Thx - I didn't take that one; just grabbed it and saved it in the dash file

speaking of BMWs, here is a 2002 dash:


http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1578449474.jpg

One of my favorite features of the air-cooled 911's is the layout of the instrument panel - 5 perfectly sized analog gauges in a line with the tach in the center...classic perfection! I don't find it detrimental that the Momo steering wheel in my '88 911 partially blocks the view of some gauges - I just move my head to compensate. Analog instruments are easy to read in all conditions and give rapid information at a glance. The round gauges held in by rubber grommets makes for easy service, should the need arise. For those that like "clocking" of the tach and speedometer, the mounting system is ideal.

I'll admit that I'm old and nostalgic, but when I sat in a 911 for the first time (back in '65), I was forever impressed with the panel - it just defines the 911.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1578506687.jpg

I know this is a thread about "dashes" but I will state that the most interesting advances have been on the steering wheel and "stalks". Game changers.

My 2015 Tundra has an excellent instrument cluster and way above average controls and dials for a/c, heat, flashers, etc.

The steering wheel is really intuitive, with tactile buttons that I don't even look at when adjusting the radio, volume, cell phone calls, etc. After 30 plus years in Toyota's, the "stalks" for lights, turn signals, etc. are as ingrained in my driving as brake and gas pedals.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1578510582.jpg

IMHO, This is one of the better dashes of all time. 1936 & 37 Cord 810/812.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1578510967.jpg

Of all the cars I've driven, borrowed, owned or been in, the high point for both ergonomics and to my mind Design/Style is my 2008 Volvo C30. Simple, elegant, stylish, dead easy to use and everything fell to had from the first time I sat in it. Nothing has ever come close. My Boxster on the other hand is a mess. What you can't see in this pic are the cruise control buttons on the left of the steering wheel (missing on this pic) and the ease of use of the column stalks for all functions including menus etc. The layout and spacing of the radio, HVAC etc. controls on the center console are so perfect I never need to look away from the road, everything falls to hand and major knobs/dials are far enough apart that proprioception can find them without looking or grabbing the wrong one. It's now been replaced for DD duty by a V60 Wagon, and while similar in concept, it's no where near as good and lacks the Nordic simplicity that makes the C30 so so good.

https://cars.usnews.com/static/image..._dashboard.jpg

No, that is very fair game here - it gets controls closer to the operator and cleans up the dash (just like a HUD)

In fact, I was going to post some pics of buttons on the steering wheel - you saved me the trouble

ok, now here is a FAIL

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1578514076.jpg

Note how they tried to use the greater width at the bottom of the steering wheel arc, but in doing so obscured the gauges.


I like the oval shape tho...


Also, I should point out it's an Austin healer 3000 - so the gauges probably don't work anyway.

It’s literally no worse than glancing down to look at a speedometer. No head turning necessary.



Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

RWebb this is a great thread...

Here is a picture of an SL560 dash, 1998. While not a picture of my exact car, I have one. The lack of thought that went into the layout is unfortunate. What you cannot see is the row of idiot lights below the instrument cluster that are placed in such a way as to confuse and cause significant heads down driving.

Awful...the car was a bridge between analog and digital and they gooned both. Great car with horrific ergonomics. The heater/vent/air conditioning controls are as poor an execution of simple tasks that exists in any car ever made.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1578514658.jpg

Best American car panel layout (my opinion) was the Studebaker Avanti II - nice grouping of analog instrumentation perfectly positioned.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1578515531.png

Thx for the kudos on the thread idea!

but...

don't get me started on heater/vent/air conditioning controls!

I tend to hate voice commands, but I tried a couple last night out of curiosity.

'Set temp to 72' - Did just that

'My ass is cold' - Turned all seat heaters on high, lol

re the Tesla display panel, here is an idea from Sony for their new car (or car demonstrator):



http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1578516143.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1578529014.jpg

I have (2) 1971 240z's, in left hand drive, very well executed dash IMO

Finding one without cracks over the gauge humps is a challenge

Early 'vette with the flame-out 6 cyl. motor


http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1578598079.jpg

the speedo arc conforms to the steering wheel

but note how they screwed up the tach placement - it's way the hell over on the right

they fixed this later (and added a V8)

Great thread - I'm an analog gauge junky. I like my 911 dash. I have enjoyed the layout of all the different Audi's that I've owned.

