Topic: Why no OE Tooling '67-68 Dashpad?

[drummingrocks]

I was thumbing through the NPD catalog earlier this evening, and I realized that there's no OE tooling dashpad for '67-68s.  I've heard that there's two main variations of the dashpads currently available: either it fits well but the grain is off, or the grain is correct but the fit is terrible.  I'm surprised that no one has stepped up and made a decent, or at least more correct, '67-68 dashpad, especially when the OE tooling versions are available for '65-66s, AND '71-73s (which surprised me too, I would've thought the '67-68 pad would be reproduced and perfected LONG before anyone started making pads for the '71-73s).

[midlife]

I've heard that the original Ford tooling was destroyed in a fire or an industrial accident quite some years ago.  Can anyone verify that?

[CharlesTurner]

I've heard that the original Ford tooling was destroyed in a fire or an industrial accident quite some years ago.  Can anyone verify that?

Haven't heard that, but would explain things.  The current reproduction leaves a lot to be desired, which is why original pads have become so valuable these days.

[Laurie S.]

I was told at SEMA a number of years ago that the original tooling was destroyed by a vendor who was trying to produce a reproduction of it.

[jwc66k]

About 8 years ago we found a reproduction dashpad (I think NPD) for a 67 I was assisting on and it fit well and had a nice grain. It was a different time.
Jim

[TLea]

The current repros fit well and have a nice grain. Thats the problem, the nice grain