1962 falcon instrument panel

[neongreen]

So here's my conundrum: I am building my 62 falcon and I don't feel the stock instrument panel will suffice. I have very little faith it will give me the information or the accuracy I want.
https://www.pro-touring.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=112777&stc=1
Stock Instrument Panel

The gauges I need are as follows
tachometer
speedometer
fuel level
oil pressure
water temp
boost

Most guys in this situation will just make a new panel with holes in it for universal gauges. There's nothing wrong with that, but I really don't like the aesthetics of that method. I don't think the instrument panel shape lends itself well to having several round gauges in it. When you take that approach I feel it screams "parts catalog" and I'd like to avoid that. I'm going for a quasi-factory look. I want it to look as if in an alternate universe, this could have been factory.

https://www.pro-touring.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=112778&stc=1
Common methods for adding gauges
https://www.pro-touring.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=112779&stc=1

So I tried to find a way to integrate all these into my dash with a congruent design. I think I'll mount a small to medium sized tach on the steering column. At first I wasn't too keen on this idea, but I think it looks period correct to mount a tach on the column so long as the face matches the instrument panel decently well.
The 100 mph speedo is not sufficient, and I think a 140 mph speedo would add functionality without overdoing it. I could have a new electronic speedometer unit embedded into the panel. The temp gauge on the right would be replaced by a prominent boost gauge. I will probably run about 20# boost, so I think a 30# gauge where the needle points straight up at 20# would be nice. On the left I want a tri gauge as seen on vintage Porsche dashes. This would contain fuel level, water temp and oil pressure. voltage would be monitored by an idiot light.


https://www.pro-touring.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=112780&stc=1
Concept instrument panel

What are your thoughts? Have any of you had something like this done? I hear Classic Instruments can do it, are there any other vendors?

[LowFast]

I agree with you, the "concept" panel looks the best. Also check out Dakota Digital as they just released Falcon clusters.

http://www.dakotadigital.com/index.cfm/page/ptype=product/product_id=984/category_id=434/mode=prod/prd984.htm

[neongreen]

I agree with you, the "concept" panel looks the best. Also check out Dakota Digital as they just released Falcon clusters.

http://www.dakotadigital.com/index.cfm/page/ptype=product/product_id=984/category_id=434/mode=prod/prd984.htm


Yeah I checked those out and they are definitely not the look I'm going for. Dakota does have some really good looking universal clusters http://www.dakotadigital.com/index.cfm/page/ptype=product/product_id=878/category_id=416/mode=prod/prd878.htm, but they also don't match my theme.

[Munssey]

Autometer has a custom shop you might want to get a hold of and see what their options are. i hear they can do some nice custom pieces.

[creamydime]

i know this is an old thread but wondering how you come out on this im getting ready to start a 62 squire wagon pt project

[neongreen]

i know this is an old thread but wondering how you come out on this im getting ready to start a 62 squire wagon pt project

Thread resurrection: I have decided to make my own gauge internals based on an arduino micro-controller. I currently have a working prototype, but have been busy with other aspects of the car.

[neongreen]

Back from the dead again:
I did it. And now I'm doing it for other people too. If by chance you are interested, shoot me an email at greenflavoredstuff AT gmail DOT COM.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYwWnLlwIHE