I asked my father inlaw if he could make me up a wooden dash using an original as a template for my project. I think it has turned out brilliant. I added the temp/oil holes and will stain up a little darker as I won't add any additional veneer.




My question is when did the use of wooden dash first start ? I think they were a dealership add-on right, never from factory. Did it start in the uk and filter through to Australia? Were they only produced in UK? The original has 1959 stamped on the back - but I seriously doubt that is the year made. I pulled the original dash from a parts shell in the early '90s, it was likely an early mk1 as it had rubber cone suspension.

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1966 Mini Deluxe - “Gabby” 34 years under restoration and counting...
1970 MGBGT
1959 MGA

They were factory fitted to the UK Riley Elf, and aftermarket from companies like Rokee. I’m not sure who did them first, there was plenty of aftermarket parts like that in the early days

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Mine has serial #, as well as another I have - both different #'s.
Australian made? I'm not so sure, but they were an accessory available via BMC. With an AKF part # possibly suggests a UK-sourced / supplied kit. (Butler driving / fog lights were another)

Not forgetting the 2000 odd Elfs "made" in NZ.