Aluminum Dash Panel with Autometer Gauges

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Mar 9, 2008 | 06:23 PM
  #1  
I have a 1982 Camaro and the Factory gauges do not do the job anymore. Super Chevy May 2000 Project Silver Streak. Had a Custom Aluminum Dash Panel with Autometer gauges. The company who made it does not appear to be in business anymore. I was wondering if anyone knows of a company that makes them for Third Generation camaros. They look great and would do the job. Any help would be greatly appreciated. The Attached picture is what I am trying get.

Thanks in advance

Aluminum Dash Panel with Autometer Gauges-silver-streak3.jpg  

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Mar 9, 2008 | 06:48 PM
  #2  
Re: Aluminum Dash Panel with Autometer Gauges
i dont know where that specific one is but covans classic makes gauge panel with autometer gauges in them. not very cheap though, i think the least exspensive one it like 500.xx
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Mar 9, 2008 | 07:09 PM
  #3  
Re: Aluminum Dash Panel with Autometer Gauges
I like the look of the factory sized holes, the 5 inch holes would be for speedometer and tach. It gives it a sweet look. The covan gauges for the speed and tach are too small.
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Mar 9, 2008 | 07:16 PM
  #4  
Re: Aluminum Dash Panel with Autometer Gauges
It does'nt look that difficult to make or have made.
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Oct 21, 2008 | 09:37 PM
  #5  
Re: Aluminum Dash Panel with Autometer Gauges
hawks!
http://www.hawksthirdgenparts.com/19...itegauges.aspx
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Oct 22, 2008 | 05:33 PM
  #6  
Re: Aluminum Dash Panel with Autometer Gauges
This is really easy to make. You will need a piece of 1/8" flat stock brushed or satin aluminum, a cut off wheel, a dremel and some patience. A hot rod shop will probably make one for you for a few hundred bucks or so, if you dont want to try it. I will be doing this to my 85 T/A in the next few months. It's really not hard. The hawks piece is really cheesy IMO, (The covans piece is the same) but the price is a good deal if they are electric gauges. Good luck!
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Oct 22, 2008 | 05:46 PM
  #7  
Re: Aluminum Dash Panel with Autometer Gauges
I made mine out of 16 ga sheetmetal.. i drilled all the holes with a hole saw and installed 5- 2 5/8 gauges and 3 3/8 speedo and tach.. i love em but the gauges alone cost $450 so that ready made panel isnt that bad
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Oct 22, 2008 | 06:23 PM
  #8  
Re: Aluminum Dash Panel with Autometer Gauges
Quote:
gotta love a car from 1983 with 0 miles but seriously man that looks sweet, way nicer then the hawks one IMO
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Oct 22, 2008 | 09:54 PM
  #9  
Re: Aluminum Dash Panel with Autometer Gauges
thanks man! haha it doesnt read zero any more though.. i got about 145 mi on the new motor trans combo
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Oct 22, 2008 | 10:51 PM
  #10  
Re: Aluminum Dash Panel with Autometer Gauges
I did mine a little different. I used to work in a cabinet shop makeing counter tops so I used a piece of formica that I glued to the benzel. I mounted my speedo and tach on a 1/4 in. piece of mdf which I screwed on to the holes that are inside of the dash so that they are still recessed and angled like the factory gauges. I bought a set of angled rings for the smaller gauges from JEGS and mounted them on the benzel. Name:  454181_70_full.jpg
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Oct 23, 2008 | 06:20 AM
  #11  
Re: Aluminum Dash Panel with Autometer Gauges
I bought the covans dash kit and it is well made.The only downsidewas the $1100 price tag .That's what i get for being in australia.

Alicat.
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Oct 24, 2008 | 01:34 AM
  #12  
Re: Aluminum Dash Panel with Autometer Gauges
Bddbrd86, Is that a csr gauge on the right? I thought I was the only other one that bought one! LOL.
Brennan, Thats pretty much, how I'm doing my panel. I spent something like 2100.oo on my gauges, but mine are all pro-comp ultra-lites + a dakota digital airbag controller/gauge and autometer D-pic. I went way overboard, but you dont need to, in order to have something that looks great and functions well.
A little hint to anyone doing this: Use an International (Heavy truck or big rig) turn indicator/high beam cluster. They are something like 36.oo new from any international truck dealer. They work great and look factory.
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Oct 24, 2008 | 07:17 AM
  #13  
Re: Aluminum Dash Panel with Autometer Gauges
There's also a guy on ebay who makes panels for pretty cheap. He'll even customize them how you want them. I think it was like $60 shipped.
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Oct 24, 2008 | 07:28 AM
  #14  
Re: Aluminum Dash Panel with Autometer Gauges
Do you happen to have his ebay name?
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Oct 24, 2008 | 07:49 AM
  #15  
Re: Aluminum Dash Panel with Autometer Gauges
Quote: Do you happen to have his ebay name?
Here's a link to the post:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...40017&viewitem=
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Oct 24, 2008 | 08:45 AM
  #16  
Re: Aluminum Dash Panel with Autometer Gauges
thank you very much.
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Oct 24, 2008 | 08:48 AM
  #17  
Re: Aluminum Dash Panel with Autometer Gauges
If you buy one, let me know how it turns out. I was thinking of buying one.
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Oct 25, 2008 | 07:08 PM
  #18  
Re: Aluminum Dash Panel with Autometer Gauges
i have that ebay aluminum panel, its 1/8in thick, mine is not polished or anything like that, i plan to wrap it in vinyl like the piece on the pass side of the dash where the map pocket can go... i figure so long as all the vinyl matches it should look ok

also for guages i think im going autometer es series....

http://www.autometer.com/cat_gaugeop.aspx?sid=67

looks to be a good fit, im not into flashy white faces or silver bezels
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Oct 26, 2008 | 11:42 AM
  #19  
Re: Aluminum Dash Panel with Autometer Gauges
The formica piece is unique and looks good. From the pic it looks like lightning bolts on the panel.


