Yes this is going to be a real Marmite Modification, I know a lot will detest it,

But It was nagging at me and I really wanted to give it a go.

TASK - Fit a Leather Dashboard Panel Skin to the 500.

ITEMS : £39.99 Leather Dashboard Skin From Ebay
ITEMS : £14.99 Second Hand Dashboard Panels From Ebay (Didn't want to ruin my own yellow ones!)
ITEMS : Tin Of Contact Adhesive From B&Q £8.99

TIME : 2.5 Hours, Lots of Cursing & Swearing and Richard running for cover!

Here is the leather skin from Ebay does not look much, but seems to be nice leather





Fitting the Skin to the Donor Dash Panel



There was some trimming with a scalpel required as some of the overhangs were a bit much and one of the centre holes (Hazzards) was a little out of position and required a little "Tweak" to make it fit.

But after 2 hours of grimacing and swearing and getting heady with Epoxy fumes it was done and in.

I think it matches the Half Leather interior Really well













I also purchased a Leather Cover for the Speedo Cowl, at the same time but I am not happy with the fit and as I don't have a spare cowl to try it on, and don't want to wreck mine, I am not bothering fitting that for now. (Will Probably go back for a refund that one.)

You can buy a spare speedo surround for £6.95 at the link below

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BREAKING-...arts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item27cf9693c2

Hi - as you say, not everyone is going to like it, but it looks better than I had imagined and you look to have made a really good job of it! Congrats

Yeah, good work, although it inevitably looks a little "after market".

I like it, I wonder if they do it in cream leather?

scout500 said:

I like it, I wonder if they do it in cream leather?

Click to expand...

Didn't see any on ebay but drop them an email they seem really friendly

JF BOOTS - [email protected]

You've obviously taken a great deal of care in fitting this, and achieved a pleasing result .

If the average workshop mechanic gave the same attention to detail you've given this job, many of the ongoing problems some folks post about on here would have been resolved ages ago.

As ever, JR gets the magic words in. He's a smooth talker! Can only agree - not only does it look b****** nice (and I didn't expect it to when I started reading your thread) but also the sheer skill you have shown in applying. Not an air bubble or crease in sight.

Flashy, you are sooo clever. Not Marmite - chocolate.

I really, really didn't expect to like that. Especially after seeing the 1st photo. But I do. A lot. Very nice mod.

I like it kinda. In a way it's not the dash I dislike, it's the fact that the leather highlights the rest of the crappy interior plastics.

306maxi said:

I like it kinda. In a way it's not the dash I dislike, it's the fact that the leather highlights the rest of the crappy interior plastics.

Click to expand...

Well, there's always a way to hide that. Lots of leather though!

It's the right sort of shape of dash for a complete leather covering, also, with no huge compound curves..

flashyphotos said:

Yes this is going to be a real Marmite Modification, I know a lot will detest it,

Click to expand...

Like it, very well fitted

Looks cracking Excellent job

I like it too, especially the way yellow stitching brings up the colour of the car... That was my main gripe with Grande Punto Evo which had yellow and red stitching, way too much! You've kept it simple - good job!

Well done I think you have done a great job and if it suits you then fine. Get your CV out there on the market for Vehicle Interior Design

Although I prefer the painted panels I still think it looks good and you have done a great job.

You know I started reading this thread thinking that the end result would be terrible but I actually really like it! Well done.

Looks alright that, won't have it but does look alright.

Very nice job! Looks nice quality leather.
Love the way the 500 badge looks on it.
Maxi is right though, if only Fiat used nicer materials overall.
As bgunn mentioned, imagine it fully leather wrapped!
Have you thought about doing the door panel?
Will look out for more mods from you.

That looks very well and nicely fitted too! Although if I was a betting man I'd reckon you'll have the original back on after a month or two when the novelty wears off!!