| Author | Message | ||
| Skip Williamson (Darolls)
Junior Member Username: Darolls Post Number: 145 Registered: 7-2003 |
Al- Here's a write-up I did for our local FCA newsletter. I suggest you talk to Larry before ordering: Accessory Review: Dash Covers By Skip Williamson Tired of the blinding glare of your dashboard on your windshield on a sunny day? Of course you are! Now the problem is solved with the Coverking dash cover. They don't fit right you say; now that problem has been solved too! Dave Bendl and I ordered dash covers for our 308 QV's from Larry Emmons, of Emmons Coachworks, early in the season. After approximately a 2 week wait, they finally arrived. Excitedly, I drove to Larry's store to pick them up, as we didn't want to wait any longer for him to ship them to us. Within a couple of days I was at Dave's house, eager to install the new covers. We did Dave's first. To our dismay, we discovered that the center vent holes in the cover didn't come close to lining up with the center vents in the dash (this seems to have been a common problem with most dash covers for 308/328's, no matter who the manufacturer was). Dave chose to take matters into his own hands, and started to cut and snip and stretch and yank on his new cover, to try and make it fit. After many adjustments, he came reasonably close to a decent fit, although the cover didn't lay flat on the dash and had a number of wrinkles and lumps in it. I, on the other hand, would not be satisfied with this fit, so I took my cover back to Larry Emmons. We marked on the cover where the center holes should be cut, and Larry promptly sent it off to Coverking, for a new cover to be made to the specifications we provided. Finally, my new cover arrived, and the holes lined up with the vents perfectly, so I started the installation. The cover is not designed to have the center vents installed on top of it. It has welting sewn around each center hole. I wanted the vents to sit on top of the cover. I then removed the welting and trimmed the nap of the cover down to reduce the thickness. The vents snap out of the dash, and will not snap back in if you don't trim down the thickness of the cover material, where the outer edge of the vents fit over the cover. The bullnose edge of the cover is held in place with Velcro. The cover has loop tabs sewn into it, but the self-adhesive hook material will have to be on the surface of the dash if you use the loops as is. For fear that the adhesive might damage the vinyl of the dash, I didn't want the hook material to be mounted in conspicuous areas. I took additional pieces of velcro loop, and superglued them to the existing loops to add additional length. With this done, I was able to mount the self-adhesive hooks underneath the bullnose, where any damage that might be caused by the adhesive will never be seen. The cover fits so well now, that a few people have asked me if it's a factory installed option! Practically all windshield glare has been eliminated, and driving on bright, sunny days is much more enjoyable. An added benefit is that the dash cover seems to cut down on the amount of scum that collects on the inside of the windshield, from the fumes of the plasticizers in the vinyl dash,and other plastic pieces in the interior. The cover can be ordered in either Poly-Carpet or Velour material. Mine is Poly-Carpet, as the Velour is a shinier material, and would naturally produce more glare. Also, note in the photos that I had the dash cover embroidered. This is optional, but I believe it adds a very nice touch. For price, application and availability, contact Larry Emmons at Emmons Coachworks. Phone (800) 669-4929 or (630)-832-1411. | ||
| Al Johnson (Bigal)
Junior Member Username: Bigal Post Number: 174 Registered: 3-2002 |
Skip, great looking dash cover. I love the Ferrari logo. Where's you get it? | ||
| Eric Eiland (Eric308gtsiqv)
Intermediate Member Username: Eric308gtsiqv Post Number: 1019 Registered: 11-2001 |
Was thoroughly satisfied with the DashMat poly-carpet cover just like the one Gary posted for sale. It was a perfect fit. I chose not to "install" it with the velcro fasteners, but simply laid it on the dash. It stays put even while driving with the targa top on. This makes it even easier to remove while cleaning the dash, etc. BTW, before purchasing the DashMat, I purchased a velour dash cover from Italian Car Parts. Paid around $90 if I recall and it did not fit. Vent holes, etc. did not line up at all. Just wanted to forewarn you in case you decide to purchase one from them. | ||
| Gary Reed (Gary_reed)
Junior Member Username: Gary_reed Post Number: 211 Registered: 2-2002 |
Frank, I just listed a black Dash Mat that I never got around to installing on my 308. It's on eBay right now: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2437159704 I'm selling my 308 and someone just put a deposit on it today! Time to buy new toy soon! Maybe a 512 Boxer... | ||
| George LaFleur (308geo)
Junior Member Username: 308geo Post Number: 87 Registered: 12-2002 |
