this is the final result: <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://images50.fotki.com/v1523/photos/2/206474/5125169/DSC00648-vi.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 360px; height: 255px;" src="http://images50.fotki.com/v1523/photos/2/206474/5125169/DSC00648-vi.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> heres how it was done: although this project might have been completed in a few days, other projects required my attention, and as a result this project was ongoing for about 6 months.. It all began when I bought this funky instrument cluster in March . the seller said it was a <a target="_blank" href="http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280305981036" onclick="openWindowATC('http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280305981036','','650','800','', windowNamer('http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280305981036'));return false;">1937 nash dash </a>however I am not 100% certain this is accurate. the auction ended with a low final price because the glass jewel was busted. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://images110.fotki.com/v1539/photos/2/206474/5125169/DSC00638-vi.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://images110.fotki.com/v1539/photos/2/206474/5125169/DSC00638-vi.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> at first I wasn't quite certain what I would do with it.. but when I received it I quickly realized that I needed to somehow work it into the recycled 40 ford woodie. because I had a fiberglass 40 dash, the choice to modify it was easy.. as the glass dash was otherwise junk to me anyhow.. luckily the radius of the new panel and the fiberglass repro dash were pretty close.. here is an early photo of the cluster installed in the dash. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://images28.fotki.com/v978/photos/2/206474/5125169/DSC00192-vi.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://images28.fotki.com/v978/photos/2/206474/5125169/DSC00192-vi.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> obviously a solution to the broken glass needed to be developed. on afternoon I shared my dilemma with one of my friends, and he suggested that if the part weren't "bent" that it could be laser engraved.. I knew how to unbend it.. so instantaneously a light went on! the next morning I asked my friend who teaches black and white photography to make a print for me.. this is the result. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://images49.fotki.com/v1520/photos/2/206474/5125169/DSC00640-vi.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://images49.fotki.com/v1520/photos/2/206474/5125169/DSC00640-vi.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://images50.fotki.com/v1530/photos/2/206474/5125169/DSC00642-vi.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://images50.fotki.com/v1530/photos/2/206474/5125169/DSC00642-vi.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> this was created by "taping" the photo paper to the inside of the original glass lens and then exposing the paper as if the original lens was the "negative" after I had the black and white photo I scanned the the flat image into Photoshop where I did some quick touch up and minor "modifications" to the design.. a few days later I emailed the document (saved as a bitmap) to my friends Lorraine and Brian at Crown Trophy in Conshohocken, PA who took my bitmap and laser engraved it. a few days later, I picked up the finished parts.. because this wasn't a rush job, and because I had a million other projects going on I am only now finishing the assembly, however I must mention that Lorraines work is Stellar.. I forgot to take a photo of the plexi before I bent it, but I was able to create the appropriate radius with a heat gun and some patience here is the finished PLEXIGLAS lens with the correct radius <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://images116.fotki.com/v712/photos/2/206474/5125169/DSC00645-vi.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://images116.fotki.com/v712/photos/2/206474/5125169/DSC00645-vi.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> the Plexiglas now fits into the original bezel that is glassed into the dash and the remainder of the cluster bolts into the rear. this is the result.. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://images50.fotki.com/v1523/photos/2/206474/5125169/DSC00648-vi.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 360px; height: 255px;" src="http://images50.fotki.com/v1523/photos/2/206474/5125169/DSC00648-vi.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> although it cant be seen from this photo the white faced gauges are new units mounted behind the cluster bezel, they are clearly visible from the front.. the speedometer head came from a jeep commando instrument cluster I had around.. and I used a race car harness disconnect to allow the dash to be removed easily.. I should be able to do a final install soon!
I know the 38 Nash Lafayette gauges look like that , not sure if the 37 is the same....looks excellent , good job.
actually I couldn't justify cutting a steel dash for a instrument cluster that cost me 26.50! but.. I have 2 steel dashes, should the look get old.. this tech was intended to help others consider this process.
Great work that's what makes NOT restoring a car fun! Once it's in the car who cares if it's steel or glass, it'll just look great.
thanks! the wife and I took our first official ride last night.. about 2 miles.. trans shifted great, engine quieted down after 2nd gear, and everything looks good for the "legal stuff" on monday.
Glad to see you got her on the road, let us know how ya make out with the legal stuff, ya know how PA is. later shawn
Wow ... that opens up a whole new realm of possibilities customizing your own dash panel out of plexi. Very cool.
GIGanator.. I had to exercise some restraint, I wanted the look to be somewhat subdued because the dash is only a small part of the entire project. I know I could do some cool stuff with photoshop, and others should be able to blow away any available aftermarket gauge. . I will duplicate this process on another car soon.. and it will be more "wild"
The Jalopy Journal
