Scale-Master

I used SMS C/F decal for the dash, but it was too light and a bit coarse/high contrast for the look I wanted. So I tinted it with Tamiya Smoke and Clear Blue lacquers before clear coating it.

Lookin' really good! I like the way the finish came out.

Key switch for the ignition is done.

I started machining the switches for lights, blinkers, key, starter and windshield wipers.

The gauges are done for now and loosely fitted to the dash.

Thanks guys! The reset knob for the trip odometer. Three pieces. The largest part of it is .030 in diameter and has the ribs machined into it.

These are the gauge faces. I machined the parts and drew the art and printed them out. The needles are mounted to shafts (like real ones).

These are the lenses I made for the gauges. The one for the vacuum gauge lens is already installed. The hole in the one is for the reset knob for the trip meter.

Thank you David. This was an attempt at making the needles more accurate than my previous ones. Each time I learn a little more... At least I try to.

I made the needles for each gauge. They are different sizes and proportions because the gauges are three different sizes and two of the mid-sized ones are electrical and two are mechanical. (They are really small.)

Thanks Peter. Non-functioning, but hopefully realistic looking is the plan. The water temp, oil pressure, volts and fuel housings were roughed out next…

The gauges will be Auto Meter brand. I started off with the tach and speedo and a small vacuum gauge. They are milled so the lenses will mount from the inside like the real ones.

Thanks for the kind words everyone! The tires are old Tamiya items, (not sure what kit they came from). They were Michelin TRXs, but the tread was more like second generation BFG Radial T/As, which I had on it at one time. So I sanded the Michelin lettering off the sidewalls. They were the only tires I could find with the right sizes for this project. Here's the real car.

After Swiss cheesing the dash I reinforced it on the back (front?) with .020 x .070 thick strips before risking a fracture.

I decided on three different sizes of Auto Meter gauges.