Tips for first time restorers!

it takes a lot of time also. LOTS of time. my car is about 80% complete on body/paint and it's been 2.5 years. if i could weld myself and had a place for body it would have been done.

i got a cheesy dash cluster insert so i could use aftermarket gauges:
View attachment cluster insert.jpg

it was a very poor design. but i was determined to "win" the battle lol. after i spent about 40 hours modifying the plastics and metal frame of my cluster so this insert and the gauges fit. after 40 HOURS then i went to put the switches on... both the headlight switch and wiper switch are too close to the corners so back i go with the dremel tool modifying the frame to accept the switches.


anyways the shop caught a fire while welding in floor pans. toasted a bunch of stuff in my original dash; i got one on here, i had them paint it for me.

i wanted 3m aluminum automotive vinyl wrap for the center and right sections to match the gauge cluster. nobody would sell the materials to me only would install for a HIGH fee. so i said screw it and fabbed my own out of aluminum. i also had to fab the dual speaker plate out of 20 gauge steel to replace the oem speaker, stereo mounting bracket, probably other stuff i forgot lol.

i now have it all wired assembled etc. over 200 HOURS just in the dash.
View attachment dash.jpg
View attachment dash2.jpg
View attachment dash3.jpg
View attachment dash4.jpg
so you better be ready for a time investment