FFR Roadster Vinyl Dash with Glovebox :-(

[Atomac67]

I want to say first off sorry to Dave and Jeff at FFR. The finished dash I bought and to be nice no way would I put that in my car. I was bummed right when I first opened the box and looked at it but gave them the ben of doubt put it together and in the car. I sat there looking at it and thought to myself no way am I putting a plastic dash wrapped in cheap vinyl, it all flimsy as if made out of milk bottle plastic, so I went out and bought half a black cowhide for $100 and put that on. The glovebox door even fell off while it was in the car and if I can build the Roadster in my garage no one can say that I can’t handle epoxying the glovebox door to a bracket. So I called and because I put epoxy on the bracket and door I cannot return it so am out the cost of it? Right now I have like 38K in it while still needing the from the flywheel to the trans. I wasn’t even going to say anything about it to anyone, this post is going to bug me probably for the rest of the week, but am shocked they sell it because it’s a truly amazing US company that is Red White and Blue to the core. The car I cant wait to drive and will never say a single bad thing ever again.

I will post a pic of the dash in leather, unless this post is pulled down and I get kicked or my account is locked from this site for the post. Please dont bash me for this as I HATE that I posted this but dont want anyone who was thinking about getting it to waste their time and money.

LOL if you live in MA and want to buy it? I will sell it for $75 but you pick it up.

[Atomac67]

I am even thinking about getting another car so its not like I wont spend my money with them, prob a '33 Hot Rod.

[skullandbones]

I'm not familiar with the kit you are describing but it might help if you post a pic of it assembled (in or out of the car). I can understand your disappointment if it looks cheap as that piece is right in your face every time you look at the car or get in to drive it. I don't think FFR is thin skinned enough to get their feelings hurt about it. You should put it out there. It may lead to them rethinking the parts. However, there are examples of items in the kit like the side vents that are less than what you would expect (at least, that was my reaction at first). When you have a product for sale sometimes the cost of things has to be weighted against quality. It's a balancing act for FFR as with many other companies. So the option is use the utility piece until you decide to go with a premium one like in the case of the side vents. You can pay $85 and get a really cool addition. They aren't that hard to change out.

I like your idea with the cow hide. I love the look of leather especially after it is worn and aged a little. It has character about it that is hard to beat. If you see the original first roadster in the Shelby Museum, the beat up seats look pretty cool even after all that time. Looking forward seeing your pics.

Good luck with the rest of your build.

WEK.

[Gumball]

No worries with voicing displeasure about a part from FFR - they are usually open to suggestions and will improve products based on feedback. As WEK points out, though, some of the parts are built to a price point... i.e., to keep the overall kit cost down. While those parts will work for most people, there are others who look for an upgrade. Fortunately, the replica (and original replacement part) industry is such that there are often great alternatives out there. In fact, FFR has produced so many kits that an entire cottage industry has formed around them to provide just such upgraded pieces.

As for dash, I used a waterjet cut version of slightly thicker material made by a forum vendor, then added an underside stiffening panel from a second forum vendor. Add to that a glovebox that I fabricated myself (using ideas from forum members) and leather covering done by a local upholsterer and the end result was a very solid, stable, and nice looking dash.

Looking forward to reading more about your build - best of luck!!!

[68GT500MAN]

Can you post some photo's of the dash in question as I am not sure what you are describing?
Doug

[Atomac67]

I bought half a black cowhide for $99 and wrapped the alum dash in it, am going to wrap the dash support and had even thought of wrapping the back wall of the cockpit in it, in the dash nothing but the guages are in it while everything else is hidden under the dash. I dynamatted the whole interior and have an MB Quart UTV bluetooth preamp and Polt MM 6501's in the console.

[Atomac67]

I cant post pics from work due to the file size, I emailed Dave about it and will not say a single negative thing about the co ever again. Companies like FFR are one of the things that makes America the best country in the world! I wont post a picture of the finished dash as its not my place to but will of it wrapped in leather. i seriously feel bad for the post but felt i had to.

[Dave Smith]

I just returned from the London Cobra Show, and after spending three days with the best guys in the world, and having a chance to auto-cross with my daughters Jenny and Madison, so I'm pretty happy right now... until I read this post.

The new dash you talked about is installed in our 20th Anniversary Mk4 Roadster, and is absolutely beautiful. The car and interior are on display as is the new dash and glovebox. The part was in our showroom and on display when you picked it up this weekend. You can have your money back, but apparently you told Tony you had assembled/installed it already. And there was some mention epoxy on the part?

I'm going to offer you a full refund on your dash no matter what the condition or how much you have or have not cheesed it up. I am also going to ask a moderator to lock out this thread.

Full report on the AMAZING London Cobra Show this weekend in a bit.