Hey Y'All,

I figured out my Dash Panel design

Things I wanted: to cover up the oblong hole for the steering stem, to add some dimension to an otherwise typical "Competition" layout, to have symmetry

Constraints: accommodate how the body cowl edge drops down below the dash hoop tube at the corners, fit the "important" gauges into the space behind the steering wheel so that they fit and can be seen easily while driving, make a trim ring design that would fit the "important" gauges as well as be a reasonable size and shape for a glove box on the other side in a symmetric location

Here's what I decided
gauge layout1.jpg

gauge layout2.jpg

gauge layout3.jpg

and here's the result after careful pilot hole location and use of a drill press with hole saw attached (2 1/8" for the small gauges, 4" for the large ones; this has some accommodation for wrapping with leather or adding powder coating, but is not so large either). Much like the other Builder's, I had some trepidation about cutting up a perfectly good blank dash panel...but I bought a spare, so let's get to cuttin!!

Driver's view
Driver's view of gauge layout.jpg

Overall rear view
overall view of gauge layout.jpg

There's more work to do...but it's finally lookin' like somethin'!

Until next time, Happy Building!

Craig C