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  • Packard padded dash

    Our 1958 Packard is a marvelous old survivor. The padded dash is all saggy. Anyone have any ideas on how to make it all firm and perky again???

  • #2
    I had a 56 Packard Clipper with a padded dash the person I sold the car redid the Dash cost 23300.00
    Joseph Kastellec

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    • #3
      Just Dashes in California gave me quote on my 1957 Packard a few years ago of $2000.
      It would entail the removal and stripping of the dash. Then the cost of shipping to California and back.
      I decided to live with my dash for the time being.
      sigpic1957 Packard Clipper Country Sedan

      "There's nothing stronger than the heart of a volunteer"
      Lt. Col. Jimmy Doolittle
      "I have a great memory for forgetting things" Number 1 son, Lee Chan

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      • #4
        I sure hope there's a misplaced decimal point.
        Originally posted by G T Joe View Post
        I had a 56 Packard Clipper with a padded dash the person I sold the car redid the Dash cost 23300.00
        sigpic1966 Daytona (The First One)
        1950 Champion Convertible
        1950 Champion 4Dr
        1955 President 2 Dr Hardtop
        1957 Thunderbird

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        • #5
          I had a local upholsterer do mine. A well known national upholstery guy screwed up badly trying to do it, so I went local. It cost me $400 to the national guy, but it was a lesson well learned, never again.
          Chip
          '63 Cruiser
          '57 Packard wagon
          '61 Lark Regal 4 dr wagon
          '50 Commander 4 dr sedan

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          • #6
            If viagra doesn't work, try some rigid foam, and sand it to shape, then cover it with thin landau top foam, then the new vinyl cover.
            Bez Auto Alchemy
            573-318-8948
            http://bezautoalchemy.com


            "Don't believe every internet quote" Abe Lincoln

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            • #7
              Hi Jeffry,
              My '57 Clipper wagon suffered from the same ailment. Seeing as I had the windshield out my local upholstery guy (who is doing my interior) glued several different density foams together and hand shaped the dash. He then covered it in black vinyl and french stitched the leading edge. I think it looks better than the original. I know I posted pics of it some time back but I can't seem to find them now. PM me your personal email and I'll try to flocate and send them to you.
              Bill

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              • #8
                That's exactly how mine was done Bill.
                Chip
                '63 Cruiser
                '57 Packard wagon
                '61 Lark Regal 4 dr wagon
                '50 Commander 4 dr sedan

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                • #9
                  I know Chip. It was your pics which you sent me that we used as a reference. Thanks again!!
                  Bill

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                  • #10
                    Originally posted by Buzzard View Post
                    I know Chip. It was your pics which you sent me that we used as a reference. Thanks again!!
                    Bill
                    I'd like to see how the dash came out Bill. Can you send me some pix? Maybe you already did and I forgot!
                    Chip
                    '63 Cruiser
                    '57 Packard wagon
                    '61 Lark Regal 4 dr wagon
                    '50 Commander 4 dr sedan

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Hi Chip,
                      I know I have better pics somewhere so when I find them, I'll forward to you.Click image for larger version

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                      • #12
                        Why is it that Packards, even the South Bend Packards, had that huge problem with the dash foam collapsing, but no Studebakers did. Were there other makes that suffered from dash foam rot? I'm curious to learn if the cause of the problem has ever been identified.
                        Gord Richmond, within Weasel range of the Alberta Badlands

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                        • #13
                          I think it is just part of the poor design, too thick and unsupported to survive.

                          I do not believe the '55-'56 Detroit Packards had that problem with a similar looking shape.
                          StudeRich
                          Second Generation Stude Driver,
                          Proud '54 Starliner Owner
                          SDC Member Since 1967

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                          • #14
                            I have seen Detroit Packards of those years with horribly shrunken and distorted dash pads, too.
                            Gord Richmond, within Weasel range of the Alberta Badlands

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                            • #15
                              I believe it was a result of the state of the chemistry of "plastics" of the day, and the problems continue to this day. Plastic, is a rather vague term to describe a wide variety of "composite" products. These plastic compounds have various "elastomers" chemically combined to perform certain functions. As I have been taught, nearly all (probably all) plastic materials, "out-gas" (evaporate) their elastic properties over time. As these chemicals leach out, the elastic properties of the material degrade. Not only do they lose their flexibility, but lose volume (shrink) and in doing so, warp, distort, and crack.

                              The science has evolved, with improvements in UV stabilizers, heat tolerant, and even electrically conductive plastics. But, it remains a problem. My 1987 Nissan truck, has a cracking dash pad, all the door, window, sun roof, seals have pulled loose, and distorted. My 2002 Dodge Ram has a crumbling plastic dash, and as the door seals have aged, much more wind noise than there was when new. It is simply part of the "life cycle" of anything in our environment. Even if you could re-inject the leached out chemicals, I doubt the true original molded shape would return.

                              That's why I'm wondering, with all the plastic being used in current cars, if any will survive to become future collector cars?
                              John Clary
                              Greer, SC

                              SDC member since 1975

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