Precat Black Acrylic Lower Panel and other stuff
Discussion
After some enquiries via the Facebook Griffith forum I am embarking on a project to develop a new black effect lower panel for the precat Griff’s. Like my re-engineered dashboard I will be designing a better product, higher quality and improved graphic symbols and LED illumination. The concept design stage is complete and I’m pleased with the concept I’ve come up with. Need to create the window symbol and led mountings and its all go for a prototype run! I’m hoping there is some interest in them as I will offer them as additional items with new dashboards or separately.
Another potential is possibly recreating the lower panel control pcb used on the 500’s. They are getting old and brittle now and I feel there could be interest?
I’ve recently acquired a mint spare steering column to build up an EPAS unit for my Griff. I’ve found a great supplier of units for motorsport (DCE in Maldon). There EPAS 200 kit well suits the Griff, so I have been in contact and will buy one. Will need to design and have made some mounting flanges etc but an interesting project!
That’s all for now, enjoy your Griff’s where possible!
Pete
Another potential is possibly recreating the lower panel control pcb used on the 500’s. They are getting old and brittle now and I feel there could be interest?
I’ve recently acquired a mint spare steering column to build up an EPAS unit for my Griff. I’ve found a great supplier of units for motorsport (DCE in Maldon). There EPAS 200 kit well suits the Griff, so I have been in contact and will buy one. Will need to design and have made some mounting flanges etc but an interesting project!
That’s all for now, enjoy your Griff’s where possible!
Pete
Pete,
I am quite happy with the black plastic panel and indeed it is a "feature" of a pre-cat and as my car is very original, I would like to keep it looking original.
That said, I agree the illumination is shocking on the plastic panel and therefore would be interested in assessing yours when it is ready.
I am quite happy with the black plastic panel and indeed it is a "feature" of a pre-cat and as my car is very original, I would like to keep it looking original.
That said, I agree the illumination is shocking on the plastic panel and therefore would be interested in assessing yours when it is ready.
Hi Duncan, that's great as I wanted a volunteer to assess the prototype when ready. My intention is to utilise hi intensity LED's through triangular holes therefore giving nice bright red and blue arrows for the temperature indication. The widow indication will also be much brighter. I was thinking of making the graphics for the switch above temperature control an up and down white arrow to indicate the apportioning of air up or down, rather than the existing silly little white dots which are meaningless! Shall keep you posted, just waiting for one of my specialists who produces the replacement acrylic indicating panels to start back to work so as I can discuss making prototype panels. Pete
BIG DUNC said:
Pete,
I am quite happy with the black plastic panel and indeed it is a "feature" of a pre-cat and as my car is very original, I would like to keep it looking original.
That said, I agree the illumination is shocking on the plastic panel and therefore would be interested in assessing yours when it is ready.
Ha ha.....i find this quite funny......when I bought my pre cat early May I thought the lower panel had been "repaired" on a budget.I am quite happy with the black plastic panel and indeed it is a "feature" of a pre-cat and as my car is very original, I would like to keep it looking original.
That said, I agree the illumination is shocking on the plastic panel and therefore would be interested in assessing yours when it is ready.
Oh ho ho.....so perhaps when I have the dash redone I will leave the lower panel as is ???
But I must admit I'd rather like the burr walnut look throughout !
Jury in sittting.
Chuggaboom, I actually made a walnut veneered lower panel for my 430 when developing the new dashboards. The previous owner had ruined the original black acrylic panel. I believe if the black acrylic panels are made properly with nice bright coloured LED's illuminating the graphics it can look quite classy. I also intend to modify the graphics as the two little white dots above the switch that distributes air to top or bottom say nothing about the function! I am going to design it with white 'UP' and 'DOWN' arrows indicating the function. If the edges of the panel are nice and polished also instead of the 'routed' edge that TVR used that will also look better. Watch this space!
Oh this is interesting Pete as I already have your dash and my car is currently up at D&C trim for a complete retrim with instructions to fix the lighting behind that panel which doesn't currently work.
\if I decided to wait for your panel I just wanted to check if it can be fitted from the front without having to remove the center console or does that need to come out too? It's just that having just had it re-trimmed I might be loathe to pull it all out again!
Any idea on lead-times?
Best wishes,
Saxon
\if I decided to wait for your panel I just wanted to check if it can be fitted from the front without having to remove the center console or does that need to come out too? It's just that having just had it re-trimmed I might be loathe to pull it all out again!
Any idea on lead-times?
Best wishes,
Saxon
Hi guys, at long last I have completed all the design work for the 'new' laminated replacement 'black' lower panels. I had to put it on the 'back burner' for a while as I was really busy with other stuff. I have had a quote back from my specialist for the routing of the two panels and the 'screen printing' so have an idea of potential costs. Dunc is going to trial a prototype when I get the parts, and if successful will put into production. They will not be cheap though, but seeing they are not available anymore it will be worth it for originality of our early cars. Note I intend to supply them with fitted LED's and a 12v regulated driver module.
I will need to make a minimum of 10 for it to be viable. I have 5 names down form the Griffith Facebook section, so anyone here interested do let mw know via PM of response to this post. Once finalised I will request a deposit from all interested parties so as I can commit to the run.
Regards, Pete
I will need to make a minimum of 10 for it to be viable. I have 5 names down form the Griffith Facebook section, so anyone here interested do let mw know via PM of response to this post. Once finalised I will request a deposit from all interested parties so as I can commit to the run.
Regards, Pete
PeteGriff said:
Hi guys, at long last I have completed all the design work for the 'new' laminated replacement 'black' lower panels. I had to put it on the 'back burner' for a while as I was really busy with other stuff. I have had a quote back from my specialist for the routing of the two panels and the 'screen printing' so have an idea of potential costs. Dunc is going to trial a prototype when I get the parts, and if successful will put into production. They will not be cheap though, but seeing they are not available anymore it will be worth it for originality of our early cars. Note I intend to supply them with fitted LED's and a 12v regulated driver module.
