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 Dashboards (wood panels) for Series Rapiers
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Mr A.the Hun

United Kingdom
65 Posts

Posted - 22 Jul 2020 :  09:30:49  Show Profile  Send Mr A.the Hun a Yahoo! Message  Reply with Quote
Hello Sunbeam Gurus. Please can someone tell me, was there ever an aftermarket Dash (the polished wooden panel) available for the appropriate series rapiers?
The reason I ask is, having just sadly 'walked away' from my first prospective purchase, and then having carefully scrutinised photos of cars for sale, there seems to be a strange difference. Most are the lovely polished walnut veneer, with carefully shaped ends. Whilst the one I viewed and one other for sale presently, seem to have a more DIY flat panel with straight flat (almost unfinished looking) ends. And a finish that looks more like hand painting. Obviously anybody could hand paint an original panel in an attempt to smarten it up, but it's the ends that are more of a concern.
Thanks to anyone who can offer advice. I have posted another question separately about front wings.

Edited by - Mr A.the Hun on 22 Jul 2020 09:49:28

JPSH120

United Kingdom
1168 Posts

Posted - 22 Jul 2020 :  13:38:04  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Hello and welcome to the forum.

I'm afraid I can't really help you with your questions as I am a fastback owner. You may also have a bit of a long wait for answers as not so many series rapier owners frequent the forum.

Have you joined the owners club? You will then have access to various resources and expertise. There will be people who you can be connected with who can help you.

Regarding your wing question, maybe some googling of images will help to answer your question?

Best of luck!
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Mr A.the Hun

United Kingdom
65 Posts

Posted - 22 Jul 2020 :  18:14:09  Show Profile  Send Mr A.the Hun a Yahoo! Message  Reply with Quote
Thank you, I am a member of the club yes. It was Googling that confused me in the first place!
Thanks anyway.
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Mr A.the Hun

United Kingdom
65 Posts

Posted - 22 Jul 2020 :  18:16:36  Show Profile  Send Mr A.the Hun a Yahoo! Message  Reply with Quote
Also if the Series owners do not use this Forum much, where is any expertise accessible please?
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828CC

United Kingdom
55 Posts

Posted - 23 Jul 2020 :  09:41:09  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
I can't/won't claim to be an expert, just a fellow enthusiast and former Series V owner..
I believe the veneer used on these cars is/was very thin and possibly quite fragile given the pattern. The lacquer is prone to splitting and lifting if left unattended and would guess in some cases the veneer would lift locally with the lacquer too...
All of which would leave an unsightly mess unless totally stripped, new veneer applied and lacquered and polished.
I expect you've come across DIY attempts at reclamation, there are specialist firms out there, 'you pays yer money..' etc..
Have fun searching..
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Mr A.the Hun

United Kingdom
65 Posts

Posted - 24 Jul 2020 :  22:44:27  Show Profile  Send Mr A.the Hun a Yahoo! Message  Reply with Quote
Thank you, I can certainly see that being the case, although in some cases the lack of shaping on the ends seems a bit dodgy. Thank you again. I hope to enjoy the search and am trying not to be put off by my first viewing.

Edited by - Mr A.the Hun on 24 Jul 2020 23:22:45
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JPSH120

United Kingdom
1168 Posts

Posted - 25 Jul 2020 :  17:32:12  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
To get some more expert advice, you should contact Derek Athey. He is the series registrar, contact details on the committee page of this website.
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Mr A.the Hun

United Kingdom
65 Posts

Posted - 25 Jul 2020 :  19:45:23  Show Profile  Send Mr A.the Hun a Yahoo! Message  Reply with Quote
Ahh, thank you.
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828CC

United Kingdom
55 Posts

Posted - 29 Jul 2020 :  14:18:27  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
You might have seen these on ebay... But handy to know they're out there (NO connection!)
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Classic-Car-Wood-repair/203061369914?hash=item2f47669c3a:g:y7kAAOSw1~tdlGho
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rapier123

United Kingdom
17 Posts

Posted - 30 Jul 2020 :  08:42:29  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Sounds like a home made dash, but as others have stated you could quite easily have it refurbished back to original spec, probably wouldn't cost to much, as it's not a very complex dash.
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Mr A.the Hun

United Kingdom
65 Posts

Posted - 17 Aug 2020 :  09:08:04  Show Profile  Send Mr A.the Hun a Yahoo! Message  Reply with Quote
Thank you, much appreciated.
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