Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Classic Morgans (pre-CX) Dashboard replacement

Thanks for the advice Robbie.......I'm a labler from way back!

Yeh, I had toyed with aluminium....that might look good. I'm currently playing around with photoshop to see what both blue leather and aluminium would look like.

Neil.

I've had some more thoughts about what to use for the central instrument cluster and while trawling the 'net for decorative sheet metal came across a company that can print any digital image "into" ( not just onto the surface) of a sheet of aluminium 1.2mm thick.

The finishes come in a choice of matte or brushed aluminium gloss and are claimed to be scratch -resistant and of course moisture proof.(not yet sure about their resistance to UV but they are claimed to be of archival quality)

It seems to open up a variety of possibilities. My initial thoughts being:

1. Photograph the burl finish on the dash and reproduce that ( gloss finish ).

2. Do same with the blue leather and have a "metalicised" leather appearance. ( could be quite radical!!...could also use real leather of course).

3. How about this one.......multiple Morgan logos, perhaps reduced to simple line drawings, on either the matte or gloss finish.

I've contacted the company for some sample images on the various finishes so will keep you posted.

Cheers,
Neil

sounds interesting, will be watching this one....

Still waiting for samples of the prints on brushed aluminium but I have been doing some work on the multiple logo idea and this is a version I quite like. The colour is a good match for the blue leather in the vehicle.
Anything white in the photo will allow total show through of the brushed aluminium surface, black allows no show through at all. All shades between will show a proportionate ammount of metal.

It's difficult to imagine just how it will look in the finished product. I may have a better idea when the samples arrive. These, however, will not be of this pic:


Another hurdle yet to be crossed is the cut-outs in the aluminium for the switches and instruments. I have been toying with the idea of laser cutting as I do not know of any other way that could produce an equally neat finish. Anyone have any experience in this department?

You must excuse the very crude photoshoping but here is what it looks like in the dash:


Is this too radical? ......
I really would be interested in what people think.

Cheers, Neil.

Laser cutting would give an excellent finish, but remember when the instruments and switches are fitted you will not see the cut edges, so careful drilling and cutting by hand might work. Patience and a steady hand.
Personally, the design does nothing for me - I would simply spray it with crackle finish black paint, but each to his own. Incidently you have used the modern Morgan wing design; have you considered the older logo, which would be more in keeping with the age of your car?

But there is no need to take any notice of an old fogey like me, it's your car - do what you like! They're great fun to tinker with.

Fjemog

Remember that MMC are very protective of the Logo, although a one off shouldn't be a problem.

The car already has a crackle finish black centre panel that I think looks pretty ordinary, hence the search for something a bit different.

I've been thinking just the same re: cutting but if not prohibitively expensive, water jet cutting may be good. The printing company have advised laser would damage the image.

Good point re: wings ....hadn't realized, will investigate


Neil.

Hi Dave,

that's a very good point and it had crossed my mind only last night but I rationalised that it shouldn't be a problem as it is going into one of MMC's cars. However that may be an overly simplistic view......copywright laws can be complex. ...

..........maybe I'll just go with leather.

Thanks for the input.
Neil.

Hello Neil, ---How honest can I be? ;)---now this is purely a personal point of view, remember less is more.So I think your image is a tad too busy. I know it sounds good coming from someone who has a massive cluster of badges on the front of his P&J---never mind! I am also thinking of replacing my present dashboard with a more retro look.This would entail keeping the ivory instruments and adding a few embelishments like toggle switches etc. All I have to do now is summon up the courage to tell SWMBO that the perfectly servicable existing dash lacks a certain charm ---whatch this space!!!!!