220seb W111 lower dash cover

[perry113]

I am preparing to install new lower dash covers (2 piece) purchased from Vintage Euro on my 1963 220seb.
I am curious if anyone on the forum could furnish some good reference photos of the longer cover.
Note this would be on an early 220seb or possibly a 250se with no AC .
I believe the lower panel needs to be bent.
This car did not have original cover so I have no reference.
Want to verify if it fastens under or overlaps the lower leather portions of the dash.
Any pictures or information is immensely appreciated.

[PeterPortugal]

Hi Peter,
I was in exactly the same position last year. I thought the trim was fitted into those "flaps" which can be seen in your pictures. Doing this seemed to line up the holes in the trim for other items bolted under the dash. I am not at home so I can't give you a photo - sorry. Hope this helps.
Regards
Peter

[wwheeler]

Hey Peter,

I installed those on my '68 W111 and can get some pics. The front edge does indeed slide under the tabs just below the lower dash pad in you picture. I think the firewall side screws in. But let me get some pictures and not replay on my foggy memory.

[wwheeler]

Peter, see pics of mine. The under panels should have (2) built in "L" brackets that then screw to the firewall. I already had the screw holes in the firewall that lined up perfectly with the panels I bought from World. Mine is a '68 280SE, so no telling if it was changed some. The tabs that hold the upper panel look to be in a slightly different position. Either way I hope it helps.

Wallace

[PeterPortugal]

Thanks for sharing Wallace. Mine new panel never came with the little L shaped brackets and I shall look into that. As I don't use the car yet it doesn't matter but the panel does slip down.

[wwheeler]

As I recall, the original panel that was severely warped, had very similar brackets on them. I believe they are riveted on to the cardboard.

First step would be to see if you can find the screw holes. Mark that and you can probably fashion some brackets pretty easily. I would bet a hardware store has something close.

[perry113]

Peter, see pics of mine. The under panels should have (2) built in "L" brackets that then screw to the firewall. I already had the screw holes in the firewall that lined up perfectly with the panels I bought from World. Mine is a '68 280SE, so no telling if it was changed some. The tabs that hold the upper panel look to be in a slightly different position. Either way I hope it helps.

Wallace

Hi Wallace.
Your pictures are very helpful.
Do you have the the driver's side lower dash panel installed on your car?
If so I would love pictures.
I am getting close to having time to install my lower panels.'
It's all in the details and my coupe is really looking standout.

[wwheeler]

Yes I do. I will try to get pics of that this weekend. That panel is a real wonder. Not sure how I ever figured out how it was oriented.

[perry113]

Yes I do. I will try to get pics of that this weekend. That panel is a real wonder. Not sure how I ever figured out how it was oriented.

Yes indeed the orientation is where its at.
Still a mystery

[wwheeler]

Hey Peter,

Here you go. I did the best I could as that is a difficult spot to take a picture of. The first gives you the orientation of the under dash panel. The fingers go sideways and point in the direction of the glove box. The second pic shows the fingers and how they weave over and around wires and the steering column. This piece was not in place when I bought the car, so I just had to guess how it went. It may not be factory prefect, but it works for me.

BTW, there is a metal strap that is screwed to the firewall and is just to the left of the steering column. You can see it in the first picture. That strap supports the left, rear part of the panel. Without that, not sure it would stay up and out of the way.

The last is another shot of the right panel taken from the drivers seat. You can also see my CSV push button installation mounted on the under dash panel. Installation of that switch was one of the best things I ever did for the car.

[perry113]

Hey Peter,

Here you go. I did the best I could as that is a difficult spot to take a picture of. The first gives you the orientation of the under dash panel. The fingers go sideways and point in the direction of the glove box. The second pic shows the fingers and how they weave over and around wires and the steering column. This piece was not in place when I bought the car, so I just had to guess how it went. It may not be factory prefect, but it works for me.

BTW, there is a metal strap that is screwed to the firewall and is just to the left of the steering column. You can see it in the first picture. That strap supports the left, rear part of the panel. Without that, not sure it would stay up and out of the way.

The last is another shot of the right panel taken from the drivers seat. You can also see my CSV push button installation mounted on the under dash panel. Installation of that switch was one of the best things I ever did for the car.

Wallace.
This is fantastic!
I see the orientation.
Thank you so much.
You have been so helpful.
All the Best!
Peter

[perry113]

I'm in process of test fitting passenger side.
Driver's side fits perfect.
Driver's side slides above steering column.
I believe that is how passenger side goes.
The issue is interference of cover with transmission indicator linkage on steering column.
I would to very sympathetically trim a small area of the new cover.
I don't think cover goes under column. Too much pressure on new panel in left corner.
Trying to do it correctly.
I looked at pictures of 4 cars and none provide the answer on a 220seb automatic column shift car but I actually was able to look at another 220 in person. Rough car but most of the right under dash was intact. I think the left side that goes above dash was prone to be broken off or hanging mangled because of someone previously removing cover for some type of repair.
See pictures of a picture file I am collecting for lower dash reference.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/2Y2R13QkwPCmmSfv8

[wwheeler]

Peter,

As you can see from the pic on my passenger panel, it does not extend that far to the column. I did not trim the panel, it came that way and matched my original. Maybe the 280SE is different from the 220SE, but I wouldn't think so. It makes sense to me to have it just short of the column and then the tab on the dash above can hold it perfectly. BTW, The fold down part of the panel above the trans tunnel should have be leather covered, not plain black board.

[perry113]

Wallace.
Thanks again for your much needed input.
I trimmed the corner as sympathetically as I could in order to clear the shift indicator pivot.
The lower panel is now installed.  It looks great! Very proper.

[wwheeler]

Nice job Peter!

It is hard to find a good example of these lower dash panels either because of water damage or they were never reinstalled after a service. I am trying to do the same thing on my W128 coupe and it has 5 pieces and is a real jigsaw puzzle.