Art & Inspiration SEXY NUDE New Dash for '28/'29 & '32 Ford Roadsters, RPUs & Phaetons.

Been working on the '32 Dashes for a while refining them and just sent out the first batch last week- and TODAY my metal guy showed up with the VERY FIRST copy for a '28/'29 Roadster (may fit many more with an upper dash rail like an A). These are aluminum "bolt-in" panels designed for use with the SO-CAL repo Auburn instrument cluster- can be bought smooth too for other applications.
Have to say we were super stoked when we test fit the first one in the car. I realize opinions will differ and the first post after this one will TRADITIONALLY be how hideously ugly it is, but before a keyboard critic bursts my bubble let me share the pics of what I think are some pretty cool pieces of hot rod jewelry. Thanks Jim

Forgive the added words to the ***le to get some people to check out my new baby

 

Jim,

I really like the dash. the picture on the left looks like a 32 roadster (at least it has the cowl vent) and I really like the look!

The picture on the left looks like a 28/29 Roadster but I don't like the Model A upper dash rail though. How about one for 30/31 Model A Coupe.

It lights my fire.

 

Nice work, I would use one!

 

Thanks! Coupes will come after we get a few of these out there. The column should actually go through an owner cut notch in the dash the way the old big cars did it. Thanks Jim

 

There is only one left picture.

 

i dig it.

 

Looks great Jim, might just need one for the Model A rpu if I ever start on it.

 

You know how proud that would make me! You've owned that car for over 30 years- so I know you must dig it! Thanks Jim

 

I`m not sure, Jim....That`s an awfully big and deep piece for such a little car...Have you thought about making the gaps top and bottom about half that size, and making some corners at the side/ bottom to echo the insert? So its not quite so bulky....and doesn`t smash your knees to bits when you get in....Not ragging here, just opening my mouth and thinking out loud...

 

Appreciate the out loud thinking- but no way around that an Aurburn is a BIG panel (why people loved them and I don't like the "shrunken" versions)- and the original dash had that much above (more) and below. The answer is the steering column notched into or through the panel. I have a '35 Chev dash in my Model A that hangs down as far and no problem with any leg or knee room.

 

I did basically what I posted for a 32 Roadster I worked on a couple of years ago. Ardun powered yellow thing. I believe John Mumford owns it now. I tried to integrate the dash and column by making a wider drop that blended into the dash and had a Tach in the drop section. I think colour may help or hinder the bulkiness of the thing...( am I making sense?) By adding something else to the expanse it made some of the sheer size of it `go away` somewhat...

 

Every time I post this it does look "thicker" than it does in the car because of the way it photographs. We had it in the car today and blew away an international crowd of 1 Englishman, 4 Kiwis, 1 Canadian and 2 Yanks! Maybe they were lying to me- but I try not to think so
Thanks Jim

It only hangs into the car in both applications 2-2.5 inches more than a stock '32 dash- but then most running that dash have a 3 inch column drop. This will either tuck the column next to the dash- or up in it. Lots of room for a tach- or cl***y A/C vents from something vintage like a tri-five Chevy.

 

You should know by my posts that Kiwis don`t know ****...(except for Kev..he`s the exception that proves the rule...) Anyway...Good Luck with it, Jim....( why do I feel like Spock or Bones when I write that.....)

 

nice...if I still had my 29 tudor sedan I wouldn't hesitate to pick one up...

 

An Auburn dash cluster has room for all of your switches, so there's really no need for any dash space above and below the cluster. You might try making a shorter version, possibly with the bottom corners meeting (or curving up to) the ends of the rolled section of the cowl instead of hanging down below them.

Dave
http://www.roadsters.com/

 

Great work and a cool idea, but Im in the "its too big" camp.
NOT its too big for the car, its too big for the guage panel.understand?
what reason is there for having it extend so far under the panel? surely it could follow the panel with only a 3/8 " flat section between the bottom of the panel and the swage line?
If I was building a car with an auburn panel, Id buy this, and then chop it up

 

Hey, Paul. Here's a salute to the Kiwis.

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/OoqVgTR8bs8&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/OoqVgTR8bs8&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

 

I like the look. I would think hard about buying one for my '30 coupe build depending on price. But then I'd have to lay out the cash for the auburn panel too, hehehe.

 

jim i'm with the other guys.even though it is a really nice peice,in the pictures it's a little big for my taste.congrats on more new products.

-danny

 

Looks great Jim , will she fit with a stock tank in place? when are they going on the market

 

What, no ***y ****s? But the dash looks really good!

 

+1 on the "too big and bulky" train of thought.

Bring the lower edge up closer to the panel and re-work it to reduce the amount of blank space on the right and left sides. Needs to have a more "graceful" curve ala a '32 Ford dash.

 

I think given the size of the Auburn panel, it looks nice.

 

Pretty cool Big Jim! I like it! Now if I could just bring myself to 'yank the tank' in my current 28 Roadster build..... Are you going to do one for the 30/31?? Tim

 

I'm telling you Danny (and everyone)- you'd have to see it it person- not in one sqeezed digital picture. We can modify the shape and design in the future (they are hand made so not a problem)- but you'd have to see it in the car to really get the feel. Like a 4-inch exhaust Danny- it will grow on you

 

I think the gauges would hit the tank. Going on the market NOW! Look for some press releases and ads soon. For a hand-made piece that you can just bolt-in they are super reasonable. The '32 version has the nutserts welded in place and both have a double plate where the column attaches. The hole for the panel has a formed edge as well for extra strength. Thanks Jim

 

Looks good to me.

I like the one on the left.

Like was said, a little color to blend it in with the body paint will make a big difference.

Y'all have probably seen the longer than usual bobbed fenders on my 31 roadster.
They were white and looked overly large on the red oxide body.
Tossed some red oxide primer over the white.
The red oxide matched the body pretty well and the fenders don't look so out of place or overly large.

You should be able to set your knees under the dash with no probs.
The dashes in both 32's and A's are quite a way forward.

An example:

 

Will it be available withe the flat panel in the center with no gauge holes or dash panel holes punched? I'd like to use something like this for a pair of 5" gauges I have.

If so, how much would something like this set me back?

 

Great example Jay of how much room there is under the dash! I guess if the dash was about a FOOT longer I'd have trouble

Thanks Jim!

It can be purchased plain- with no hole. Dash is $495, insert is $299.

 

Great, isn`t it? Living in Aridzona musta fried your brain, Dave....Attributing an Aussie Film to a Kiwi is worse than almost anything else you could have done.....and who is that old guy sitting in your Roadster, C9?? Hope the dash sales go well, Jim....I hope you are right about the in-the -flesh version versus the photo one...I still think it`s too big, though. Wonder what it would look like in a closed car?...34 Version might look good too....