Can you ever over-do analog gauge placement? How about this one?:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1578626144.jpg

Here's a link to interesting interiors:

https://carinteriors.tumblr.com/

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1578671930.JPG

This is the dash of a 1952 356 Cabriolet. Documented as THE oldest Porsche sold brand new in the USA.

I like the gauges in your Bullet, Paul. You probably know better than me but they seem to be an homage to old school Ford design. The font on the dash lettering is the same as on my parents 66 Custom and the round barrel gauges harken back to that era too. All in all a pleasing design.

Last car for me. Dash of my 1996 Land Cruiser, a bit of a Unicorn with only 122K on the clock. Not bad:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1578676585.jpg

Then they put switches all over the place, not sure why:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1578676646.jpg

The switches above the radio, to the left, raise and lower the antenna. So quaint!

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1578676646.jpg

Another favorite (and very similar to the 928 and Z32 300Z). Nice places to be...

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1578679586.jpg

Lotus got the two main gauges right (big and right in front) but the switches and small gauges look like they were placed by using a Remington pump to "pray & spray"

what a mess


http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1578679992.jpg


1962 Elan S2

Thanks. That had a factor in my decision to buy. Easy to read...didn't know about the font, but it's very legible. All appreciated on another non eventful run to my favorite pool hall yesterday.

(edit) An added benefit is that Cindy can't read the speedometer from the passenger seat. ;)

Aren't the vents electronically controlled as well?

Here in the midwest I might have to adjust the vents a few times during my commute. I wouldn't want to have to use the screen every time.

Just had this recovered after enlarging holes for the new gauges.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1578689993.jpg

Speedo looks pegged at max.
Does that use opposing pulsing current to limit needle movement instead?
(forgot the technical term)

i.e. something else to break

They are, but they are much more broad than normal vents. I tend to have two general ways I aim it, one for winter that hits the side windows a bit more than summer. I fiddle with it far less than even the other cars with auto temp, not sure if it's the diffusion or what, but it stays a lot more evenly comfortable.

I did find I had to toggle the front defroster now and then when the dog was in the car for a long ride steaming everything up. That's a main screen toggle though, pretty easy to reach over and hit, and could have left it on for the trip I suppose, but it adds a bit of noise, more noticeable with no engine noise.

Also, for what it's worth I pretty much always leave it on fan speed 4 and let it adjust the temp, but it does have a full auto mode for that, I just don't like the up/down ramp all that much, and prefer the air temp change.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1578694540.jpg

My favorite dashes, not for ergonomics but aesthetics. The common theme is analog, if you can adjust it by tapping on it, cool. They all make me feel better!

68 Century Resorter
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1578717336.jpg

76 Hatteras
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1578717387.jpg

76 Triumph Spitfire
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1578717554.jpg

66 Jaguar XKE type 1
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1578717678.jpg

81 Skywagon
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1578717815.jpg

And it looks like I don't have a good shot of the 87 Carrera - but it's on the list too.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1578717877.jpg

esthetic if not ergonomic...

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1600904892.jpg

Thank you. Saves me searching for the e28 dash photo.

I really like the gauges on my 4 runner, similar to Paul's truck. I miss that LC dash. Its simple, not too many switches.

I know is off topic, but its interior:D Why do I always see so many sheep skins on pilot's seats?

When I had my old '88, the only, IMO, thing that kept the dash from being perfect was the tach and speedo. I rotated them so that the tach's redline had the needle vertical, and then rotated the speedo to the same angle. Part of the speedo was obscured by the steering wheel when it was straight. When it was rotated to match the tach, then the part that was obscured wasn't important. I would have loved to have the gauge faces redone by one of the two gauge shops in Cali so they could be tilted without the numbers/text being slanted.

But then I also thought the HVAC control made perfect sense and were very functional which, I think, makes me unusual.

No - the 911 gauges are near perfect

The most important thing is right in front of you.

2nd most important are just outboard of the tach (Oil Press. and speedo)
- speedo needle can be a bit hard to see over 60 mph but that is due to out smaller dia. steering wheels, it's ok for a stock wheel

Least important things are outboard

Late in the MY's they started adding accessories and just sticking them anywhere - those complaints are valid.

The 996 & Boxster also have xlnt layouts

Now, look back at the BMW above - another no nonsense cockpit for the task of driving.

The Germans had it down pretty good.

Thats an E30. Drove one for years. E28 is similar.




http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1608330260.jpg

'55 Thunderbird dash - speedo has clear lens on back so to see right through the unit - through the windshield. That dash grafted-in a early Hot Rod looks very cool.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1608331173.jpg