jnif
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I have heard that under the black plastic dash cover on a fiat 500L (1972) square speedo there lies the original metal one ???. Can anyone tell me how you actually remove it as cannot find anything online ...thankyou all
General dash removal?
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General dash removal?
Sean went to the trouble of making a PDF all about it, which was linked to in a similar thread: https://www.fiatforum.com/threads/500l-speedo.509966/#post-4759393
The main dashboard under the plastic cover is metal, but there is also some welded bracketry that would need removing and tidying up; so not a straightforward job.
jnif
New member
thankyou just taken a look and pdf file but seems to be about the 500 acutal gauge cluster removal want to leave the square speedo in place just remove the black plastic dash cover around it to reveal the metal one. I think your reference to it needing some welded brackets needing tidying though does help thankyou
I see what you're after now...kind of a hybrid look? You might find something that helps on the Axel Gerstl website. As a start, I think they may sell the plastic trim itself, and I've used their images as a guide sometimes. They also have pages of other people's restorations and guides of their own.
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jnif
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thankyou yes more retro so to speak will look at that website for ideas thanks for your reply
the hobbler
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To the best of my knowledge, the metal 'dash' is an integral part of the car---it can't be "taken out" like you can on a lot of 'classic' sports cars. I have seen the 'retro' style dash-boards and I think that they actually fit OVER the metal dash-board (but I am quite happy to be proved wrong) I know when I fitted the "Abarth" style instrument cluster to my 500L (with the big instrument cluster, and fuel gauge) I had to take a big breath and confirm with my son that he WAS going to help me with the new wiring needed as the 'L' instrument cluster sits on a 'plinth' which has to have a fair bit of it cut away to fit the "Abarth" style cluster---and you can't very easily (if at all) put it back to standard!
jnif
New member
thankyou for the information above hubby is going to have a long think about it
Hi, I was wondering if you took the plunge and did this. I have just purchased a 500L. I’m waiting for it to be shipped to me but I had wanted to do this exactly and wondered how difficult it is to remove and if the metal below is untarnished beneath.
jnif
New member
hi there no not as yet still looking for information. Like you love the retro look of the metal dash on the earlier fiat 500s not so keen on the plastic cover they put on over the metal one to give it a 1970s "L". I had heard that it was possible but for the life of me cannot find anything anywhere. Just want to remove the plastic either side of the square speedo keeping the speedo as in place if you find out anything let me know, and likewise will let you too
Hi, yeah I completely agree. It seems such a shame hiding that lovely painted metal dash under the not so pretty black plastic. I have found another thread here where some people have removed the black cover and I think it looks great.
Metal dash under Fiat 500L plastic? | FIAT 500 (Classic)
I don't know what's happened to me, I'm usually quite a purist...but since my 500 has been in the garage (having the bonnet repaired and repainted along with a couple of other paint spots on the body that I thought might as well see to at the same time) I've been whiling away the time...
www.fiatforum.com
jnif
New member
so since the last message my husband has successfully removed the black plastic cover revealing a lovely red shiny metal dash. How did he do it.. fin a nutshell firstly remove the speedo and gauges by the two tiny metal clips that you can see underneath the speedo box itself. They are hard to see but it you get down and peer underneath you should find them. The two clips need pushing up ( use a small blade) and this realises the speedo box. Undo the speedo cable and the two wire sockets then speedo head comes away. Undo three switches on the plastic dash (no need to remove wires on those) pull out the ashtray and door seals on the edges of plastic dash driver and passenger side. This will allow you to gently ease the plastic cover out above the padded rail along the bottom edge and then it will drop down away from the windscreen rubber. The reconnect everything you have unfastened (the black padded section stays in place) the speedo box will then simply push back into the slot and the metal clips with hold in possition, and you are then left with a nice enamel dash ...good luckHi, yeah I completely agree. It seems such a shame hiding that lovely painted metal dash under the not so pretty black plastic. I have found another thread here where some people have removed the black cover and I think it looks great.
Metal dash under Fiat 500L plastic? | FIAT 500 (Classic)
I don't know what's happened to me, I'm usually quite a purist...but since my 500 has been in the garage (having the bonnet repaired and repainted along with a couple of other paint spots on the body that I thought might as well see to at the same time) I've been whiling away the time...