>>>Then I discovered polarized sun glasses - a BIG TIME improvement<<< I second this idea! These amost eliminate the galre entirely! I keep a pair in the 308 ONLY for driving the 308. | ||
| Skip Williamson (Darolls)
Junior Member Username: Darolls Post Number: 140 Registered: 7-2003 |
Hey, It looks like it worked, I'm so proud of myself! :-) Peter, thanks again. | ||
| Skip Williamson (Darolls)
Junior Member Username: Darolls Post Number: 139 Registered: 7-2003 |
Hope this works. If it does, you'll see pics. of my dash cover. Thanks Peter!   | ||
| dave handa (Davehanda)
Intermediate Member Username: Davehanda Post Number: 2013 Registered: 5-2001 |
Frank, There are not a lot of accessory catalogs for Ferraris. One company that does produce a nice one is www.italiancarparts.com The only unfortunate thing is their part prices are a total "gouge". Unfortunate, as I believe they would more than make that up in volume of sales; than the individual loss in incremental margin. But, that is a business decision they have made, and they may prefer lower volume higher margin sales. Some examples: bosch fuel injectors $65 versus $21.15 from other on-line sources. Injector o-rings $4.50 versus .31 cents elsewhere. I wish I could justify doing business with them, as they are local here in the Northwest... | ||
| Frank Wiedmann (Frankieferrari)
Member Username: Frankieferrari Post Number: 507 Registered: 8-2003 |
Skip. That must be where I remember seeing a dash pad. On your car. Thanks,I'll check yours out the next time that I see you. LOL about the "computer illiterate". Me too. My 6 year old whizzes along on this thing,but,since I used up WAYYYY TOOO MANY brain cells,in my youth,(wink,wink) I didn't plan ahead and,"save some for later". there were some pretty rough years back then,with the motorcycle,and the partying and all....So,I gotta be an old dog and learn some new tricks! I was telling my kids that they didnt have home computers and video games when I was a kid. Well,"Pong" came out when I was already in my late teens,and was already doing ALOT better things than sitting around playing video games!  So,I guess it's time to play "catch up".And got to learn how to post pix,too. | ||
| '75 308 GT4 (Peter)
Advanced Member Username: Peter Post Number: 3161 Registered: 12-2000 |
Skip, if your pictures are in ".jpg" or ".gif" format, they can be posted here by simply typing: \image {the name of the picture} (no space inbetween the image and {... I have to do that here, otherwise I'll get an upload image prompt) That, Or hit the "Upload Attachment" button next to the "Preview/Post Message" button below... | ||
| Paul Brennan (Turboqv)
Junior Member Username: Turboqv Post Number: 136 Registered: 3-2003 |
pep boys | ||
| Skip Williamson (Darolls)
Junior Member Username: Darolls Post Number: 136 Registered: 7-2003 |
Frank- Since I'm computer illiterate, I can't figure out how to post pics. to 'Chat'. Send me your email address and I'll send you some pics. of mine. | ||
| Crawford White (Crawford)
Junior Member Username: Crawford Post Number: 192 Registered: 3-2003 |
I used to keep a black towel in the car just so I could throw it on top of the dash to reduce sun glare... Then I discovered polarized sun glasses - a BIG TIME improvement. A dash cover may reduce the heat in the car, though. That black vinyl can get really toasty in direct sunlight. | ||
| Frank Wiedmann (Frankieferrari)
Member Username: Frankieferrari Post Number: 500 Registered: 8-2003 |
Yeah,I have a couple different sets of RayBans,but,there's like a "white shine" into the glass,reflecting off the top of the pod. I really buff that area out alot.And,keep both sides of the windshield very clean and shiny. So,between all of that... Plus,want to protect the dash from the sun when the car is out. Thanks,I'll give them a try. And,Thanks ,too,Phillip. I forgot about checking in my California car cover catalog. | ||
| Mike Charness (Mcharness)
Intermediate Member Username: Mcharness Post Number: 1098 Registered: 8-2002 |
www.dashmat.com is where I got mine. Not expensive. It completely takes care of the glare off the dash pod. But as an alternative, if you use good polarized sunglasses, those work well too. | ||
| Philip Airey (Pma1010)
Member Username: Pma1010 Post Number: 476 Registered: 7-2002 |
California Car Cover has then as far as I recall. | ||
| Frank Wiedmann (Frankieferrari)
Member Username: Frankieferrari Post Number: 497 Registered: 8-2003 |
Do any of you guys know where to get a nice dash cover for 308? I want to protect mine from the sun,and,as I always keep it so polished and shiny,get a really bad glare from the top of the instrument cover area,that shines on the inside of the windshield. Sometimes,a real pain in the ass to try to see. Also,I was wondering if there are any parts and accessories catalogs for Ferrari? I also own,and have owned several 'Vettes. And,there are alot of these types of catalogs-Ecklers,MidAmerica,etc...available for them. Thanks alot for your help. I appreciate it! |