The Dash

[RWebb]

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

[RWebb]

speaking of BMWs, here is a 2002 dash:

[drcoastline]

[JeremyD]

[dkirk]

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.

[imaircooled]

[Seahawk]

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.

[dafischer]

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

[Adrian Thompson]

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.

[RWebb]

Originally Posted by Seahawk

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.

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

[RWebb]

ok, now here is a FAIL



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.

[Ronbo]

Originally Posted by RNajarian

No, I’m not a Tesla hater but it seems a little bit inconvenient to have to turn your head (albeit ever so slightly) to get needed information.

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



Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by RWebb

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

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.

[dkirk]

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

[RWebb]

Thx for the kudos on the thread idea!

but...

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

[MysticLlama]

Originally Posted by RWebb

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

[RWebb]

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

[lgb240]

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

[maxnine11]

[RWebb]

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




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)