Aftermarket Guages in 68 Auto

[Oregonjam]

This is for a 1968 SS350 with auto column shift, no guages and the wood grain finish on instrument panel. Suggestions welcome.

[hotrod68]

I like the way Yenko did it--a single chrome panel below the ashtray with oil, amp, and temp gauges. It's simple and the gauges are easily readable. My 2 cents.

[tom]

Not sure what was in a 68 firebird, 69 firebird had a set of quad guages in the dash where a tach would normally go. I like the set, it might work in a 68 Camaro dash. Verify first.

[lakeholme]

John,

Beyond originality, am I correct that your ash tray is woodgrain with an 07D build?
The continuity would help the "look"...

[Oregonjam]

Beyond originality, am I correct that your ash tray is woodgrain with an 07D build?
The continuity would help the "look"...

Yes, the center dash area is wood grain and all of the interior is a stock appearance. I do currently run Oil and Water temp guages on a black after market bracket using existing screws under the ashtray. I debated taking them out but am feeling uneasy about not having them for long hauls etc. I was also thinking that the continuity offered by the 67 insruments would be nice and appear stock to those that don't know. I think they will blend more with the deisgners intent of what the interior should be like. Although the feature was not on this Camaro I am considering adding it. The black bracket says to all that this is an after market addon and stands out.

I do go back and forth on it...

[lakeholme]

John,

Not sure I made my point clear:  I guess I would vote for your second option above, a woodgrain bracket, because it would be a consistent look with your 07D build.  My 68 12D build has the original black ashtray with the woodgrain panel.  (Beyond that, it has a console, so if I ever add guages, my choice is simple.)
Read through this thread (if you haven't already):
http://www.camaros.org/forum/index.php?topic=1534.0;all

I know what you mean about going back and forth on the decision...

[lakeholme]

Got your PM.
From Ed and others observations in that thread, your ash tray should be woodgrain.  It's first quarter 68 build dates that may go either way.

[Oregonjam]

Thanks phillip. I did not realize that black ash trays were used with the wood grain center dash sections early on. Thanks again for the thread and feed back.