magnum dashboards

[craig12]

can anyone help please on the magnum 1800 were they all 7 dial cut out dashboards or is the rectangular panel with the 2 clocks together correct also

[cooperman]

2 clocks also fitted to magnums

[Fred Dukes]

7 dial only on 2300 versions

[1972nail]

Only 1800's with the 7 dial were the 1800 GLS

[Fred Dukes]

Aah your right there! also the 1256 GLS - how many 1800 GLS's do we know of Rachael's and - bugger cant remember his name!

[craig12]

7 dial only on 2300 versions

can I just clarify that please , on e bay they have a newspaper cutting article , which shows a 1800 magnum with a 7 dial dash now im confused
e bay item number 122976843335

[1972nail]

You are correct. The article you have found is from 1977 when the Magnum name was revived for the Viva 1800 GLS.

In 1976 the Viva GLS was introduced in both 1300 and 1800 versions and fitted with the 7 dial dash. The Magnum name was reserved for the 2300 engined car only. In 1977 Vauxhall dropped the 1800 GLS and revived the Magnum name for the 1800 and 2300 engined cars. However you could still buy a Viva 1800 L. - Yes, as you have said, confusing.

All pre 1976 1800 Magnums would have has the twin dial dash. Post 1976 1800 Magnums were and are rare so that's what influenced the replies above.

[Fred Dukes]

to add to the "clarification" in the later years the 7 dial was put in the 1300 and 1800 GLS - I not aware of an 1800 Magnum having a 7 dial - could they have been testing an 1800 GLS.
Coincidentally my son gave me a copy of the Magnum Brochure published in 1974 at the launch of the Magnum - it says the 1800 has the twin dial dash and the 2300 has the 7 dial dash
Looks like David has just come to the same conclusion as I have been typing

[craig12]

on the magnum I have arranged to buy , would a vinyl roof been an optional extra at the time of sale , or would it have been added many years later?

[droopsnoot]

There is an option code 507 for an Onyx (black) vinyl roof cover, if the SPI plate on the drivers side inner wing has '507' on it, then it suggests that it's a factory-fit option. Otherwise it might have been done by the supplying dealer, or maybe later on. I'd imagine that 40-odd years later, any factory-fit vinyl roof might be showing signs of age, and might have been replaced.

I did hear an "interesting" story - in the factory, part of the job of the final inspection team was to check the roof panel to see that it had no dents, and if it did, they would fix them by tapping them out from underneath and checking the paint wasn't damaged. If they still couldn't get the roof panel right, then they'd fill it and the customer would get a bonus free vinyl roof. Make of that what you will, and don't let it put you off the car.