tklockwood... any pictures? I'd also be interested to know how you built it
Sorry. I just noticed this question now. I do have pictures. They are in my build thread:
My 70/72 'Cuda (re) build.
That thread has been pretty stagnant but is about to see a flurry of activity. The link is to page 3 because that is where the gauge stuff is. Once I have it in the dash again, I will post pictures of it "in context" and with the Penta Slyders, which are awesome!
I started with a sheet metal frame that I created to fit the opening. I took a lot of measurements for locating the gauges and such but didn't cut the holes until I got the plastic. I bought some black textured sheet plastic from ePlastics.com, cut it to fit my sheet metal gauge cluster, then used a heat gun to heat it and form it to the shape of the sheet metal.
Then I drilled the center (pilot) holes for the gauge openings and then used that to drill accurately through the plastic, using the sheet metal with the pilot holes behind it for control. Then I went ahead and drilled the gauge openings through the sheet metal as well. I bought these killer black billet LEDs from Oznium that I will be installing in the cluster for turn signals, high beams, brake light, etc. They have them in the correct colors for all of those functions.
The layout is intended to make the gauges as visible as possible through the steering wheel. The idea is for the Speedo, Tach, Gas gauge, and Volt gauge to be visible through the wheel and the Temp and Oil Pressure gauges to be visible outside the wheel. I am not sure I actually achieved that, but I will find out when I get it back together soon.
I don't know if that answers your question but I sort of hit the highlights. Let me know if you have any questions.
The car was on a rotisserie for a very long time but the bottom is now finished. Not final assembly but the cleaning, degreasing, de-rusting, custom modification, etc. as well as the final coating of white spray in truck bed liner to protect it. Now I am starting to assembled the whole car to make sure it all fits after my custom work, and do all the wiring before I tear it halfway back apart to do the external body work.
It never ends...