Here is a pic of my dash. Missing the vertical metal and the radio knobs. I really hate to buy a new panel and cut the radio knobs out but I worry a little about the radio sitting in there without the extra support. What do you guys think?

I figure I will just add some metal tabs where the radio would be.



Here a link to one I found and is this what it should look like or is that vertical portion in the middle normally missing?

http://www.classicindustries.com/images/productimg/1/152760.jpg

I would screw in a couple of metal 'posts', nobody will see them, original or not...lol

That's normal, mine is also like that.

Good, I thought the middle vertical piece was correct. I just need to add some tabs for the radio. I wish I knew this before I painted the car.

Had to do the same to repair some of that butchery. HAHAHA!!!

Did the same repair my self, fun with sheet metal!!! If you are welding in the pieces make sure you have a spray bottle of water and a big welding blanket..... There is lots of little dust bunnies under there that could cause a fire with the sparks.

Great idea thanks. I will break out the welding blanket. Only problem with that is I left it on the floor a while back and the cat pissed on it! It is disgusting but still works.

This is what it's supposed to look like.

Why did so many of these cars have this hacked away?

Don't know. But my guess is because newer style stereos won't fit in that old two-shaft opening. The space would be too narrow for any type CD player.

Hmm. I'm going to have to look at some of my pics. I don't remember that verticle brace bolted in there in Lee's pic.

Newer stereos required more dash space and lack of foresight that these cars would be classics one day. I'm sure many of those were hacked up in the 70's and 80's.

Looks just as stock as mine!!!