Greg,
I did the same thing to my GT6 in the back, but I used walnut ply wood. It
looks really great and does deaden the sound a bit. I haven't done the
interior yet but I'm hesitating to cover up that wood in the back with
carpet. For my dash, I just used the original and sanded and finished with
a combination of minwax and a poly finish. Looks good since it's not a
convertable I guess you would have less weather damage in a GT6 than a
spit. Just my 2 cents.
Jane
'67 GT6
> Hi,
>
> I have a solid dash in my GT6+ and although it isn't as pleasing as the
> original dash it is holding up just fine. I think the only reason I would
> consider going to a plastic laminate dash is if I could duplicate the
> original orange tinted veneer, which I find very pleasing. I've worked
with
> laminates in my career as a designer and developer of kitchen and bath
> cabinetry. If I find a suitable laminate I would probably use medium
density
> fiberboard as a substrate to minimize shrinkage and expansion from
changes in
> temperature and humidity. Plywood is fine too, but it's open end grain
will
> take on moisture and swell if not properly sealed. I don't have anything
> against laminates. In fact I've seen many consumer focus groups that
can't
> tell laminate from real wood when they are side by side. Often they
select
> the laminate because it is so uniform in grain and free of natural
character
> marks.
>
> I have used 3/8" plywood to replace the luggage deck, spare tire and gas
tank
> cover panels in my GT6+. The original factory millboard was a poor choice
for
> long term service. The plywood is stronger and adds some sound deadening.
The
> diff doesn't howl quite so loudly since I installed it!
>
> I still believe one of the Standard Triumph buyers had a relative in the
> paperboard business. Parcel shelves I can understand, but transmission
> tunnels and engine valances.........they must have been having a laugh at
us!
>
> Greg Wolf
> 1970 GT6+ "Ian"
> Ann Arbor, Michigan
> Winnipeg MB Canada
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