Did someone mention dash wood...?

[waqas]

From this listing: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1960-Mercedes-Benz-Unique-Custom-Fin-Tail-Heckflosse_W0QQitemZ120305191999QQihZ002QQcategoryZ6315QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Slideshow: http://picasaweb.google.com/GuntherHOtero/GUNBENZCUSTOM#slideshow

wow...

[JamesL]

No airbags, then?

[Paddy_Crow]

While the skill of the woodworker is impressive, the only word I can come up with to describe the result is... GAUDY!

[scoot]

Don't like it.  I particularly don't like the theme of the interior contrasted with the wheels.  Make up your mind....

[Cees Klumper]

He probably used a vacuum press: the dash is inserted in a heavy-gauge plastic bag, with the veneer in place, and a pump takes out the air, creating significant pressure for the veneer to set onto the dash (using contact cement). This way, the curvature shape of the dash is matched by the very thin veneer. Afterwards, coats of lacquer that make the veneer take on the appearance of solid wood. So, James, I guess there was an airbag in the equation for some time at least!

It does look awful in my personal opinion ...

[mdsalemi]

While this is a bit of a [garish] representation of the woodworker's art, keep in mind that the stock dashboard for certain MB cars of the era (probably this one and others) is all wood, and presents an all-wood appearance as well.  I saw one at Dan Caron's at the Meeting of the Clans, and also saw at PUB a NOS all wood dash for a RHD car of the era on a shelf at Paul Hackman's warehouse.

Our dash wood, [like it or not] is simply a throwback to this era, and had really questionable presence being on a car of the mid-1960's (when it had been gone from most others); and certainly had no business being on a car made as late as 1971.

Just another reason why we love these cars so much.

[thelews]

What MB did was tasteful.  What this other person did is flat out awful and tasteless.

[Paddy_Crow]

It just occurred to me, the car appears to not have a speedometer.

[Paddy_Crow]

OK, I see it in the center. Nevermind...