Custom Dash for a 1967 Plymouth Barracuda
How to Build a Custom Dash for a Barracuda
My buddy Scott Hallner’s a hard working man! He found a 1967 Barracuda that I think alot of people would have passed on. It had what’s known as some, “rust issues”. OK, the car was rusty BAD! Check this out:
Scott did a pretty amazing job replacing body panels and a host of other body work & paint, then he got to work on updating nearly everything in the car to install a pretty nasty Dodge small block. See all of his work in his MyRideisMe.com Garage. Along the way, he turned his attention to dash. He’d already installed a Vintage Air system, so to finish it off, he made a completely custom dash. Here’s the finished product, then you can see how he did it below.
Making a Custom Dash and Gauge Cluster
1) The plastic cluster and trim were trashed so I started w/sheetmetal. A local HVAC shop bent my piece for free. A piece of cardboard was used to mock up the layout.
2) Making the gauge pods: Scott used exhaust scraps that were 3.5 and 3″ in diameter. 3.5″ is perfect for Auto Meter 3 5/8″ gauges. 3″ is a bit large for 2 5/8″ gauges, so I cut the tailpipe and shrunk it down to about 2 3/4″.
3) Holes were cut with a Dremel and die grinder. This took the most time of all. Take your time to trim the pods and cut the holes, especially if you’re trying to angle the gauges toward the driver’s seat.
4) Trimmed to fit the dash
5) Backside shows the welding
6) I made a matching piece for the glove box trim and finished off the small gaps with some filler.
7) In primer
8) Painted – Top half is wrinkle paint, bottom is Summit base/clear
9) Dash painted hot rod black – then the Vintage Air system installed
Finished Custom Dash!
11) Gauges are Auto Meter Sport Comp II I went with all electric gauges.
I think it looks fantastic! (and even better in person) Scott’s inspired me to try something custom for my Falcon wagon project. It’s kind of a, if he can do it… so can I! Right? If you’ve put a custom dash in your hot rod, let me know! I can always use more inspiration. Thanks Scott!
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I have a 1967 cuda fastback, how can i get a built dash like this one.
Hi Sunny, the guy who made this dash is a friend of mine. I think it’s a one-off creation. Sorry! I’ll tell him you asked tho!
I have been looking for something exactly like this as my 67 notchback was a factory air car that I was able to procure but had no gauges, controls, or any of the important stuff you look at while going down the road. My fabrication skills are not on par with my imagination but this is a pragmatic approach for me. I wanted additional gauges and this is perfect.
Hey pikesan well i have a 1967 cuda and his style is exactly what i want to do to my cuda. Any chance he can make one for me. My email is moc.oohaynull@lacfostol and my name is sunny. Right now i have no dash or cluster as it was stolen so instead of going back to original i want to do some muscle flavor, please let me know thanks.