When you buy real wood veneer.....your going to have to choose the grain pattern that you like since they are all different. Even with Walnut Burlwood grain....each sheet of veneer is different. However, in some cases you can get several sheets of the same pattern.....if the seller has them bundled that way. So I chose a Walnut Burl grain pattern I liked and went with it.
U then need to get a vacuum system set up (Buy or make one) so that you can vacuum bag the part with the veneer over it. The vacuum bagging will pull the veneer around the part and make it conform flat to its shape. U have to soften the veneer prior to forming cause it will want to crack as it bends over corners and edges etc. U apply the adhesive prior to vacuum bagging and then while the adhesive (I used epoxy.....best for metal IMO) is still wet you have to place the part in the vacuum bag and draw the vacuum. Once under vacuum let the part dry for a day or two and then you can sand, paint and buff etc.
Heres where I bought my veneer and he has some good ideas on vacuum bagging, adhesives, softening the veneer. Great site. But mostly geared toward using veneer for furniture etc. The veneer is graded by quality and grain pattern so pick a high quality pattern cause it will look much better especially on a small piece in a car.
http://www.veneersupplies.com/
His information site:
http://www.joewoodworker.com/
Pics below: Still working on the big console piece and I just finished up the center dash bezel thing....The PRNDL plate and the center dash bezel havent been fully sanded and need a couple more coats of polyurethane......sand & buff.