[ZumpTA]

Amazing build. It's got the stance and look of the concept, I'm sure it's going to finish just as awesome. The gauges are beautiful, any special plans for the instrument cluster? 24k gold?

 

[ddavis]

Thanks Tony, I originally made a template to cut out of abs on a friends cnc machine. Than I was going to take that and wrap it in real carbon fiber. I decided to hold off for now on it until the car gets more complete and I can make sure I have all the switches accounted for on it. There's also the side of me that still wants to do a custom spun metal bezel. I really need to do a couple of concepts of the interior to figure it out. Works been keeping me extremely busy lately though for a game we are working on so my times been limited.

 

[NOT A TA]

I did a carbon fiber dash for a SEMA car 7-8 years ago. This thread might give you some ideas. http://transamcountry.com/community/index.php?topic=31560.0

Been trying to decide what I want to do for my own car this time around. Last time I did it (10-15 years ago) in faux carbon fiber looking sticker material over a modified original wood grain bezel. This time I've eliminated the need for HVAC controls so I need to make a custom bezel. I bought some silver 3M di-noc but it's a lighter shade than I'd like so I'm still looking at options.

You'll realize working with the gauges and bezel that whoever designed the dash did a very good job of gauge placement in relation to steering wheel, drivers position etc. so be very careful if you decide to change gauge positions. IMO it's one of the best dash layouts.

Top pic below is Carbon fiber bezel before installation in SEMA car. Bottom one is my old set up, a combination of original gauges in the pod and cheap Autometer gauges on the right.

 

[ddavis]

Thanks John for the info. That turned out great. The stuff i've mocked up so far will keep the gauges pretty close to the original spaces. I like the original layout and dont really want to change it much. I just have different sizes and some extra things I need to figure out placement for like vintage air, and an indicator panel for warning lights. This was the template i made before getting vintage air. I got a nice indicator panel from nvu that i can hook to sensors for some warning lights. I was playing around with the idea of running it vertically in between the gauges.

 

[ZumpTA]

I hear you. As I let my imagination go, I thought of the OE spun metal bezel, then the spun gold bezel. ...then I thought of just mirror smooth shiny gold.

NOT A TA's carbon fibre bezel looks very nice as well, but my personal opinion on that option is its become too cliche.

Everything is carbon fibre now. Real or fake, it's everywhere. (No offence to Not A TA)

Something out there to consider might be brass. Look at ClickSpring's YouTube channel. He has a Skeleton Clock build using almost all brass. Once polished, it is truly absolutely stunning to look at.

Gold though, what a touch. ...of class.

 

[ddavis]

Hey Tony, thanks for the ideas and partly agree with you about it being overused in the autoworld. Personally I love the look when its used in small amounts & high quality. I got about 20 samples in a while back from various vendors and some looked amazing with my gauges sitting on them. A few other materials I've checked into were black brushed aluminum, silver spun metal and a black spun metal that they use on bentleys sometimes. Its probably going to be something I go back and forth on for a while before deciding on a direction. The car I want monochrome besides the small touches of yellow on the calipers/gauges.

 

[NOT A TA]

I agree on the carbon fiber being "dated" at this point. Those were done long ago before everyone was using it. Funny you mention Bentleys. I was looking at a 2004? and it had a turned aluminum dash like a 2nd gen bird.

I've been trying to decide what to do this time on my bezel for years, still haven't made a decision. My car's more of a minimalist "race car" now so not much left that needs to go in the bezel. I am picky though so I've gotta come up with a design/material that looks good.

 

[cajun]

That car looks great Dustin. can't wait to see her when its done.

 

[1973-Formula]

Nice, thumbs up!

 

[ddavis]

Car made it back from Speedtech safely and into my garage. They did a killer job on it! Really impressed. Still alot left to do, but its getting there. Will try to take some pictures around it this weekend, but for now here you go.

 

[ddavis]

Finally got around to taking some pictures around the car after getting it back

 

[1973-Formula]

Looking great!

 

[ddavis]

I've been slacking on the updates lately so here's a pic dump of some of the recent progress I made on the car.

-Routed,bent,flared cunifer 3/16 line for the rear brake hardlines and routed it to the front.

-Installed Digitail led panels into the tailights to upgrade the old lighting back there

-Relocated the LS coilpacks off the valvecovers down lower for a cleaner look

-Made some custom length spark plug wires to rearch the relocated coils

-Added some Second Skin soundeadening to the floor of the cabin.

