Absolutely the Standard is coming. It is a lot harder to do than the XR7. The passenger side of the standard is done and we are working on the finish of the driver side. Those bezels around the gauges are tough to mask and paint.
Good to know. Thanks for all you do for the community.
Are the XR7 dash pieces available to order Bill?
Not yet. We have just about finalized the jigs and fixtures and processes to finish the panels. XR7 is easier than the standard and if we get delayed in the standard we will go forward on the XR7 first. I have what should be final samples inbound right now.
I need both for current projects. Good luck Bill!
Okay here is a teaser. We are getting so close.
These are the pictures of the first article samples as they were being boxed up for delivery to me.
Those red dots are 3M two sided tape for mounting '68 dash face pads (OR CUSTOM DASH FACE PADS! WOOHOO!) The clips are the unobtainium parts you need to do the standard 68 dash install.
They look great Bill. Looks like you have added every detail including the foam on the back side of the standard cluster and the clips. I am looking forward to the finished products being available as I am sure many other owners are. Thank you!
They look amazing!
- Phillip
What kind of prices are we looking at?
There are a lot of little things that go into these. I am sure that we didnât catch every possible thing but it wasnât for lack of trying. The little green squares for the turn signals have been reproduced. Almost every sample we have seen is actually burned and darkened in the arrow opening. These will be brighter and more green than what you may be used to. This is the kind of thing that is really hard to figure: make it like the originals are today or make it like it was new. Keep in mind you can always use your old ones.
This morning I got an announcement that tariffs were increasing by 25 to 100%! Looks like it mostly solar stuff and electric cars so maybe we wonât get hit. Itâs easy for them to make the net too big and we get scooped up under auto parts.
Target prices are still at $500 but I havenât had the final pricing meeting so I may be overly optimistic. I canât see them breaking $600 and that sounds incredibly high to me. However I looked at NPD and the core charge for a rebuilt dash is $600! The dash is $1790. Canât see anyone actually buying that. The Autometer Cougar Dash is $533 and nothing compared to these.
Not even close, Only bonus is their gauges are a direct fit with no modification needed but all the examples I have seen do not fit all that great and it looks very aftermarket when installed. I much prefer the xr7 dash with aftermarket gauges.
I would say the 500-600 price range is reasonable with a high qualityfinish/better then original fit to go along with it. Used xr7 panels that need restored are running that. I got lucky on ebay to pay 300 for a complete set I could modify for my usage but since then they all seem to demand higher prices now and be in worse shape
Is it close to ordering time yet?
The only remaining issue was the little green lens for the turn signals. The color and durability of the sheet stock was terrible so we tooled up an injection molded lens. One of our US based guys is going over to visit the factory and see what is going on.
Not great news. The factory that applies the chrome did not schedule our parts because we didnât have all of the secondary parts ready for assembly. The first possible run date for chrome is now February 15th because of the Chinese New Year holiday.
Timing is good for me. I have a standard '67 hardtop.
My dash pad is in sorry shape, so Iâm considering replacing that sooner than later.
The dash is OK, but I have a small split in the vinyl face and may wish to replace the dash as well. Maybe I missed the details somewhere, but Iâm curious as to what your dash will entail. My gauges work, so I can re-use them, however it would be nice to get more modern ones (or better illumination which I would assume youâre doing).
What will your standard dash include? For example, trim facia, front padding, gauges, lights, electrical connections?
Also, when might you guess the standards might be available for purchase. Iâm not in a rush but Iâd like to set myself a calendar reminder.
thanks!
This is only the chrome trim portion.
The first thing is the plastic dash base. Everything attaches to the base. There are also new lenses with the chrome center trim coming. You would reuse your gauges and face pad. Reproduction face pads are being evaluated right now along with the associated trim.
LED replacement bulbs are available now.
You can test your gauges with the gauge tester and Rocketman can recalibrate them and paint the needles for just $15 each.
The Cougar logo badge on the passenger side is currently available.
So if youâve got a passable set of gauges you will eventually be able to make it like new.
This is what you look at when ever you drive your car so making this improvement is a big step forward