BUILD-OFF CHALLENGE: Tygaboy's '75 LS3, It seemed a good idea at the time... Options

[Retroracer]

Chris - your clean dash look is somewhat reminiscent of the 60's era 911 / 912 "brushed" dashes; which had an elegant "911" or "912" insignia added at the far RHS (see pics). Might break up the slab look a little - in a classy way.





You could have a "914" or "914-8" logo perhaps CNC'ed....? As ever, just a thought.

- Tony

[tygaboy]

@Retroracer Tony - great minds! Way back when, @Mueller Mike made a "914-6.2" badge for me and I've been debating if it should be Mike's, the Speedster dash "Porsche" badge, ordered yesterday (pic below) or nothing. Maybe I can come up with a way to swap them on and off to suit my mood.

[tygaboy]

Early, no vent lower dash pad is here and test fit. I LOVE it!!
And what better than an initial test of @Mueller Mike's wonderful badge? Thanks again, Mike!

Note the dash panel hasn't been treated to any sort of finish and in its current state, it doesn't contrast enough with Mike's badge. I think I want to darken the dash panel and leave the badge as is - in raw state.

Regardless, I can't get enough of how things look with the no vent pad. Sharp eyes will notice it's missing that little chrome edge strip. I'm not yet sure how I might address that, or if I can treat that edge and run with out it. So as always, still a way to go. But overall, it's turning out even better than I'd hoped.

[Retroracer]

That dash & badging look like the dogs bollocks. As the English say.

- Tony

[tygaboy]

How the sausage is made... Once everything about this dash panel is settled, I'll powder coat the dash frame. I'm posting this pic because a couple folks have indicated they're interested in doing something similar so I wanted to point out one item you'lll likely want to address.

If you want the panel to sit flush against the dash, you have to elimintate all the stampings that are proud of the main surface. That includes the glove box lock stamping, assuming you want to blank that, too.
I used a knock-out punch to remove the raised stamped areas then went back with a hammer and dolly to address any high/low spots to get a good fit.

Don't say I didn't warn you! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/poke.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[tygaboy]

I hit the panel with 80 grit on a D/A sander then gave it a coat of hardware store semi-gloss clear. It looks so much more finished and gives a nice, subtle contrast to Mike's badge. I'll run it like this for a while and see if I'm motivated to change the finish.

[tazz9924]

You can do a brushed aluminum look by going up and down the metal to give it a “grain” with grey scotch brite. another good finish option

[tygaboy]

On to the door panels where I worked up a couple initial test pieces. And no, they aren't to final size. Just so I can see things in real life to help get me thinking.

How about an upholstered panel with a metal insert?

I have plans that do away with the door latch so don't worry, I didn't forget about that.

[tygaboy]

Or a metal panel with an upholstered insert? I actually started with this one and adjusted some of the dimensions to cut that panel in the pic above. This one needs a lot of tuning to get it to fit on the door. Plus, as you can see, a few of the dimensions are off - like the lower edge of the opening needs to be lowered to have a consistent relationship with the door bar, but again, it's where I started.

[nivekdodge]

Either one is gorgeous

[Mueller]

I forgot about that emblem, it’s been awhile. Car is looking great as usual.

[cassmcentee]

Lookeeen' Gooood

Sure you've thought about it...
More Metal = More Noise?

[Cairo94507]

I like the look of option 1 better, how it follows the roll cage lower bar looks bitchin. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[tygaboy]

Lookeeen' Gooood

Sure you've thought about it...
More Metal = More Noise?

@cassmcentee - Not that this build is about ultimate comfort, but I'm sure it'd be noisier. At this point, I'm with @Cairo94507 Michael and will focus on the metal insert version. Plus, then I won't have to spend all that time getting the overall panel to fit the door! You know me: always taking the easy way out! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

And as @Retroracer Tony noted in a separate conversation, that panel is a bit plain and will be treated to a stamping to give it a bit more interesting and less "hey look, a plain, flat panel!" look.

But first, I have to finalize the custom latch so I can eliminate the factory assembly.

[Superhawk996]

You know me: always taking the easy way out! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

What happened to Singer +/- better than yesterday?

Simple metal dash and door panels? Specially’ after you posted that beautiful carbon SV650 tank? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/WTF.gif)

We’ll let you slide for now but will be expecting a carbon fiber interior as the real deal long term plan (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

Seriously though - love the build. Keep the good work coming!

[tygaboy]

In keeping with the "no kill like overkill" model, I wired up the USB charger so when I need to remove the console cover, I pull out the cup holder, disconnect the seat heater switches and this plug and out comes the cover.

[tygaboy]

And speaking of console cover, I was able to compete everything in the tunnel and install the finished cover.
First, let me credit @buddyV Robert, who heavily influenced my decision to go with these colors and finishes. Robert kept saying "what you want are 'Shades of Black.'"
Let me just say: pics simply don't do it justice.

All the black sheet metal is the same matte powder coat finish but you can see how it looks different, depending on the viewing angle, if the part is in shadow or not, etc. I like how it compliments/contrasts with the gloss black of the shifter and the tone of the seats.
The silver touches (rivets, grommets, shifter lever, aluminum dash) all play nicely together, too. And I'm really happy the overall raw and mechanical look with the exposed shifter and its related components.

And don't get worked up about the door panel. It's my typical "work in progess". I'll run it like this for a bit and see what I like/don't like about it and adjust from there. It may end up going away in favor of an upholstered panel that same shape, maybe with an RS pleated pattern in there... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif)

[tygaboy]

Or this dash badge? Does it look too fancy? Mike's seems a better fit for the vibe of the car. Nice that I can just swap them out for one another.

[Krieger]

I like the door panels black with no metal panels. Goes with the shades of black idea. Your window cranks give little sparkles of contrast. The metal panels make it a little too busy.

[dstudeba]

Or this dash badge? Does it look too fancy? Mike's seems a better fit for the vibe of the car. Nice that I can just swap them out for one another.

Though I love the Porsche badge on its own, the styling of the 914 badge fits your interior much better in my opinion.