Now for the arty bit - (don't read this Andy)
I am not keen on the appearance of leather for a dash, or the single horizontal run of the bottom edge of the dash, so have decided to design and make my own. First thing is to decide on the overall shape of the dash panel and the positions of instruments, switches and indicators. The switches will be mounted on a dropped section to mirror the transmission tunnel. The gauge layout is fairly standard. The indicators will be mounted in a semi-circular mount above the steering wheel. The centre minor gauge and red start button is 3mm lower to add some design interest. This is the final layout.(for the sharp eyed, there are not two speedos and five oil pressure gauges - its just easier to draw).
the main switches are round units made by ITW which have a 'sixties' look about them, the two minor pull switches to the left of the steering wheel hole are 'organ stop' types made by SCI. (for information: the red pushbutton is ITW 76-9410/439088R [Farnell 109282] the rotary is ITW 76-9470/439088R [Farnell 241544] and the illuminated pull switch is from 'Rapid' [75-0364]).
There are some constraints on the instrument and switch positions due to the supporting steelwork behind the dash. Also because the dash bottom edge is not resillient material it must have a radius of not less than 19mm to satisfy IVA requirements.
The dash will be two layers of 6mm material, the rear layer will hold the instruments and switches and the front layer will have round chamferred holes around each component to give a recessed appearance. The picture below shows a switch in a piece of 6mm material:
This will be overlaid with a second piece of material with a chamferred hole, I think this looks a lot better.
