Thread: Dashboard Upgrades

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Im building a 57 Cameo and i find the dash just a little to plain. So rather then spruce up the existing dash i thought about scrapping the whole thing and grafting in a completely different dashbourd. You guys have any takes on what would look good in it?

Oh also any pictures would help.

Fiberglass your own. Build a wooden frame, run chicken wire around that. You've got your mold. BTW, know any good places to get aftermarket gauges?

I was looking at some different gauges and how i could incorperate some of them, so many combos so many choices . I hate fiberglass, i just don't feel its right unless it's steel, it just seems to me that anybody can use fiberglass but it's the artists that work with metal. I look at automobiles as art. I'll only do fiberglass if i really have to, carbon fiber???


Heres a 59 El Camino dash. I was also looking at a 60-61 corvette dash too. I was thinking it might be nice to keep it in the general age of the truck, that way it stays with the theme, but you never know what might pop up. Im going to do the same with a 69 Camero, that dash just dosent do the car justice either

See this dash can be upgraded with modern gauges, maybe tweek some of curves to accent them alittle more, Maybe twotone it add a little leather, maybe a leather wrapped billet banjo wheel.....................something like this idea, hhhhmmmm...

I was just going to pass on this one, but I can't. Diamond, you do of course have the right to your own opinion, but saying that guys who build glass cars are not artistic is bordering on snobbish.

There are many very high quality 'glass bodied cars on the road today that show very artistic styling and some very innovative modifations done with and to the glass. Steel cars do not have the market cornered on artistic impression, and to say they do is very narrow minded.

If someone wants to build a '34 Ford, what are there options?? Search for years to find a rusted out hulk in some cow pasture, pay a huge price for a done or an original car, or buy a 'glass body from one of the quality manufacturers. Many of us will opt for the glass body, and do the mods we feel are necessary to express our artistic interests.

I will agree that building with tin requires a lot of talent and experience. But building with glass requires a lot of talent and experience to come up with a quality product also. The artistic part of building a car is in the concept, design, fit, and finish of the car, not in the materials used.

I will apologize to you in advance if you find this post offensive, it is not intended to be. But to say that "anybody can use fiberglass" is inaccurate, to say the least. Just had to speak my mind, that's all.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Diamond
[B]I was looking at some different gauges and how i could incorperate some of them, so many combos so many choices . I hate fiberglass, i just don't feel its right unless it's steel, it just seems to me that anybody can use fiberglass but it's the artists that work with metal. I look at automobiles as art. I'll only do fiberglass if i really have to, carbon fiber???

Well said, Dave.....
"The artistic part of building a car is in the concept, design, fit, and finish of the car, not in the materials used. "

Diamond
Every fellow is entitled to his opinion. If he is right, he need not argue to prove it--if he is wrong, argument will not make him right.

Be not critical of another man's choices, two sides to every coin.
As you have stated "looking at something different." We all have obstacles to overcome , the manner which we choose to do so, is just that, our choice. Best of luck to you in your choices.

Techinspector1
Thanks--also for the direction you pointed myself as to my 1406
carb. You were right on!...............

Diamond I like the 59 Chevy dash. The 60 Chevys were the same. You might have to narrow it to fit your truck and relocate the radio. The 57 dash is similar but without the raised area over the glove box. The 57 might be easier to narrow without giving up the space for the radio. The 57 may be easier to find than a 59 or 60 but will cost more because the 57 Chevy is so popular.

My opinion in the fiberglas issue:
Building a hot rod is an art form. The most creative types don't limit themselves to one medium.
Henry Ford tried to develop a substance similar to fiberglas in the 20s. He made fenders from soy beans but horses and goats would eat them. If he had the technology back then all the 1932 Fords might have been fiberglas.

Congratulations Walt on becoming a senior.

as al show said i like the 57 idea.
most pepole who know will get the difference .
a 57 car dash in a 57 truck

well said dave severson !!!!!

Have you seen the '56 they did at Scott's Hot Rods for the "Rides" show on TLC? Try to catch it on Tuesday nights. Here's a link to some pics but there's none of the dash. You might search the 'net and find some (maybe on TLC's website?)

http://www.scottshotrods.com/RidesGallery.asp

I used my stock dash as a plug so the fiberglass part would bolt in properly. I made the changes to the stock dash with wood. Made a mould off the plug and then the finished part. Then made an oak insert to hold the guages, toggle switches, electric window and door selenoid switches. Routered a chevrolet emblem in the insert just to balance out the guages on the drivers side. SW Guages if I remember right.

Started out as a 40 chevy panel truck dash.

Sorry, i did'nt mean to offend anybody,i guess that was worded a little harshly. I appreciate anybodys hard work and skill glass or steel, i just prefer steel, if i had no option but to use fiberglass (in todays age i would prefer carbonfiber if i had the dough) i would. And yes i agree there are some very nice rods made of glass. Did'nt mean to insult any glass rodders out there.

This what you guys mean?