"Gauging" interest in dash bezel kits

[Don Wright]

Hey, Guys - I've had this kit in mind for years and I now have the equipment to offer it at a price that I think will be reasonable. Essentially it's an aluminum bezel that will hold your gauge layout, switches and indicator lights. If you look at the pictures below, you'll see my layout (yours will vary I'm sure) which consists of the aluminum bezel, SS socket headed screws, most are dummies but a few thread into the dash members for holding the assembly in place.

Indicator lights, switches, etc, can now be engraved to label the components as needed or desired. My machine will do that now as well and it looks great.

There would be a 1/2" baltic birch plywood backing plate that would allow tightening the components without distorting the aluminum, also holding the assembly together rigidly.

I'm noodling with how this might work to be efficient. I'm thinking you'd be able to choose from a couple/three different outside shapes. You'd download a pdf (or I'd mail you a copy) of the full size shapes whereby you'd layout your gauges and switches, get the copy back to me, I'd modify the CAD then send it to the machine. You'd have in advance a full size template for cutting the hole in the FFR supplied dash panel so you could continue with the build.

The take-away is that you'd have complete back of dash accessibility during and after the build. I can pull my dash and easily get to relays, timers, barrier strips, etc. Plus you'd have a cool look that you had a hand in laying out.

Don't know about finishes yet, but one option is a machine turned and clear coated finish, plus a selection of powder coats as well. Most likely you'd also have the beaded edge around the perimeter that is good for at least 4 RWHP.

All the best, Don

http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m206/donwright/Dash%20Pictures/TangentDash1_zpse900592d.jpg (http://s105.photobucket.com/user/donwright/media/Dash%20Pictures/TangentDash1_zpse900592d.jpg.html)

http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m206/donwright/Dash%20Pictures/TangentDash2_zpse421064c.jpg (http://s105.photobucket.com/user/donwright/media/Dash%20Pictures/TangentDash2_zpse421064c.jpg.html)

http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m206/donwright/Dash%20Pictures/TangentDash3_zps9284e257.jpg (http://s105.photobucket.com/user/donwright/media/Dash%20Pictures/TangentDash3_zps9284e257.jpg.html)

http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m206/donwright/Dash%20Pictures/TangentDash4_zps4ae39731.jpg (http://s105.photobucket.com/user/donwright/media/Dash%20Pictures/TangentDash4_zps4ae39731.jpg.html)

http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m206/donwright/Dash%20Pictures/TangentDash5_zps1e7302d5.jpg (http://s105.photobucket.com/user/donwright/media/Dash%20Pictures/TangentDash5_zps1e7302d5.jpg.html)

All the best, Don

[Don Wright]

Hey, Guys - If I had to put an price on it now I'd guess somewhere around $130 for a plain aluminum (you finish) to $160 or so for a turned and coated unit, don't hold me to that, but beta guys would most likely get a break for participating and giving feedback. Time - I'd say within a month - hopefully be shipping in time for Christmas.

dawjr

[Carlos C]

Don:

Love the dash insert, but I'm curious about the console panel you built for the transmission tunnel. Besides the aluminum, what other materials did you use to build it? Can you post pictures of it? Would that be something you'd also sale?

What kind of mods did you make to transfer the e-brake to the console? I really like its easy to reach position. Thanks.

Carlos

[Carlos C]

*sell*

[Don Wright]

Don:

Love the dash insert, but I'm curious about the console panel you built for the transmission tunnel. Besides the aluminum, what other materials did you use to build it? Can you post pictures of it? Would that be something you'd also sale?

What kind of mods did you make to transfer the e-brake to the console? I really like its easy to reach position. Thanks.

Carlos

Hey, Carlos - I was afraid of including the picture of the console - unfortunately those are products that are simply too complicated to reproduce and all of that work was done on a MK3.2, the trans tunnel was modified quite a bit to allow for the Radyne shifter dogbone and e-brake attachment, not something that it easily done by most builders. Underneath the aluminum you see is a bit of welded steel framework to attach the panels to. I'll look for pictures of that area during the build, but can't remember any specifics about it at this point. Thanks for the interest.

All the best, Don

[Carlos C]

Don:

Thanks for the reply. I'd still love to see pictures of that art piece for inspiration. Thanks.

Carlos

[Don Wright]

Don:

Thanks for the reply. I'd still love to see pictures of that art piece for inspiration. Thanks.

Carlos

Are you writing about this one?

http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m206/donwright/Roadster%20Build/cobrawork.jpg (http://s105.photobucket.com/user/donwright/media/Roadster%20Build/cobrawork.jpg.html)

[Carlos C]

Don:

I've seen many photos of that car with the "frenched" lights, and love it, but I was referring to the actual console on the previous photos.

Carlos

[Robert Andrew]

That is a great looking instrument panel. A great improvement over the original. Good work.

[Don Wright]

Hey, Guys - well, I was able to make this a working product, you brave souls that are willing to venture into the unknown, follow me. You can read and see all about it here, http://tangentkits.com/Build_Plaques_Dash_Bezel.html

And just to make things sweeter, everything is 10% off now til the 5th, just use the text coupon BLACKFRI to get the discount when checking out.

All the best, Don

[Don Wright]

Hey, Guys - I now have available, for free download, the templates and CAD files for anyone that wants to see what it's all about or experiment a bit.

Go here - http://tangentkits.com/Build_Plaques_Dash_Bezel.html

and scroll to bottom of page.

All the best, Don