New dash and gauges question.

[Jim Barnett]

Guys and gals: I am going to replace my dash and the nice AutoMeter Comp gauges that I currently have. I'd appreciate your opinions on whether or not I should go with the custom dash that drops down to the tunnel or the traditional dash (my current dash has a stereo mounted near the tunnel, BUT I can get a hidden stereo installed if I opt for the traditional dash). Also, TriState Motorsports has a six gauge package on sale that has 4" speedo (180 reverse) and 4" 8,000 rpm tach with the other gauges being 2" (I will buy the additional 7th gauge since I believe that the original 427s had 7 gauges). I'd appreciate your opinions on this before I order a dash from Don/Pete and the gauges from TriState. THANKS!!!

[G.R.]

Question one is your car a street car or S/C? If street the drop down is "correct" if S/C the straight dash is ''correct'' if you want period "correctness"(though there were cars that were campaigned with street dashes I believe)

Guess it depends though upon what you want, after all it is your car

[Jack21]

Jim, for the dash on my car, I threw originality out the window.

I wanted it spiffy, not spartan, controls where I'm accustomed to finding them, and in the format I'm accustomed to finding them in without taking my eyes off the road.

Gauges visible with peripheral vision in the priority I needed the information.

For spiffy, I used the CR Deluxe dash that goes down to the tunnel. Then inlayed a 2 piece stained Zebrawood veneer.

Gauges were 5" Autometer 160 speedo, and 8000 RPM tach. Both on top, speedo just to the right of the steering wheel, tach just to the right of that.

Oil, water, volts, and fuel were Autometer Z series 2 1/16" just under speedo and tach.

Sterio down next, and heater controls on bottom.

Ignition switch is from a '70 Ford pickup, and uses a Ford key. (The Lucas switch uses what looks like a footlocker key)

If you're interested in something more LX than SC, I'll send you some pix.

[cobra427mnsi]

Jim, Some frown on a wooden dash because of authenticity. Personally I like wooden dashes. Kind of takes me back to my British sports car days. To each his own. It is your car do what pleases you. If you go to the Classic Roadster II site and click on the photo gallery than on "Paul Hopper", there is a pic of my dash.

Paul

http://www.classicroadsters.com./

[Jim Barnett]

Paul: VERY NICE looking dash!!! I think there's a thread on one of the other CC Forums that has a LOT of wood dash pictures. NOW, if I can only find it. THANKS!!!

Jim