So I tried to pull off the rearview mirror but just didn't have the guts to go all the way...scared of yanking the wood off with it. Is there an easy way to do this? Also, the dash bow wood, is it just pinned down by the 2 screws under the speaker grill?


Also, the car pulls severely to the left side, especially during braking. Anything else besides an alignment issue?

Ok Guys, Just took apart the dash and all the wood inside the car. Re-veneering the wood is out of the question now because it would be too hard to bond the veneer perfectly around the curves and bows of the wood. By the way, contact cement is horrible for this type of veneer job. I didn't want to try glue because the veneer doesn't stay, the original would be close to ruined. Talked to my woodworker, he said he can set the primer color close to the stain, spray the areas where the original veneer has been sanded through (not by me) and then stain it and seal it. Hope it comes out well.


So as I hold the slightly cracked, definitely dry vinyl dash in my hand. Can't but help but think to myself"new color? What do you guys think?

AND...look what the owner did to the radio void by adding an 8track? Now I just have to find a bigger becker.

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Looks like I just figured out how to post pictures....

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You're footing the bill so you should use the dash pad color that YOU like .

If you go to upholstery supply places and tell thhem you're working on a boat , the materiel they sell you will have less colors but vastly better UV protestion ~ I did one of my oldies in Brick Red seats 15 years ago and they still look AS NEW .

I mentioned elsewhere I found a 1967 250S European with stick shsft for cheap , not as clean is your car but has the Euro headlights & bumpers , a sweet old W-108 indeed .

__________________
-Nate
1982 240D 408,XXX miles
Ignorance is the mother of suspicion and fear is the father

I did then what I knew how to do ~ now that I know better I do better

where did you find the 250s? (i'm in sunny southern cal too)

(this is not a thread hijack - more of a brief interruption?)

__________________
"The law, in its majestic equality, forbids the rich as well as the poor to sleep under bridges, to beg in the streets, and to steal bread."

It's @ Alpine Auto Body on Tuxford and.....?Bradly? in Sun Valley .

complete with Euro headlights and etc. .

Not cherry but would make a good driver or rebuilder , there's scads of these around L.A., but very few with the four speed floor shift manual tranny....

__________________
-Nate
1982 240D 408,XXX miles
Ignorance is the mother of suspicion and fear is the father

I did then what I knew how to do ~ now that I know better I do better

By Euro bubpers you mean the rear? Are there differences in bumpers for the front too?

I'm not sharp on W-108 Chassis cars but yes , they looked different to me .

__________________
-Nate
1982 240D 408,XXX miles
Ignorance is the mother of suspicion and fear is the father

I did then what I knew how to do ~ now that I know better I do better

As far as the smoking..just chage the oil to Castroil 20-50 synthetic ive it a couple of weeks and that should do the trick...if you are in a cold state you may need to go with a different weight

So I got pretty much all the interior pieces, vinyl, wood, carpet, etc. out of the car. I found an experience upholstery guy here in town with 30 years in the biz, hole in the wall shop. He is re-wrapping all the vinyl pieces and cutting a carpet kit to match, adding new pieces under the rear seats, carpeting the entry threshholds to replace the vinyl runners. Re doing the windlace(s) all around. All for an amazingly low (cash) price of.........$650. Not too shabby.

Where is this shop ? my Diesel Coupe needs new seats all 'round and I'm ready to pop for it .

TIA ,

__________________
-Nate
1982 240D 408,XXX miles
Ignorance is the mother of suspicion and fear is the father

I did then what I knew how to do ~ now that I know better I do better

If here in San Jose, California. Antonio's Upholstery on S. 23rd st. Im taking a chance on cut pile carpet, not loop. But will have the binding (piping) same and the dash vinyl. Fingers crossed.

You'll like the cut pile better as it doesn't hold the dirt so much and is far easier to keep clean....

I know the German Square Weave loop typ carpet is really pretty but ....

__________________
-Nate
1982 240D 408,XXX miles
Ignorance is the mother of suspicion and fear is the father

I did then what I knew how to do ~ now that I know better I do better

Game time decision. Decided to not have a new carpet kit made but instead convert to more of a newer look. Will have the cut pile flooring laid out as a few large piece, then 4 custom mats created with the same carpet, piped with the dash vinyl. I think it will look for luxurious. Will post before and after pics.

Also decided to patch the worn out thick cardboard panels that exist as between the under-dash and floor, and left right kick panels. Doing this by using thin wood pieces in the back along with some glue and then covering the front with the same dash vinyl.