Description
Buick Apollo Dash Pad for Sale, Restore Classic GM X-Body Dashboard Presentation
The dashboard pad is the single largest visual element of any 1970s GM interior. When the vinyl surface cracks and the foam crumbles, no amount of cleaning or detailing can disguise the deterioration. For a classic Buick Apollo restoration or maintenance project, sourcing a usable dash pad is one of the more challenging parts decisions. GM stopped making Apollo-specific parts decades ago, NOS dash pads are increasingly expensive when found, and aftermarket reproductions vary in quality and finish.
A verified used Buick Apollo dash pad restores authentic factory presentation to your classic at a fraction of NOS pricing. We inspect the vinyl surface for cracks, verify foam integrity, confirm mounting tabs are intact, and check that defrost vent openings are in correct shape. We accept dash pads from the cross-referenced Chevrolet Nova, Pontiac Ventura and Oldsmobile Omega donors of the same era since the X-body platform shared this part across GM divisions, which expands our inventory significantly.
Get your classic Apollo back to factory dashboard presentation with a tested dash pad today.
Product Overview
The Buick Apollo dash pad is a padded vinyl-covered cover that mounts on top of the dashboard structure. The construction is a rigid plastic or fiberboard substrate covered with a foam core covered with textured vinyl outer skin. The vinyl provides the visible finish and weather resistance, the foam provides cushioning and visual depth, and the substrate provides the rigid mounting structure.
The leading edge of the pad (toward the windshield) includes integrated defrost vent openings for the windshield demister function. Air from the heater/defrost system rises through the vent openings and onto the windshield. The pad mounts to the dashboard structure with multiple screws or clips along the front edge near the windshield and along the rear edge near the instrument cluster bezel.
About the Buick Apollo
GM X-Body Compact Car (1973 to 1975)
Platform: GM X-body, shared with Chevrolet Nova, Pontiac Ventura, Oldsmobile Omega
Body styles: 4-door sedan, 2-door hatchback (Apollo SR coupe), Apollo GSX sporting variant
Engines: 250 cu in inline-6 (105 HP), 350 cu in small-block V8 (155-200 HP), 455 cu in big-block V8 (early 1973 only)
Transmissions: 3-speed manual, 4-speed manual, Powerglide 2-speed auto, TH-350 3-speed auto
Production years: 1973, 1974, 1975 only, three model years total
Position: Buick’s compact car offering, sat below the Buick Skylark intermediate (which then took over the X-body compact role from 1976)
X-Body Cross-Reference Family
The GM X-body platform was shared across four divisions during the 1970s, with each division offering a slightly differentiated version of the same fundamental car:
Chevrolet Nova: 1973 to 1979, the highest-volume X-body and the most common donor
Pontiac Ventura: 1973 to 1977, Pontiac’s X-body variant
Oldsmobile Omega: 1973 to 1979, Oldsmobile’s X-body variant
Buick Apollo: 1973 to 1975, Buick’s X-body variant (this listing’s primary application)
Buick Skylark: 1976 to 1979 X-body, succeeded the Apollo in Buick’s X-body slot
The dash pad is shared across all five X-body models, expanding sourcing options for Apollo restoration significantly.
Signs Your Apollo Dash Pad Needs Replacement
Vinyl surface has visible cracks, especially on the upper sun-exposed areas
Foam underneath the vinyl is crumbling (visible as crumbs falling when you press the pad)
Pad is no longer uniformly firm (soft and uneven spots that move under pressure)
Vinyl is severely faded compared to other interior trim (UV bleaching)
Vinyl is peeling or separating from the foam substrate at the edges
Visible holes or tears in the vinyl surface
Defrost vent openings are distorted or partially melted from heat exposure
Mounting tabs are broken (pad does not seat securely against the dash)
Surface scratches or burns from accident or interior fire damage
Features of the Buick Apollo Dash Pad
Padded Foam Core: OEM cushioning and visual depth
Textured Vinyl Outer Skin: authentic factory finish
Integrated Defrost Vent Openings: windshield demister function
Mounting Tabs Front and Rear: OEM hidden fastener engagement
Color Options: Black, Saddle, Blue, Green
X-Body Cross-Compatible: Nova, Ventura, Omega and Apollo all share
Classic GM Restoration Grade: authentic period original equipment
Inspected Condition: vinyl, foam, tabs and vent openings verified
Why Choose Our Used Buick Apollo Dash Pad
Cost Savings
Versus NOS dash pad: $149 used compared to $300 to $600+ NOS when available
Versus aftermarket reproduction: authentic factory appearance versus reproduction quality variation
Free shipping: all 50 states, no large package surcharge
Quality Verified
Vinyl surface: no cracks, no severe fading, no holes
Foam integrity: firm and even, no crumbling
Mounting tabs: intact for OEM fastener engagement
Defrost vent openings: correct shape, no melting
Color uniformity: no patchy fading
Cross-reference donor: Apollo or X-body cross-reference disclosed
Classic GM Restoration Specialist Support
Our team works with classic GM platforms regularly across the 1960s through 1980s. We will help you confirm cross-reference fitment to your specific Apollo and identify the right donor source. Call (240) 301-0095 with your Apollo year and we will share color verification photos before shipping.
