Customs Help with a mild custom Dash UPDATED PAINT PICS

Just looking for some inspiration.. Ive got my seats out to be recovered so I thought it would be a good time to finish the dash. Im getting ready to paint it, and am looking for pics/ideas for mine.
This is what it looks like now:


Im thinking about filling the center (taking out the copper piece), and filling the other holes,
or leaving it and making it fold down for acces to switches, heat/ac controls, etc.

Anybody got any pics of thier dash in a similar car?

Heres the car as it sits now..

 

Bump for the morining crew,

I spent some time last night on Rik's site, but it seems like most of the pics I can find of old customs dont have much dash work other than a cover.

 

What you've got is hard to beat.

The fold down panel is a great idea, especially if chromed.
It may be overdoing it, but many old customs also had chromed glove box doors (for the "view" ). Yours might look good painted, with a nice dragon.

I think the best change would be to swap out the steering wheel for a 1959 Impala unit. (Check the 'Bay).

 

Here is mine!

 

I like the flip up idea. I did it on my 40 car dash in my 40 pickup.

 

I like that teardrop finned center piece. Maybe use that to influence any style changes you make

 

That center spot would be a good place to hide a modern radio , etc. etc.

I would hinge the bottom , that way your not trying to hold it open, when you need it. Plus depending on how you hinge it it be a cool tray for your stuff at the local Sonic.

I did a Merc. awhile back and just tig'd some hardware store hinges on the bottom and screwed them fast thru the dash bottom. I bolted the hinges to check fit , etc. before I welded them.

 

Heres mine before and after, were still gonna comeback with candy green over everything silver. I kept the grill becuase Im just going to run an mp3 hookup with some well hidden speakers.

 

Thanks for the replies guys!

I think Im gonna have the center flip down, and get it rechromed. Theres a ton of room behind it for all my "modern" junk I dont want to show. I definately keeping the center piece, I havent seen any like it, since mine was a business coupe it didnt have the clock. Ill get it chromed too. Ill try to post pics as I make the mods...

 

Heres what I did with the dash:

I filled all the switch holes, moved the light swicht to the left side of the steering column:

 

Very cool. Looking good.

 

I would leave the finned clock delete, cuz fins are cool. And that is a 61 chevy steering wheel, not a 58-60. Almost as cool, though.

 

Just go through painting about an hour ago...

 

beautiful paint color.

some lighter tone of that color stripes would look bitching.

 

great job. What is the color??? Custom mix or out of the book?

 

nice work!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Stock ford color : vintage copper pearl

 

i just did the dash in my 52... I LOVE that copper color, great job... cant wait to see it finished!

 

since it's a mild custom, how about masking the insert area and fading a little candy brown softly along the top edge. then possibly a little bit of cream and /or ggold pinstriping. My 2 cents . Or,, leave it alone , it still looks good .

 

Im gonna have to do something about the steering wheel now!

 

Now the dash delete finned panel sticks out kinda funny. It needs to match the panel below it. Love the color, Nice work!

 

the panel below will be chromed when my money tree blooms!

Thanks