How To Build a Trick Dashboard

With the paper transferred to the back of the sheetmetal, the approximate location of the socket was revealed so we could cut an access hole.

This is the finished gauge bracket with the access holes, studs, and gauges installed. This is the time to test-fit the bracket in the car. Dash braces, wiring, and ducting are going to get in the way. Make additional cuts before you finish the details.

The front side of the gauge cluster was painted with Krylon Semi-Flat black and reassembled to check for fitment. This is actually a cool look, but we wanted to match the accents inside the car with a two-tone silver.

The blue tape represents the parts of the dash that are to remain black. The entire panel was then painted with Dupli-Color Instant Chrome, dried, and the blue tape was removed. Use clearcoat after the paint dries or it will rub off on your fingers.

Other than some small touch-ups, this is the way the dash was reassembled and put in the car. It probably has $20 worth of art supplies tied up in it.

We found a photo of an AMC American hood ornament and used the color scheme to develop a plan for the glovebox logo.

The glovebox paint job was accomplished using the same reverse masking technique as the main gauge panel. The only difference is that Steve hand-lettered the American insignia with brushes from a hobby shop.

The radio was cleaned up with Meguiar's clear plastic polish and cleaner, and the bezel was painted to match the glovebox and dashpanel. Knobs and fobs were touched up with a small detail paintbrush.

The final touch was to weld a small bracket to the gauge frame to feed an MSD shift light through what was formerly the cigarette-lighter hole. From the front, it looks inconspicuous.