Dash possibilities ...

Max Welton · Posted: Mon Jul 25, 2011 9:41 pm Post subject: Dash possibilities ...

So I'm at a crucial stage with my 67. Not concerned with keeping it stock, but I do like a vintage look.

The speaker area has been filled in and smoothed out. The upper surface will be painted, no pad. I'm looking for ideas for the gauge-panel.

I do have a beautiful 67 speedo and fuel gauge but no clock. That center section might host a set of engine gauges (OT, OP, dual CHT for #1 and #3), but I really want them to match the speedo and fuel gauge.

I also have 2 very nice the 67 only ignition switches, so that feature is staying.

I like analog gauges. What is available that would match the stock VDO gauges?

Other ideas?

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

Max
_________________
1967 Type-3 Fastback
Under the Knife https://shoptalkforums.com/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=151582
Home Stretch https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=767836

akokarski · Samba Member Joined: May 24, 2004 Posts: 2098

Hi Max,

I've put gauges into glove box door using bullet turn signal housing from a beetle as pods. It's in the beetle though. There might be enough real estate to fit them on ghia glove box. They fit perfectly into those "pods". If you ever decide to get rid of them, all you have to do is swap the door.

Just a thought...

Anton

sactojesse · Posted: Mon Jul 25, 2011 10:43 pm Post subject:

North Hollywood Speedometer makes a 52 mm (2 1/16") tachometer that fits into the factory clock hole on 67-71 ghias:

http://nhspeedometer.com/vw/1.htm

Then mount some VDO Series 1 gauges below the dash. They have a chrome bezel and white needle, which is a pretty close match to stock. Here's what I did w/ my 66 convertible:

Both gauges are 2 1/16"/52 mm. One is a VDO Series 1 80 psi oil pressure gauge. The other is a VDO Cockpit CHT gauge that I had North Hollywood Speedometer convert to a Series 1 look. (VDO doesn't make a Series 1 CHT gauge.)
_________________
1966 Karmann-Ghia convertible

Max Welton · Posted: Mon Jul 25, 2011 10:54 pm Post subject:

akokarski · Samba Member Joined: May 24, 2004 Posts: 2098

sure here you go

trick is to use either both left or both right. I had to grind down bases so they are flat and I used hole saw to cut holes then file it to size. you will need to shave holes for the screws or use em to mount, although I don't think there is enough space to put screws etc once the gauges are in...

These are fairly crappy photos, but should give you an idea of what it would look like. Notice how gauges are just at home in those pods. The ID is just right. oh and you end up with gauges that are pointing right at you.

Cheers,
Anton

fugawibill · Posted: Tue Jul 26, 2011 7:54 am Post subject:

It's a 1970, and a work in progress, but my basic solution, including a 1968 beetle speedometer.

[/img]
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70 Ghia Coupe: http://picasaweb.google.com/fugawibill/1970KarmannGhia#

retrowagen · Samba Member Joined: October 11, 2004 Posts: 1857

I arrived at this solution for the slightly clunky '67 I used to own:

VDO "Cockpit" gauges, set in the factory locations and in an aftermarket (Zender brand, made in Germany) DIN-blockoff molded to fit three 52mm gauges, slightly angled towards the driver. A '68 Beetle speedo/fuel gauge (as pictured in the post above) would have looked more harmonious in my car.
_________________
David Ruby
President, Karmann-Ghia World Club

Max Welton · Posted: Tue Jul 26, 2011 10:24 am Post subject:

Nice and clean fugawibill. I have that same steering wheel.

Anton, what a cool idea! How did you handle the wiring on the inside of the door? I want to keep the glove box usable.

Max
_________________
1967 Type-3 Fastback
Under the Knife https://shoptalkforums.com/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=151582
Home Stretch https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=767836

fugawibill · Posted: Tue Jul 26, 2011 11:18 am Post subject:

Gauge angle rings.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/ATM-2234/
_________________
70 Ghia Coupe: http://picasaweb.google.com/fugawibill/1970KarmannGhia#

Max Welton · Posted: Tue Jul 26, 2011 4:29 pm Post subject:

Yep.

