Covan's Dash Panels

[HzEmall]

Has anyone actually used one of these ?



I just got in the black 6 hole with no gauges panel in today for this 69 Camaro we are building..................WOW.............

$249 for that flimsy piece of junk ABS ? I mean I could live with it if it was smooth like the silver or carbon fiber one but that cheap ABS grain on it........not even a OEM looking grain or a grain like the Autometer a-pillar pods...........

The customer took one look at it and was pissed, said there was no way he wanted that in his car.......

SO.....now I either buy another one in silver and paint it black or I have to go another route........

Not impressed...........

$79 or $99 I would have been ok, but not $249.......

[rocketrod]

You may want to look the DSE dash, http://www.detroitspeed.com/productp...nsert_prod.htm

It's pricey, but as you are aware you get what you pay for....

[parsonsj]

Has anyone actually used one of these ?

I am. I won't defend the quality... 'cuz it's indefensible. It really does look "cheap". I keep thinking I'll make a replacement but I haven't gotten around to it yet.

jp

[SatisTraction]

here is what i did. I plan to paint the trim rings satin black and it wont even be noticable!!

[gmachinz]

I had a customer that brought me that same insert to install-I told him imo it looked pretty cheap but he did not want to pay for the DSE one. I tried to convince him otherwise but he insisted. So my experience with it is like this: Not only do thehols not line up correctly to screw it to the factory dash-a few were too big so I had to use washers. And, if you look closely at what they allow you for a radio cut-out, how could you do it? The space they leave is nowhere near big enough for any kind of stereo-it is a cheap insert that should be priced at $79 or so.

[barno68]

I bought a carbon fiber looking one for my '71 about four years ago and am pretty happy. It is pretty sturdy and I had no issues mounting the gauges. However, a few of the mounting holes were slightly off and it is a tight fit, but I did not have to modify anything. Also, they were much cheaper then, I seem to remember paying around $119. My only compaint is that they did not mold in the cig lighter hole.

[69keith]

I bought the brushed silver one, it looks alot better than the black ones

[6'9"Witha69]

It should be priced lower, but works. It seems flimsy, but is not brittle so it holds up. Not the greatest but in lieu of the $$ for a DSE piece it works.

[ZZ430]

Yeah, I installed one for a customer too. I ended up using some 2 5/8" gauges as well.

I thought the price was a little steep myself.

[West Texas Z]

I have one but I bought it used. Not worth the price but it was the only option out there.

[eldogg]

I am a Covans Dealer and I help them with prototyping. Alot of people think that they are over priced. What they don't realize is it costs around $20,000 to tool up for a new car. So now is $250 too much or buy the DSE for $600+. My favorite thing is to use a 69-74 Nova panel and dash pad in the 69. Just my 2 cents.

[parsonsj]

Eric,

What would Covan have to say to improving the material in the black versions? Just increasing the thickness of the plastic would go a long way to alleviate the "cheap" feel of the existing product. I doubt that would cost $20K to do. Then the price point would better match the product.

Just thinking out loud.

jp

[ZZ430]

When the panel is installed it stiffens up ok. Other than the ABS grain it doesn't look too bad.

[Mike Holleman]

I have installed a couple of Covan's panels in Chevelles. They are a bit thin once the gauge holes are cut. What I've been doing is laminating an 1/8" fiberglass piece behind the Covan piece and cutting the holes thru both. This does make a much nicer part. I'm with you John, it would really improve Covan's piece if they would double the thickness of the area where the gauges mount.
Mike Holleman

[DarkoNova]

Ha, yeah, I remember seeing them when they first came out (pictures, not in person), and I don't remember the black ones having the grain. I remember them being smoothe. Then I found out that the black ones have that annoying grain, so I had to get a silver one. I got it used from someone on the forum, so I didn't pay the retail price. I don't even think I paid $100.

It does feel slightly flexible and flimsy, but eh, as long as it gets the job done, I don't really think it'll be a problem.

Matt