My Track Dash Reconstruction Options

[vintage914racer]

Long story short, a couple of years ago I had premature engine failure on my 914-6 track car. If you're bored you can check out part 1 and part 2 of my engine misadventure. Otherwise, I'll continue on the the regular scheduled dash programming...

We all know how the slippery slope works and before you knew it I had the car apart in hundreds of pieces tackling various "cheaper" projects while amassing engine parts and waiting for the engine builder. One of the projects I wanted to tackle for years was a dash rebuild. You see this car has been a track car since 1972 and judging by the great number of patches to the existing dash I wouldn't be surprised if it was original to the track car build.



At any rate the dash was riddled wtih holes, a complete rats nest of wires and a melange of various metallic and composite (fancy word for cheap plastic) finishes. My goal was to set about cleaning up the aesthetic, going a bit modern on the gauge front and clean up the wiring with a new fused junction box. And so it began...

The first step was making a trip to the local metal supplier. Now, if you're in Minneapolis you shoudl check out Discount Steel. As a complete metal shopping newb I was a little apprehensive, but upon arrival the folks were friendly, overwhelmingly helpful and generally a good lot. Armed with a couple strips of aluminum sheet I headed home.



I proceeded to trace my old dash panel with a Sharpie and cut out a new panel. After some trimming, fitting, trimming, fitting, trimming and re-fitting I settled on a fit that I was happy with. If you're wondering why all the trimming let's just say I'm a measure 12 times and still cut wrong kind of guy.



After a bit of drilling I had the panel mocked up and in place.



Satisfied with the fit I moved on to the next step...

[vintage914racer]

The next step was to build a gauge pod that tiled towards the driver for easy viewing. One of my biggest gripes from the old dash was that I always felt like I had to go out of my way to view the gauges. Looking away from what's ahead of you is not the best approach when you're hurtling down the track at 100mph. So I set off to change that starting with a duct tape and cardboard template.



In the photo you can see my expert (wink wink) drawing skills. The plan was to integrate 2 1/16th diameter VDO gauges for oil pressure, oil temp and volts, then install a Traqmate Traqdash with integrated tach, speedo and other potential plugs-ins. I built the pod with provision for three switches, with two immediately planned for ignition and the fuel pump respectively.

After a trip to Harbor Freight for the finest Chinese sheet metal brake priced under $50 I had my pod bent and ready for drilling.



Once the holes were drilled I fabbed up top and bottom access plates for the pod using some aluminum sheet and aluminum angle that I threaded to accept allens for installatin/removal. I don't have any good shots of the panels so you'll just have to take my word for it. I'd never lie to you (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) I then moved on to step three: upholstery.



This is where my craftmaster wife came in. I'd consider her the MacGyver of home crafting. That's her in the photos. I'd attribute the deer in the headlights look to the razor blade I may have been recklessy waving around or perhaps the 3M spray adhesive that was aimed her way.



Much like before after some trimming, a little more trimming and an extra side of trimming the basketweave vinyl was cut, adhestive sprayed and vinyl applied. If you're intriqued by the sacrificial pink rug under that's my special 914 project rug. It's my way of looking uber masculine when working on my car. It's come in handy laying under the car more than once.



Once applied I used some fancy binder clips that I may or may not have found in the supply closet at work to keep the vinyl in place. Now, if you're worried about me taking supplies from work I'll have you know I returned the clips after I used them. I call it recycling (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)