Now, in terms of function, these are the type of CHT gauges I'd like to use. Temperature compensated and with stated accuracy specification.

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/inpages/dUALCHT_gauges2.php

But of course the look is all wrong. I wonder if the gauge can be modified for the aesthetics that would be closer to the stock VW gauges? At least a chrome bezel. I guess it would cost me $100 to find out. Wink

But I could go with a dual CHT, OT and OP gauges configured in a "V" in dash center where the radio would have been. This would echo the "V" of the stock gauges. Hmmm.

Max
_________________
1967 Type-3 Fastback
Under the Knife https://shoptalkforums.com/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=151582
Home Stretch https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=767836

akokarski · Samba Member Joined: May 24, 2004 Posts: 2098

Max Welton · Posted: Tue Jul 26, 2011 5:53 pm Post subject:

So what other sound systems are available?

Everything at the local Best Buy will look out of place. Yuck.

How about some sort of short-wave radio? Hmmm.

Max
_________________
1967 Type-3 Fastback
Under the Knife https://shoptalkforums.com/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=151582
Home Stretch https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=767836

c21darrel · Posted: Tue Jul 26, 2011 6:09 pm Post subject:

Have you seen the 3 gauge cluster that goes in the OG radio hole made by fast-fab. No cutting needed, saw at a show, looked pretty nice!

Max Welton · Posted: Tue Jul 26, 2011 6:16 pm Post subject:

This?

http://www.fastfabonline.com/gauge-mounting-panel.html

Not bad. It has possibilities.

Max
_________________
1967 Type-3 Fastback
Under the Knife https://shoptalkforums.com/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=151582
Home Stretch https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=767836

Max Welton · Posted: Tue Jul 26, 2011 6:41 pm Post subject:

In the hundreds of pictures I've taken, this is the only one of my dash (pre-teardown) I could find. I wonder what the stock gauges would look like with black bezels?

Max
_________________
1967 Type-3 Fastback
Under the Knife https://shoptalkforums.com/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=151582
Home Stretch https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=767836

danielsan · Posted: Tue Jul 26, 2011 7:52 pm Post subject:

Please ignore the cracked dash Smile

I made a oil temp gauge out of a fuel gauge, a vdo oil temp gauge and a vdo 'Oel Temp' face. The hard part is getting it look right at night. The green gels that come with vdo gauges are a completely different color than stock.

The stock gauges have a distinctive green paint on the inside and the plastic face of the gauges is frosted. The light shines, reflects off the paint, then reflects off the grey metal backing and is then filtered through the frosting the gauge face. That's why the stock gauges seem to have a soft 'glow' to them.

Any modern gauge with a clear lens will look bright at night and you will be temped to look at it more than then the speedo. I put a bit of plastic film between oel temp face and the grey backing plate that I 'frosted' by sanding and crumpling. Came out pretty nice and the color is 99 % similar to the others.

Also, if you change one you need clean the glass -- front and back of the other two or it will look out of place.

OLD VW NUT · Posted: Tue Jul 26, 2011 10:34 pm Post subject:

fugawibill · Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2011 9:37 am Post subject:

I haven't noticed any problem yet with the gas gauge, as it does seem to register. The Ghia won't be drivable until later this month, so I haven't tested it with a full tank. I did shave the filler door, so am using an earlier tank.

The beetle speedometer/gas gauge mounts from the back, so you will need to weld two mounting studs on the back of the dash. If you don't want to cut the dash, as I didn't, it will be recessed, as you can see from my photo. There are additional pictures on the link in my signature. Good luck.
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70 Ghia Coupe: http://picasaweb.google.com/fugawibill/1970KarmannGhia#

c21darrel · Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2011 12:04 pm Post subject:

@Max, Yes thats the fast-fab holder i was talking about, good chance thats what im going to use. I think the chrome ashtray in 66/67 is super cool piece and will keep it in place... i wont have the lower center of the dash available.

OLD VW NUT · Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2011 3:55 pm Post subject:


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