Parts Catalog Accessories Catalog How To Articles Tech Forums
Call Pelican Parts at 888-280-7799
Shopping Cart Cart | Project List | Order Status | Help



Go Back   PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum > Mercedes-Benz Tech Information and Support > Vintage Mercedes Forum

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 09-14-2011, 11:00 AM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Arizona
Posts: 36
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.

Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 09-14-2011, 04:25 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Dallas, TX
Posts: 5,134
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.
__________________
With best regards

Al
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 09-14-2011, 05:10 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Arizona
Posts: 36
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.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 09-14-2011, 06:22 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Dallas, TX
Posts: 5,134
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.
__________________
With best regards

Al
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 09-14-2011, 09:23 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Tucson, AZ
Posts: 5,358
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.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 09-15-2011, 06:42 AM
JimFreeh's Avatar
Benz addict
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Hampton Roads, Virginia
Posts: 3,366
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
__________________
14 E250 BlueTEC black. 45k miles
95 E320 Cabriolet Emerald green 66k miles
94 E320 Cabriolet Emerald green 152k miles
85 300TD 4 spd man, euro bumpers and lights, 15" Pentas dark blue 274k miles
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 09-15-2011, 09:43 AM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Arizona
Posts: 36
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?
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 09-15-2011, 10:30 AM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: NoVA
Posts: 466
Quote:
Originally Posted by JimFreeh View Post
I've never seen a perfect late dash speaker cover.
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.

__________________
Nathan
'74 280C - gone to a new home for the finishing it deserves.
'64 356SC
'74 914 2.0
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 11:28 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2024 Pelican Parts, LLC - Posts may be archived for display on the Peach Parts or Pelican Parts Website -    DMCA Registered Agent Contact Page