70 Camaro - Boise, Idaho

[Goosesdad]

Masked and ready for Lizard Skin. Decided to use it on roof, not sure if I will use it elsewhere.


Done.

[waynieZ]

Wow they look great! Amazing what difference being one color makes. Nice.

[Goosesdad]

Final fitment test for these rear panels, headliner and a-pillar. Using a little DEI insulation on top the Lizard Skin, mainly just because there is room between the headliner and roof structure because of the ribs... , cheap/lightweight insurance imho.



Can't see it in these pics but when I glass'd up the flanges on the panels, I left room for the suede material so the panels continued to meet up flush after the suede was glued down. Should be clean!




The bottom of the a-pillar's are just left hanging for now, they will get integrated into the 'glass dash/door panel soon.

[bkswede]

Scanned quickly through your build thread ... there’s a ton of detail here and it’s amazing the work you’re doing! Really incredible job!


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[syborg tt]

Wow, I can’t wait to see the next set of pictures.


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[Beechy]

John.....great vision as usual

It's hard to see from your side-on image but it seems you have three separate curves at the moment??? I would make the instrument mounting surface as one continuous curve (in top view).

Because each instrument has a flat mounting flange, and you main surface is curved.....this is a negative curve in your case, you have to raise or depress the surface locally around each shape. This will look much sweeter than having the main surface stopping and starting.
Attached is my Camaro instrument fascia which is one-piece vacuum formed ABS over a plywood/bondo male mold. You can see that each penetration has its own flat flange about 3/16" wide. The radii around the holes are much softer than you will be able to achieve in fiberglass, but I had to go that route for the vacuum form material to flow into the flat areas. Top left air outlet needed raising AND lowering the attaching flange because of the complex (compound) curve at the end of the dash.
BTW....that grill and surround are a commercial stainless steel sugar shaker like a donut store would have.....shhhh.....our secret

Also my main crash pad surface is a positive curve (with the center higher than the ends) ...... The central warning light area was then machined flat, the border trenched out, and the depressed flanges go deeper again. NEVER CREATE A FLAT SURFACE ON AN AUTO BODY because surrounding curves will make it look hollow.......also shrinkage around edges when the resin cures will pull your surface hollow. Even on a long wide panel that you want to look flat (like a fascia between tail lamps for example) should have 3/16" positive or negative curve in it......never use the plywood dead flat.
My instrument pad is loosey goosey compared to what yours can be ....cos mine is racecar and both left hand and right hand were done in TWO EIGHT HOUR DAYS! You will get better definition using gel coat and glass.

[Beechy]

There you go John.....alternative sections thru.

Upper section is obviously instruments square to the car....not ideal visually...also prolly get reflections on outer instruments.

Lower is the best.....faces parallel to base surface. More driver focused.

More options.....mount them deeper......tilt them halfway between the angles shown.

Note: these are NOT the images Marty was looking forward to

[WSSix]

I think the dash layout if great.

I put the tach dead center above the steering column in my car. With the speedo moved down to beside the steering column arch, I could actually see the whole thing. The factory gauges were cut off at the top because of the steering wheel and how I sit in the car.

[Goosesdad]

Thanks Trey and Jim.

Jim - wow - thanks for all that detail...appreciate all you say! I'll send some more pics this weekend. The insert is actually 3 planes, to do what you suggest as having the gauges in direct line of sight. And then the outer trim is curved.

And....doing that CAD, over and above sir!

[bkswede]

Just amazing watching your progress - your creativity and ability are incredible!


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