-Converted the original automatic pedal setup over to Manual

-Mounted Ron Davis Radiator. Looks great

-Mounted Tilton clutch master

-Installed Wilwood brake master

-Installed Russell rear caliper braided brake lines

-Installed Wilwood brake proportioning valve for biasing brakes fr/rr

-Installed levers to steering column

-Installed NRG quick release on steering wheel

-Installed MOMO steering wheel

-installed trim/lenses on tail, parking, and sidemarker lights

I need to finish running some hardlines from from the front calipers to the master/proportioning valve, than moving onto the fuel system

 

[ddavis]

 

[ZumpTA]

Glad you updated. I lost track of this thread and have been curious of how the build was going. It is coming along beautifully. Very jealous. The work yourself and the shops are doing is amazing. I couldn't imagine a better fit and finish from even the biggest dogs in the custom game. Highly impressed! Keep it going! Maybe i missed this in a previous post, but, what power are you expecting that 418 to put down? Love the headers on it too. Are you going to wrap them?

 

[ddavis]

Glad you updated. I lost track of this thread and have been curious of how the build was going. It is coming along beautifully. Very jealous. The work yourself and the shops are doing is amazing. I couldn't imagine a better fit and finish from even the biggest dogs in the custom game. Highly impressed! Keep it going! Maybe i missed this in a previous post, but, what power are you expecting that 418 to put down? Love the headers on it too. Are you going to wrap them?

Hey Tony, thanks for the kind comments. I'm treating this car as if its the last one I might get to build because it might be after the money I'm putting into this one, LOL :lol: The 418 in there made 630hp at the crank. I've had supercharged/turbo vehicles in the past and didn't really want to do it on this one. I just wanted to keep the setup simple and easy to work on so I kept it all NA. As for the headers, i'm probably just going to leave them the way they are. I dont think their heat will be an issue. Still so much left to do, but just trying to take my time and be patient with it all so it gets done the way I want it the first time. Hardest thing is finding the time, but my 6 year old son loves to assist when he can so its been a great experience so far with him.

 

[billymagg]

Hey Tony, thanks for the kind comments. I'm treating this car as if its the last one I might get to build because it might be after the money I'm putting into this one, LOL :lol: The 418 in there made 630hp at the crank. I've had supercharged/turbo vehicles in the past and didn't really want to do it on this one. I just wanted to keep the setup simple and easy to work on so I kept it all NA. As for the headers, i'm probably just going to leave them the way they are. I dont think their heat will be an issue. Still so much left to do, but just trying to take my time and be patient with it all so it gets done the way I want it the first time. Hardest thing is finding the time, but my 6 year old son loves to assist when he can so its been a great experience so far with him.

Gives vent to some of your incredible talent brother, and what a talent,, I think its probably going to be my favorite second generation resto mod.. love the coil packs of the top of that LS and the gauges,, glad its finally coming together for you...

 

[1973-Formula]

Looks very nice, I like the 350 ci tag on that beast

 

[billymagg]

Hey Tony, thanks for the kind comments. I'm treating this car as if its the last one I might get to build because it might be after the money I'm putting into this one, LOL :lol: The 418 in there made 630hp at the crank. I've had supercharged/turbo vehicles in the past and didn't really want to do it on this one. I just wanted to keep the setup simple and easy to work on so I kept it all NA. As for the headers, i'm probably just going to leave them the way they are. I dont think their heat will be an issue. Still so much left to do, but just trying to take my time and be patient with it all so it gets done the way I want it the first time. Hardest thing is finding the time, but my 6 year old son loves to assist when he can so its been a great experience so far with him.

So Dustin, I drove this "drop dead RED!" 1973 400 Formula today,, seriously owned by an older lady 70+ since 1975,,,,, did a "facelift" about 7 years ago,, I was turned loose with it, but I didn't have the heart to hammer it bro???

 

[ddavis]

So Dustin, I drove this "drop dead RED!" 1973 400 Formula today,, seriously owned by an older lady 70+ since 1975,,,,, did a "facelift" about 7 years ago,, I was turned loose with it, but I didn't have the heart to hammer it bro???

Wow, you should of offered her cash for it :yes . Love hearing stories of people owning these cars for so long. Shes probably hammered it more times than us, haha :lol:

Looks very nice, I like the 350 ci tag on that beast

You know Speedtech had stuck that on after the bodywork. I was debating taking it off, but everybody keeps mentioning that they like the old badging on there. If the sound doesn't give it away, I bet the 335 meats in the back might, LOL :lol: