BUILD-OFF CHALLENGE: Tygaboy's '75 LS3, It seemed a good idea at the time... Options

[markhoward]

Aubergine is an enticing thought!

[Retroracer]

Interesting resource for this sort of decision:

https://rennbow.org/colorwiki

FYI

- Tony

[tygaboy]

With a potential major direction change on the Ferrari build, I moved it to the trailer and got back to work on the LS car. I wanted to see if I could improve the look of the interior panels so gave a go to creating "raised area" grills. As usual, this is proof of concept to get a look that I like.
If you look closely you'll see each one is slightly different. It took a few tries of holding the mesh over a large socket and hammering a slightly smaller one down into the bigger one. I ended up finding a stepped spacer that happened to be the right size so now it's just a matter of making a bunch more and fixing them to the rear of the panel.

[Cairo94507]

That looks bitchin' Chris. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[tygaboy]

Continuing on with the interior, I got the console cover pieces back from powder coat this morning and immediately went to work. Major milestone: this marks the first use of the CherryMax structural rivets. These retain a solid steel core and are far stronger in every way than the usual pop rivet. No kill like overkill, as I always say! Yes, it's a detail many will miss, thinking they're plain ol' hardware store rivets... but you'll know how cool they really are! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/shades.gif)

I just love they way they look against the matte black finish and couldn't be happier with how this piece has turned out. It's one that makes me think "I can't believe I made this." (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wub.gif)

[mikey63]

This looks great! Those little details make the difference. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/drooley.gif)

[mgarrison]

So...Dang...COOL! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/pray.gif)

[tygaboy]

With all the new lovely happening, I had to do something about the fact that the wiring could be seen through the mesh in the footrest panel - see post 4283, above.

I've only sheathed the part of the harness that runs to the fuse panel but as you can see, it totally disappears those wires. Just what you'd expect (not) to see! I'll get the rest finished soon then go after the floor covering.

I'm really enjoying this interior spiff-up effort. It's instant gratification when a freshly finished part gets installed. Plus, it's totally "clean" work, vs that messy ol' fab stuff. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/happy11.gif)

[tygaboy]

The console and floor panels look so nice they make the dash hard to even look at (IMG:style_emoticons/default/barf.gif) so I went after making the face panel.
My approach is always to measure as best I can then make a test piece(s) to validate fit. In this case, I didn't have enough material to go all the way across so decided to make it only wide enough to cover all but the glove box area.
I'm quite proud of the fact that I paid enough attention that I accounted for the upper dash fasteners - hence that notch in the upper right.
And yes, this piece is much taller than the factory part that's covered in basket weave because I wanted it to be trapped by the upper and lower dash pads and not risk being able to see an exposed edge.

[tygaboy]

Test piece, indeed! I figured it'd be a long shot that I'd get the correct fit around the steering column and I was correct. I need to make a couple small updates to get that top shape's reveal to be consistent around the column.
But pretty good, otherwise.

[tygaboy]

I couldn't resist a quick mock-up, just to get a feel for the look. Note that the panel is raw and looks crappy. It'll get hit with 80 grit on a DA for a nice, consistent finish, then some semi gloss clear to protect it.
As I mentioned long ago, with all the switch gear on the wireless steering wheel panel, I wanted to all as much nothingness to the dash as I could.

I'm loving the look. So much so that I found an early lower dash pad so I can eliminate the dash vents. I'll then extend the aluminum panel all the way out and have even more nothingness! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/aktion035.gif)

[tygaboy]

I couldn't resist a quick mock-up, just to get a feel for the look. Note that the panel is raw and looks crappy. It'll get hit with 80 grit on a DA for a nice, consistent finish, then some semi gloss clear to protect it.
As I mentioned long ago, with all the switch gear on the wireless steering wheel panel, I wanted to add as much nothingness to the dash as I could.

I'm loving the look. So much so that I found an early lower dash pad so I can eliminate the dash vents. I'll then extend the aluminum panel all the way out and have even more nothingness! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/aktion035.gif)

[Cairo94507]

Looking good Chris. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[Dion]

The dash and the console look fantastic. I love that smooth dash appearance. It’s like a Porsche concept car. Well of course it is! It’s Chris’ concept (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)
Brilliant stuff Chris.

[tygaboy]

Almost there with the reveal around the column. A couple more tweaks and I'll call this done. Those scratches just outside the cut is the torch dragging due to my settings being not quite right. The good news is they'll sand out.

[tygaboy]

And here's the full width panel, ready for the early, lower dash pad - hence the view of the panel through the vent locations.

But this is the look I wanted: digital dash, ashtray delete upper pad and nothing on the dash face. Now to work out a finish I like and see if I can incorporate a similar look into the door cards.

[mikey63]

Looks good Chris! Clean and simple. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/piratenanner.gif)

[Dion]

How about anodizing the dash panel a colour. A cool blue or get rad with purple or red (IMG:style_emoticons/default/aktion035.gif) just ideas.

[76-914]

I couldn't resist a quick mock-up, just to get a feel for the look. Note that the panel is raw and looks crappy. It'll get hit with 80 grit on a DA for a nice, consistent finish, then some semi gloss clear to protect it.
As I mentioned long ago, with all the switch gear on the wireless steering wheel panel, I wanted to add as much nothingness to the dash as I could.

I'm loving the look. So much so that I found an early lower dash pad so I can eliminate the dash vents. I'll then extend the aluminum panel all the way out and have even more nothingness! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/aktion035.gif)

Sleek! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[NS914]

Continuing on with the interior, I got the console cover pieces back from powder coat this morning and immediately went to work. Major milestone: this marks the first use of the CherryMax structural rivets. These retain a solid steel core and are far stronger in every way than the usual pop rivet. No kill like overkill, as I always say! Yes, it's a detail many will miss, thinking they're plain ol' hardware store rivets... but you'll know how cool they really are! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/shades.gif)

I just love they way they look against the matte black finish and couldn't be happier with how this piece has turned out. It's one that makes me think "I can't believe I made this." (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wub.gif)

This looks amazing Chris! Wow!!!