Board logo

Saab Sonnet Dashboard Advice
paulbeyer - 24/7/12 at 09:50 PM

I have a friend that is restoring a LHD Saab Sonnet that he would like to convert to RHD. The only real sticking point is the dashboard which seems to be moulded out of some sort of plastic material.
How difficult would it be to make a mirror image GRP dash?







mookaloid - 24/7/12 at 10:39 PM

seems a shame to chop a car like that about but if he has to then:

make plywood former cover with cloth then impregnate with resin followed by lots of work with filler and then covering with vinyl like they do on those custom car shows on sky.


theconrodkid - 25/7/12 at 07:20 AM

as mookaloid says,nowt wrong with left hookers,ive had a few and no real probs apart from the insurance hike


pewe - 25/7/12 at 08:14 AM

As above ^^ why would he want to do that?
Any DIY conversion is going to be exactly that and unless very skilled likely to look a real dog's dinner.
Even the right hooker conversions of Integrales looked cobbled together and were technically compromised.
Cheers, Pewe10


Chippy - 25/7/12 at 04:12 PM

To produce something that would look in anyway similar to what is already there would be a VERY major undertaking, and would require a buck making to very exact dimensions, then take a mould, which in itself would need to be in several parts, to allow for getting the final product out. Definately not a task for an amature, I have done loads of GRP moulding and I wouldn't even attempt it. Just IMHO. Ray


paulbeyer - 25/7/12 at 10:30 PM

Thanks for the replies lads. I agree with the overwhelming feeling that it should be left as a left hooker.
My mate is no fool when it comes to Saabs infact he is a Saab specialist that has undertaken some very high quality restorations. The Sonnet is his personal project and I reckon he is looking to do a one off showcase.
I'll tell him not to be so daft.