MK-I MK-II MK-III MK-IV GULF MIRAGE J-CAR LOLA
| Lola T70 Lounge Spider and coupe talk, replicas and real. | 
9th October 2011, 01:16 PM
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#1 (permalink)
| | Oneofakind Lifetime Premier Supporter 
Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Texas
Posts: 87
| Computer Fabricated Dash Panels
I was searching potential ways to fabricate a new dash panel system for my Lola T70 and came upon this company. The have a very unique business model:
You start by downloading their free design software, choose your material and finish, including thickness, configure your own panel, including mounting holes, instrument cut outs, labels, trim etc. As you are building your panel the software calculates the costs. When you are finished and satisfied with your design and price, you submit the model/order electronically and they computer fabricate your panel. Very cool concept!
I am working mine up now and will report back on the final product. If anyone has used them before, please comment. Front Panel Express:*Front Panel Design Software and CAD Conversion Service | 
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9th October 2011, 04:07 PM
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#2 (permalink)
| | Bmumm Rookie
Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: South Carolina GT40: Wishing Still
Posts: 51
| Re: Computer Fabricated Dash Panels
I just downloaded the program to play with, and it seems pretty solid. Even lets you choose your font and letter coloring, countersink, blind holes for future additions. Have a good feeling I'll use them when the time comes. Nice find! | |
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6th August 2012, 10:21 PM
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#3 (permalink)
| | Oneofakind Lifetime Premier Supporter
Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Texas
Posts: 87
| Re: Computer Fabricated Dash Panels -Follow-up
Quote:
Originally Posted by Oneofakind  I was searching potential ways to fabricate a new dash panel system for my Lola T70 and came upon this company. The have a very unique business model:
You start by downloading their free design software, choose your material and finish, including thickness, configure your own panel, including mounting holes, instrument cut outs, labels, trim etc. As you are building your panel the software calculates the costs. When you are finished and satisfied with your design and price, you submit the model/order electronically and they computer fabricate your panel. Very cool concept!
I am working mine up now and will report back on the final product. If anyone has used them before, please comment. Front Panel Express:*Front Panel Design Software and CAD Conversion Service | Fantastic Results! I received a machined panel, drilled to perfection, anodized, engraved and filled for $137.00 including shipping. Beautiful work and a turnaround time of 7 days.
Here's the finished product in my Lola. | |
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9th August 2012, 04:57 PM
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#4 (permalink)
| | Oneofakind Lifetime Premier Supporter
Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Texas
Posts: 87
| Re: Computer Fabricated Dash Panels
A better shot.... | |
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10th August 2012, 03:45 AM
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#5 (permalink)
| | pacman Rookie 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 21
| Re: Computer Fabricated Dash Panels
Nice layout! I like it a lot.
What brand are those gauges? | |
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10th August 2012, 12:02 PM
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#6 (permalink)
| | Oneofakind Lifetime Premier Supporter
Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Texas
Posts: 87
| Re: Computer Fabricated Dash Panels
The gauges are from Classic Instruments. The bezels are their Moal Bezel Kit.
Here's the link. Classic Instruments Series | |
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11th August 2012, 02:04 AM
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#7 (permalink)
| | Charlie Farley Andrew 
Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: UK GT40: In Build
Posts: 1,004
| Re: Computer Fabricated Dash Panels
You've lost me.
Why put US gauges in a British car...?
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11th August 2012, 03:06 AM
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#8 (permalink)
| | PANAVIA Rookie
Join Date: May 2010 Location: Northern CA GT40: None Yet
Posts: 23
| Re: Computer Fabricated Dash Panels
interesting look - , neat detail . - good brain food.
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PANAVIA Steve Wood
S.J. CA, SPF Cobra & Daytona | |
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11th August 2012, 10:33 AM
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#9 (permalink)
| | awatkins Lifetime Premier Supporter
Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: not here GT40: N/A
Posts: 2,374
| Re: Computer Fabricated Dash Panels
Quote:
Originally Posted by Charlie Farley Why put US gauges in a British car...? | Same reason you'd put an American V8 in a Jaguar.  | |
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11th August 2012, 11:57 PM
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#10 (permalink)
| | Oneofakind Lifetime Premier Supporter
Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Texas
Posts: 87
| Re: Computer Fabricated Dash Panels
If Eric Broadley could dump the Aston Martin engine for Chevrolet...I should certainly be permitted to use a few gauges made in the US. I did opt for Lucas switches, if that's any consolation. Let's not even mention the German transmission! | |
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12th August 2012, 01:12 PM
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#11 (permalink)
| | awatkins Lifetime Premier Supporter
Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: not here GT40: N/A
Posts: 2,374
| Re: Computer Fabricated Dash Panels
Quote:
Originally Posted by Charlie Farley You've lost me.
Why put US gauges in a British car...? | So, Andrew, have we found you again?  | |
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12th August 2012, 01:22 PM
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#12 (permalink)
| | brettmcc I Have No Life
Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Essex, UK GT40: RSGTD
Posts: 2,120
| Re: Computer Fabricated Dash Panels
Glen,
FWIW, I like them Give a nice aerospace look, which I guess is where a lot of inspiration came from around those times.
Question on the software, can you do rotary position at a constant radius say like: Off, L, M, H; or a graduated colouring of Blue to Red for a rotary heater dial? Had a look and it looks quite nice, but didn't see this ability, but maybe I missed it? I'll have 3 rotary dials in mine eventuall (Fan, Heat and Wiper) so that's why it's of interest to me. Thanks
Brett
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Southern RSGTD; Mexican block; Audi 01X
I love the company so much I work for them and build them in my spare time....
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12th August 2012, 01:59 PM
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#13 (permalink)
| | Oneofakind Lifetime Premier Supporter
Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Texas
Posts: 87
| Re: Computer Fabricated Dash Panels
I would suggest you surf around their website and email them your questions directly...they are extremely nice and responsive folks. I found this one example on their product showcase that appears to be what you had in mind.
By the way, if you don't want to take the time or struggle with new software, they will design for you...just send them drawings and your specs. Front Panel Express:*Custom Front Panel Designs & Enclosures - Instrument Panels | |
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12th August 2012, 02:19 PM
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#14 (permalink)
| | grp2viva A Tenth
Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Devon, England
Posts: 179
| Re: Computer Fabricated Dash Panels
Quote:
Originally Posted by Oneofakind Let's not even mention the German transmission! | I think you'll find Hewland are very much British. If it's German, its not Lola's doing.....
Darren | |
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12th August 2012, 06:55 PM
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#15 (permalink)
| | Oneofakind Lifetime Premier Supporter
Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Texas
Posts: 87
| Re: Computer Fabricated Dash Panels
Sorry for the confusion...I really stepped over the line, I've got a Porsche G50 in mine...hence, the reference to a German gearbox. My American gauges are a minor transgression in comparison. | |
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