I will need to make a minimum of 10 for it to be viable. I have 5 names down form the Griffith Facebook section, so anyone here interested do let mw know via PM of response to this post. Once finalised I will request a deposit from all interested parties so as I can commit to the run.
Regards, Pete
PeteI will need to make a minimum of 10 for it to be viable. I have 5 names down form the Griffith Facebook section, so anyone here interested do let mw know via PM of response to this post. Once finalised I will request a deposit from all interested parties so as I can commit to the run.
Regards, Pete
Put me down for one.
I hope you are well mate.
Brian
PeteGriff said:
Hi guys, at long last I have completed all the design work for the 'new' laminated replacement 'black' lower panels. I had to put it on the 'back burner' for a while as I was really busy with other stuff. I have had a quote back from my specialist for the routing of the two panels and the 'screen printing' so have an idea of potential costs. Dunc is going to trial a prototype when I get the parts, and if successful will put into production. They will not be cheap though, but seeing they are not available anymore it will be worth it for originality of our early cars. Note I intend to supply them with fitted LED's and a 12v regulated driver module.
I will need to make a minimum of 10 for it to be viable. I have 5 names down form the Griffith Facebook section, so anyone here interested do let mw know via PM of response to this post. Once finalised I will request a deposit from all interested parties so as I can commit to the run.
Regards, Pete
Pm'd Pete. I will need to make a minimum of 10 for it to be viable. I have 5 names down form the Griffith Facebook section, so anyone here interested do let mw know via PM of response to this post. Once finalised I will request a deposit from all interested parties so as I can commit to the run.
Regards, Pete
Hi guys, thanks for all who contacted me to put their names on the list. Including the Facebook Griffith forum that's 10 requests I have. As I stated previously I will need to prove a prototype panel to ascertain all the aspects I have designed actually translate properly in the car. I will soon ask all those interested for a deposit of £50, securing the commitment so as I can commit my specialist plastic processor to acquiring the materials. I am also having a cutting die manufactured to cut out the optical adhesive tape to the profile of the panel which is used to bond the two layers of my design together. As I stated previously, approximate total cost will be at least £100 to £125. Sorry can't be more accurate at the moment. All the best, Pete
Hi guys, UPDATE:
I have purchased the small quantities of material for the prototype. I aim to have these routed by my specialist over the next week or so, then make up the two panels for trial and evaluation of alignment etc. Once happy and feedback from Big Dunc taken into account I will be ready to commit to material purchase for the production run.
A question guys: I have been pondering a method of fixing the panel to the 'T' bar console that makes it able to be fitted and removed without taking the T console out with all the associated hassle. So I have come up with the idea of using hi bond self adhesive velcro pads/strips which I would attach to the back of the new panels, in places that I know there is a corresponding 'land area' on the fibre glass, the opposite velcro piece can then be attached to the fibre glass, enabling the panel to be securely fixed but removable! What do you think?
Regards, Pete
I have purchased the small quantities of material for the prototype. I aim to have these routed by my specialist over the next week or so, then make up the two panels for trial and evaluation of alignment etc. Once happy and feedback from Big Dunc taken into account I will be ready to commit to material purchase for the production run.
A question guys: I have been pondering a method of fixing the panel to the 'T' bar console that makes it able to be fitted and removed without taking the T console out with all the associated hassle. So I have come up with the idea of using hi bond self adhesive velcro pads/strips which I would attach to the back of the new panels, in places that I know there is a corresponding 'land area' on the fibre glass, the opposite velcro piece can then be attached to the fibre glass, enabling the panel to be securely fixed but removable! What do you think?
Regards, Pete
PeteGriff said:
Hi guys, UPDATE:
I have purchased the small quantities of material for the prototype. I aim to have these routed by my specialist over the next week or so, then make up the two panels for trial and evaluation of alignment etc. Once happy and feedback from Big Dunc taken into account I will be ready to commit to material purchase for the production run.
A question guys: I have been pondering a method of fixing the panel to the 'T' bar console that makes it able to be fitted and removed without taking the T console out with all the associated hassle. So I have come up with the idea of using hi bond self adhesive velcro pads/strips which I would attach to the back of the new panels, in places that I know there is a corresponding 'land area' on the fibre glass, the opposite velcro piece can then be attached to the fibre glass, enabling the panel to be securely fixed but removable! What do you think?
Regards, Pete
The principal sounds fine, but how would it sit as regards to the height above the original location? I have purchased the small quantities of material for the prototype. I aim to have these routed by my specialist over the next week or so, then make up the two panels for trial and evaluation of alignment etc. Once happy and feedback from Big Dunc taken into account I will be ready to commit to material purchase for the production run.
A question guys: I have been pondering a method of fixing the panel to the 'T' bar console that makes it able to be fitted and removed without taking the T console out with all the associated hassle. So I have come up with the idea of using hi bond self adhesive velcro pads/strips which I would attach to the back of the new panels, in places that I know there is a corresponding 'land area' on the fibre glass, the opposite velcro piece can then be attached to the fibre glass, enabling the panel to be securely fixed but removable! What do you think?
Regards, Pete
Hi CS, it would sit slightly higher. What I am trying to overcome is the need to have the small drilled holes around the switch hole that TVR did! I probably will try and fit a couple of studs to the back layer (like my dashboards), but at the moment do not want to upset the layers. Another option I am working on is a plastic push on stud/clip, which would enable easy removal whilst locking the panel in place. This is what assessing a prototype is all about. Will keep everyone posted.
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