Vehicle Compatibility
Direct Fit and Cross-Reference (specify color at time of order):
| Buick Apollo (1973) | First model year, all body styles including 455 big-block production |
|---|---|
| Buick Apollo (1974) | Second model year, sedan, hatchback and GSX trim |
| Buick Apollo (1975) | Final model year, sedan, hatchback and GSX trim |
| Chevrolet Nova (1973 to 1979) | Cross-reference, X-body dash shared across GM divisions |
| Pontiac Ventura (1973 to 1977) | Cross-reference, X-body dash shared |
| Oldsmobile Omega (1973 to 1979) | Cross-reference, X-body dash shared |
| Buick Skylark (1976 to 1979) | Cross-reference, X-body successor to the Apollo with same dash |
| NOT Compatible | Earlier compact GMs (pre-1973 Nova used different dash design), later GM compacts (post-1979 X-body successors), any Buick beyond the X-body line |
Condition and Inspection
Vinyl surface condition verified (no cracks, no severe UV fading, no holes, no peeling)
Foam integrity confirmed (no crumbling, pad firm and even when pressed)
Substrate integrity verified (no warping, rigid structure intact)
Mounting tab condition verified (all tabs intact, ready for OEM fasteners)
Defrost vent opening geometry verified (correct shape, no melting, no distortion)
Color uniformity verified (no patchy fading across the surface)
No prior burn or accident damage (no scorch marks, no impact distortion)
Front edge condition verified (windshield-side, often the first to fail from UV)
Donor source disclosed (Apollo, Nova, Ventura, Omega or Skylark)
Cleaned of decades of dust before shipping
Packaged with vinyl surface protection to prevent transit damage
For Buick Apollo (1973 to 1975) and cross-reference X-body donors
Vinyl surface condition verified on every pad
Foam integrity confirmed firm and even
Mounting tabs verified intact
Defrost vent openings verified correct shape
Color uniformity verified
Donor source disclosed (Apollo or X-body cross-reference)
Classic GM X-body restoration specialist support
Cross-reference assistance for Apollo vs Nova/Ventura/Omega/Skylark
Color verification photos available on request
Honest disclosure of any age-related cosmetic signs
Free shipping all 50 states
15 day replacement warranty on defects
No core charge, keep your old dash pad
Walter Briggs –
Restoring a 1974 Apollo GSX (original Saddle interior) and the dash pad was destroyed by 50 years of Arizona sun. Vaz had a verified Saddle pad in stock sourced from a Nova donor, color matched perfectly to my interior. Vinyl surface had no cracks, foam was firm, mounting tabs all intact. Installation took about 90 minutes with the windshield trim and bezel work. Looks period correct in the car. Best restoration find I have had in months.
Joan Mitchell –
Picked up a Black dash pad for my 1973 Apollo sedan. Sourced from a Ventura donor according to the disclosure, which they were upfront about. Pad is functionally perfect with no cracks and good firm foam. One star off because the original vinyl texture has slight softening from age (consistent with a 50-year-old part, not a defect) and it is just barely noticeable next to interior trim that has been recovered with new vinyl. For a survivor-grade Apollo or a driver-grade restoration, this is a gr
John Peterson (verified owner) –
I recently purchased the Buick Apollo Dash Pad from Vaz Auto Solutions, and I couldn’t be happier with my purchase! The quality of the material is top-notch, and it’s perfectly molded to fit my dashboard.
Mike Sanders (verified owner) –
I ordered the Buick Apollo Dash Pad from Vaz Auto Solutions a few weeks ago. The dash pad fits well and seems durable enough. It wasn’t the easiest to install, but I managed. While it does its job, I wish it came with clearer instructions and perhaps a bit more padding for extra comfort.