1975 280C dash components and interior components
 

Hello, I am looking for dash components for a 1975 280C. The main part that I am looking for is the center dash grill cover. Also I know there are dash repair kits but is it possible to buy a new dash? Only the top portion of the dash is cracked and I would like to replace it, it isnt really bad so I probably wouldn't go to the trouble of doing a dash topper kit, because I dont think I would be gaining a lot. I cant find any dash components at the usual sources and I think a salvage yard would be out of the question since the dashes are usually cracked.

Also, is it possible to replace just a headrest? The passenger side rest is cracked and crumbling but otherwise the interior is good. The color is tobacco.

Thank you friends. :)

You can buy dash caps or remove the dash and have it re-covered at an upholstery shop. Both will not look original but can look tidy.

If you want the OE look, then it's either the dealer or a company called Dashboard Restorations, but both can be expensive.

For the speaker cover, A buddy of mine made a cover from felt material that looked a lot like speaker material and it looked very tidy. But again, not OE.

Thanks. Here is your stupid question of the day: Is that a speaker cover? I can't really tell because mine is so broken up and covered with debri and my stereo has never worked (at least it is a Becker). In that case maybe I could just find a new speaker that size (could be a tall order) with a new grate.

As far as the dash I am striving for an as original as possible look. But money talks so I might have to settle for something else.

Yep, it's a central speaker. If you don't use it. Drop a dash cap on it. For the most part, close to original until you touch it.

I strip the old rotted plastic off the speaker grills. Clean it down to bare metal and spray it Semi-flat black. I stretch black sun screen material over it, glue the material on the underside and it looks decent. I've got some pics of the last one I did somewhere. I'll post them when I find them. Again, not OEM but much nicer than the warped plastic.

Early w114/W115 dashes have a smaller speaker cover that is made out of nice, durable plastic.

I've never seen a perfect late dash speaker cover.

I've got a couple of perfect early dashboards for my 250C, but I've had a dash cover on the installed one, and it looks pretty nice, so I've been reluctant to tackle the dash replacement job right now.

The cover, if installed correctly, is very hard to identify over the stock appearance. Biggest giveaway is that the speaker cover is not present and there are a series of holes in the overlay for the sound to emanate from at the former cover location.

If you're perfectionist, the graining on the dash changed in 1973.

Unless your car is a mint original and perfect in every way but this, save yourself a grand and buy a cover.

Jim

Thanks Mike and Jim. When you get a chnace Mike, I would like to see a picture of that, it sounds like that could work ( and could be replaced if I ever did come across a nice shape original). You know what the Arizona sun can do, it just turned the original in my car to crumbles, literally to the point that I could not identify it as a speaker grate. Oddly, the dash is not in horrible shape so the grate matrial must be a much more inferior quality material.

Jim, I dont have an extra grand to put into this car (and if I did there is a list of other things that I would do first) so I am thinking I will go with a dash topper. Do you have a brand you recommend and any tips for installation? :)

I agree, since they look like this...typically the vinyl shrinks/warps and looks funky over the years.
http://www.navonadesigns.com/mercedes/DSC00040.jpg
I made the mistake of buying a replacement speaker cover only to realize after the fact that it was for the earlier/smaller speaker hole...whoops.