Well after this thread...

http://www.locostbuilders.co.uk/viewthread.php?tid=49187

I finally got my thumb out of my arse and got on with making my own dashboard.

Thanks in particular to "Zetec" who offered some good advice and pointers on how to tackle it.

Here are the results, which I'm quite pleased with - your comments good or bad are welcomed
Rescued attachment dash-1.jpg

and another...

oops...
Rescued attachment dash-2.jpg

and finally...

Instruments from ETB
Lights from SVC
Vinyl and spray glue from Woolies Plywood from B&Q
Rescued attachment dash-3.jpg

Agreed - some excellent craftmanship there!

I loved getting my dash finished and in - just seemed like a major step forward

Hi Mark - thanks for your feedback!

Yes, the flat bottom is due to the position of the gearstick, but I may make another panel that sits vertically between the bottom of the dash and top of the tunnel.

All the wiring is completely hidden behind ally panelling under the dash, with the fuse box and relays mounted above the tunnel out the way of knees and SVA balls etc, so should be OK.

The bottom edge is made from 2 x 18mm quadrant strips of wood glued together then glued to the dash panel. The 3mm foam padding and vinyl covering means the finished dash has a padded 20mm rad on the bottom edge - should keep Mr SVA happy


Muzchap - definately a big step and I did have to sit in the car, with the harnesses on just to savour the moment

[Edited on 17/8/06 by nick205]

Very nice Nick. Puts mine to shame
You cant be far away now.
How long till you get your sva. Do you think we could get a trip out this year?

ATB
Cheers Nige

Very smart

How did you fasten it to the scuttle?

Cheers

Mark

Nige - looking to send off SVA paperwork in the next week or so. Hopefully we can catch the end of the summer for a couple of blats round the hampshire countryside

Mark - it's not secured yet, but will be bolted to the scuttle with M6 dome head socket caps, same as the trimmed panels on the top of the tunnel.

The same method Zetec used and described.

I kind of like the bolted look though and will be using top quality stainless fastners so should stay looking good

I was making mine last night. Those have put mine to shame. Will post a piccie when i get home if i get time.

As I am something of a purist (no digital dash things for me, thank you), and old-fashioned (proper gauges have black faces, white numbers and white needles, thank you very much!), I like your dash!!! It looks RIGHT. Now then, where did you get the gauges??? (I'm from the Great White North, and guages like that are rare hereabouts...). Thanks...

hi i think it looks smart, tidy, clear and functional. No glitery bits just a very nice clean job. Excellent

Zetec 7 - the guages are from ETB Instruments and can be bought with a variety of coloured faces and finishes. Not cheap, but not expensive when you see how well made they are either. Excellent customer service and support and very fast mail order service.

HTH Nick

where's the fuel guage?

Well done mate looks first class, will really finish the car off.

Where did you get the 3mm foam from?

Gary

Gary - had the foam out of my dad's workshop, but you can get it from Woolies (doa google for woolies for trim) or you may get it from a fabric shop too.