57 Dash Pad

[TOM WRIGHT]

Can anyone tell me where I might be able to fine a new dash pad for my 57 bird? Casco has been on back order for far to long and they do not know when they are comming in. I am interested in a HIGH quality reproduction or a NOS.
Thank you.

 

[rich morrill]

Have you tried Larrys Thunderbird their number os 800-854-0393

 

[Brian]

I was wondering how nomadbird made out with his dash pad, which he installed a year ago. He never posted back to the forum.

I was under impression Larry's had them, I was almost ready to order.

Thunderbird Center in Michigan shows in their catalog:
800-562-1955

 

[nomadbird]

Brian,
I believe it was the other Tom whose screen name is Ts&As (Tom R in new Jersey) who had the recent experience with the dash pad installation. I faded out of the last dash pad thread in January of this year. My wife died on Jan. 18, and I wasn't too active on the forum since then. As I remember, there were some good deals at the time on FOMOCO pads on E-Bay. All the FOMOCO pads made during the last 1/4 century were blue. If you need another color, you'll have to dye it.
Larry's Thunderbird is probably your best bet for the repro pad. I think they supply everyone else.
Tom D. (In California)

 

[Brian]

You are so right Tom D., got my wires crossed.

Sorry for your loss.

Glad to see you could make it back to the forum. Comments have been sparse lately.

 

[TOM WRIGHT]

Larry's

I ordered a dash pad from Larry's yeserday.
I will post when the job is done and advise the fit and finish of the product.
Thanks to all for your input.

 

[Brian]

That's good news. I'll be next after you report.

I've got my dash painted and on a stand, ready to install the pad; just have a few other priorities.

Have to start buying other things too, like wire harness, etc.

And I've yet to redo my gauges.

 

[TOM WRIGHT]

The dash pad arrived and was installed with no problems. I would recomend that you place the dash and or pad in the sun to warm it up. This eases stretching of the pad over the dash.
The Larry's pad differs from the original at the corners. The original was thicker and more form fitting than the Larrys pad. The Larry pad has an air space in the corner between the dash and pad. When installed it looks fine. I am the only one who will know the difference.
I used contact cement on the edges of the pad to make sure the pad stayed in place durring final installation.
I think several dry fittings are a must, to make sure you are comfortable with the fit of the pad before any trimming is performed.
Just my 2 cents.

 

[nomadbird]

That's great news Tom. Sounds like the installation was less traumatic than what we had with the old FOMOCO pads. Perhaps you would like to call Brent Money and give him some feed back on your experience with the pad installation. Brent is the owner of Larry's Thunderbird and I believe he is the sole supplier of the pads. Brent is also one of the finest Interior judges in CTCI concours. (I think he is the best, at least in my experience) He is also one of the finest gentlemen in T-Birding.

Tom D.

 

[Brian]

Thnaks for the update - will be ordering mine soon - I hope!