ?58 dash pad replacement question -

I re-read Keith Boonstra's comment and he said, "BTW, I have not heard good results re dash pads from Just Dashes, but I (on my '57) and many others have been very pleased with the pads from RD Autoline." My personal experience with Just Dashes (30 years ago, before internet and easy text and phone connection) for a 1967 Porsche 911 was MISERABLE; it was warped (twisted) and an inch too short. I sent it back with a detailed sketch of measurements and they grafted in an extension to the fiberglass base, but the graft was so bulky and misplaced that a couple of the fasteners would no longer align. I gave up and had the old dash locally repadded and covered in leather - it actually looked good as new, fit like original and cost a little less than the useless Just Dashes item, which I discarded! Wasted $350 for the dash + double shipping + weeks of delay and frustration. Never again for me!

On the other hand, like several others, I was really thrilled with the dash from RD Autoline for my '57 300C convertible; sent the $770 to Sweden and it arrived in barely three weeks, still looks great six years later and fit well (although the installer cussed for 8 hours straight about how hard it was to get to all the dash mounting points while upside down under the poorly lit dash! Thankfully, did NOT have to remove the windshield.

Ray Melton

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On 7/15/2020 8:11 AM, gwmicrocap@xxxxxxx [Chrysler300] wrote:

Noel,

I'll add to the consensus you can do it with windshield installed. I did it myself on my '58 Windsor with the windshield in. Wasn't too difficult.

Pad was from Just Dashes and I'll echo Keith's comment that their product has good fitment and looks good (and has held up fine over last 10+ years) in case anyone looking to buy a pad.

Greg Weaver

-----Original Message-----
From: Noel Hastalis cpaviper@xxxxxxxxxxx [Chrysler300] <Chrysler300-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: Chrysler300ClubInternational <chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Tue, Jul 14, 2020 9:49 am
Subject: [Chrysler300] ?58 dash pad replacement question -

Went to a large local cruise-in last night, where coincidentally the F took Participants? Best of Show.
More importantly, I met a new friend who?s just about finished restoring his ?58 NYer coupe - stunning white over Aztec Turquoise, with its beautiful greenish interior. He bought this car in 1980, at age 25, and put it into storage, where it sat until 2013. He?s ordered a new dash pad from RD Autoline in Sweden, that?s due to arrive next month. A friend of his sent him a photo of my F at another cruise last week, and again last night, so he came over just to see the F.
Question - can he replace the dash pad without removing the windshield? He said the original windshield is pristine, and doesn?t want to remove it, if possible.
We will be staying in touch with each other.

Noel Hastalis

Sent from my iPhone