Anyone installed a new SI dash pad?

[Hogtrough]

Just curious if anyone here has bought and installed a Studebaker International dash pad, which is about half the price of the main competitor. I know the competitor has taken great pains to get a good fit, but how about the SI pad? 

[1963r2]

I did many years ago, it seemed fine. Unfortunately the completed dash is still sitting under my bed waiting installation but the pad went on quite well. Certainly less flexible than the new ones.

Pb

[Hogtrough]

I don't require that it be as flexible as the original, but if you believe Nostalgic, theirs is much easier to install than the competitors. Not sure if that alone  is worth the premium price

[ronmanfredi]

On 2/7/2025 at 8:50 AM, Hogtrough said:

I don't require that it be as flexible as the original, but if you believe Nostalgic, theirs is much easier to install than the competitors. Not sure if that alone  is worth the premium price

I sat through a seminar last year and watched Dan Booth from Nostalgic do a dash pad installation on a dash.  He had other dash pads from competitors and showed the differences, including how competitors' pads don't usually fit as they should.  The ease of installation is about not spending a bunch of time trying to get the fitment right where it looks good.  If you get a cheaper pad and it doesn't fit properly, they will tell you that you just need to make it work.  One of the vendors won't take it back, another will, but you'll pay return shipping and a restock fee.  With that being said, you have to decide if you just want something that will work $1000 or something that looks and feels like it came with the car when new $2200.