Instrument binnacle on a SE

[carlp]

HI,
The top of the instrument binnacle on my SE is distorted above the heater vents by the centre console. While it's not too bad I would like to fix this. Is it possible to reshape the binnacle or is it easier just to replace it with another one, assuming I can find a good one?

Thanks
Carl

[shaunw]

Trying to find a completely unwarped one is pretty much impossible. The warping happens due to the sun shrinking the leather over time and pulling the binnacle out of shape. The heat also softens the base material. Mine has lifted bit over the heater controls and at some point i plan to remove the leather, reshape the fibreglass and then get the binnacle retrimmed.

Shaun

[carlp]

I wonder if this would work? It seems you can buy leather covers for the Excel binnacle on ebay.

https://ebay.us/4PDa34

Carl

[amarshall]

Ask MrCoolA - he's just done/is finishing redoing his interior and was talking about buying one of those kits.

[carlp]

Thanks, I will ...

[MrCoolA]

I wonder if this would work? It seems you can buy leather covers for the Excel binnacle on ebay.

https://ebay.us/4PDa34

Carl

Still waiting to see mine in all it’s completedness but Angus is right I got the whole dash fitted including the binnacle and what I have seen of it looks good. I’m not doing it my self I’ve got my mechanic doing it and as with all great mechanics they seem to take their time especially when they’re friends I have used the company before and generally impressed but you must make sure they are definitely for your series as I got the door covers as well before I realised they were fire an earlier than 89my. Not an issue as I changed the door cards for £20.


It will mean removing the whole dash and the hassle that brings.

[carlp]

I wonder if this would work? It seems you can buy leather covers for the Excel binnacle on ebay.

https://ebay.us/4PDa34

Carl

Still waiting to see mine in all it’s completedness but Angus is right I got the whole dash fitted including the binnacle and what I have seen of it looks good. I’m not doing it my self I’ve got my mechanic doing it and as with all great mechanics they seem to take their time especially when they’re friends I have used the company before and generally impressed but you must make sure they are definitely for your series as I got the door covers as well before I realised they were fire an earlier than 89my. Not an issue as I changed the door cards for £20.


It will mean removing the whole dash and the hassle that brings.

Hopefully not too much of a hassle.. . I have changed my Elan dashboard 3 times so hopefully the Excel will be easier?

Carl

[MrCoolA]

Not the best photo but my newly covered binnacle

[carlp]

Very nice.. hope it was it easy to do?

Carl

[MrCoolA]

Very nice.. hope it was it easy to do?

Carl

Mark my mechanic will complain about it then say it wasn’t difficult. Personally I don’t think anything to do with reupholstering is easy but I do know that the removal of the dash is fiddly and then it’s all the usual hassle with removing the instrument cluster/ speedo cable then re installing trying to refit the vent rubbers.