Quote: I did mine a little different. I used to work in a cabinet shop makeing counter tops so I used a piece of formica that I glued to the benzel. I mounted my speedo and tach on a 1/4 in. piece of mdf which I screwed on to the holes that are inside of the dash so that they are still recessed and angled like the factory gauges. I bought a set of angled rings for the smaller gauges from JEGS and mounted them on the benzel.
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Oct 26, 2008 | 07:04 PM
  #20  
Re: Aluminum Dash Panel with Autometer Gauges
WORD of warning guys... mine does not fit correctly on my 84 dash , it will however fit fine on the 88... not sure if he offers both and sent the wrong one, or what gonna get ahold of him and find out

will try to get a pic tomorrow to show what i mean
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Oct 26, 2008 | 10:06 PM
  #21  
Re: Aluminum Dash Panel with Autometer Gauges
He currently doesn't offer anything for camaros past 88 or 89 (i think) I have contacted him about making a 91. He msg'd me back saying he has yet to make one and is interested in using me as a test subject. I am going to source a 91 dash cluster and send it to him w/my specifications and see what comes back. I'll keep you guys updated.
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Oct 28, 2008 | 01:06 AM
  #22  
Re: Aluminum Dash Panel with Autometer Gauges
Classic Industries... Part # 18250002 / $754.95. Definitely worth a look !!
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Oct 28, 2008 | 12:15 PM
  #23  
Re: Aluminum Dash Panel with Autometer Gauges
Here is the thread I started on the one I made for my '82...

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/body...ight=autometer

Here is some wiring info I had trouble finding so I started a thread with my finding...

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/elec...ghts-high.html

A buddy of mine makes empty dash plates...

http://www.jimmy-jams.com/
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Oct 29, 2008 | 11:59 AM
  #24  
Re: Aluminum Dash Panel with Autometer Gauges
I like the Jimmy Jam's one a lot better than the Covan's just for where the smaller gauge hole on the driver's side is located. Looks like it would be hard to see on the Covan's. Every time I look on the Jimmy Jam's website though they are not in stock.

Should be pretty easy to make it yourself though.
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Jun 13, 2012 | 12:37 AM
  #25  
Re: Aluminum Dash Panel with Autometer Gauges
I know this is an old post but I just became a member the other day.. I was thinking of doing something similar to my 92 GTA but was wanting to do it in the same material in the 76 or 77 Ta dash... The stuff with the swirl.. I know some of the special 76 50yr pontiac editions had the gold and some y84's did too. I'm not sure yet if I want gold or chrome/silver yet.. Does anyone no where to get a blank panel of it so I can cut my own wholes? Thanks
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Jun 13, 2012 | 07:12 PM
  #26  
Re: Aluminum Dash Panel with Autometer Gauges
Quote: I know this is an old post but I just became a member the other day.. I was thinking of doing something similar to my 92 GTA but was wanting to do it in the same material in the 76 or 77 Ta dash... The stuff with the swirl.. I know some of the special 76 50yr pontiac editions had the gold and some y84's did too. I'm not sure yet if I want gold or chrome/silver yet.. Does anyone no where to get a blank panel of it so I can cut my own wholes? Thanks
you wont find a blank panel for the 90-92 models. 82-89 you can. go to www.classicdash.com
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Jun 18, 2012 | 05:09 PM
  #27  
Re: Aluminum Dash Panel with Autometer Gauges
If you have a drill press it's pretty easy to get the machined look like the old t/a's. I think eastwood sells the bit.
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Jun 18, 2012 | 05:38 PM
  #28  
Re: Aluminum Dash Panel with Autometer Gauges
Quote: If you have a drill press it's pretty easy to get the machined look like the old t/a's. I think eastwood sells the bit.
It sounds like you may mean a mill drill, and not drill press? Or could you post a link to the drill bit?
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Jun 18, 2012 | 06:07 PM
  #29  
Re: Aluminum Dash Panel with Autometer Gauges
I'll look it up later, it will chuck into any drill, even a cordless. Drill press just provides the stability to make it look nice and even, otherwise it can start looking ghetto real fast if you're just freehanding it with a cordless. You just touch it to the metal with light pressure for the effect.
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Jun 18, 2012 | 06:21 PM
  #30  
Re: Aluminum Dash Panel with Autometer Gauges
I can't seem to find it for sale anywhere now! it was basically a small round wire brush that chucked into a drill.
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Jun 18, 2012 | 07:11 PM
  #31  
Re: Aluminum Dash Panel with Autometer Gauges
I kinda know what you mean but the design on the 2nd gen dash isn't a etched or scratch design it's painted or a decal of some sorts because you can wash it off if your not to careful... I would use what your talking about if it was possible to get a uniform design using that technique..
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Jun 19, 2012 | 07:48 AM
  #32  
Re: Aluminum Dash Panel with Autometer Gauges
Quote: I have a 1982 Camaro and the Factory gauges do not do the job anymore. Super Chevy May 2000 Project Silver Streak. Had a Custom Aluminum Dash Panel with Autometer gauges. The company who made it does not appear to be in business anymore. I was wondering if anyone knows of a company that makes them for Third Generation camaros. They look great and would do the job. Any help would be greatly appreciated. The Attached picture is what I am trying get.

Thanks in advance
i agree, i do not like the look of the smaller 3 3/8" gauges, and the lower gauges are useless with the aftermarket panels as you cannot see them.

i made my own out of abs plastic, here's a link, further down you'll see pics of it installed in the car...

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/inte...m-install.html
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