Beautiful Instrument Panel

[Job]

I like this one on a Cadillac, for a modern car, too much looking around for me, but like it’s integration. Also the Mustang Mach E dash is nice except for the giant tablet. The little display is very minimalistic and clean. I guess everyone has to be on a screen all the time now.

https://cdn.motor1.com/images/mgl/qpJWq/s4/cadillac-lyriq-infotainment-display-full-width-main.jpg

This is a much earlier Cadillac dash. These cars were gorgeous.

 

[PimTac]

I like this one on a Cadillac, for a modern car, too much looking around for me, but like it’s integration. Also the Mustang Mach E dash is nice except for the giant tablet. The little display is very minimalistic and clean. I guess everyone has to be on a screen all the time now.

https://cdn.motor1.com/images/mgl/qpJWq/s4/cadillac-lyriq-infotainment-display-full-width-main.jpg

This is a much earlier Cadillac dash. These cars were gorgeous.

View attachment 61945

That is very modern for its time. I’m guessing than many BITOGers are drooling over the window cranks and the headlight dimmer on the floor.

That small crank on the door, looks like it’s for a wing vent but I don’t see one. Any ideas?

 

[drtyler]

That is very modern for its time. I’m guessing than many BITOGers are drooling over the window cranks and the headlight dimmer on the floor.

That small crank on the door, looks like it’s for a wing vent but I don’t see one. Any ideas?

It is for a vent window. It's just that the vent window is pretty big. The picture just misses the edge of it. Look closely and you can see the lock on the bottom edge of the window frame.

 

[PimTac]

It is for a vent window. It's just that the vent window is pretty big. The picture just misses the edge of it. Look closely and you can see the lock on the bottom edge of the window frame.

Okay I see it now. That is a gigantic vent window.

 

[wings&wheels]

Honorable (dishonorable?) Mention has to go the mid 70's+ AM Lagonda; first truly digital dash I believe. Early ones used LED displays, later using CRT's which IIRC were supplied by an avionics supplier and were pretty much MilSpec. However, while the displays may have been MilSpec, the electronics were British mid 70's spec, cutting edge and very complicated with the results being exactly what you would expect.

Stunning, polarizing maybe, but really cool!

(top pic from Hemmings)

 

[philipp10]

You may be right, but I don't think so. Time will tell.
The Model 3 is followes the Japanese minimalistic approach. Uncluttered.
I can tell you that after driving the Model 3 and getting into the GS350 F Sport, I find the Lexus dash unnecessarily cluttered. I have to search for the right control. It sounds ridiculous, but it becomes a bit of a pain.
If I wanna set the temperature in the Tesla, I press the right button on the steering wheel and say, "I'm cold." Or "Set the temp to 70."
I do think Tesla needs heads up display and blind spot indicators on the outside mirrors.

I realize these cars are different and not for everyone. I say this all the time.
I can also tell you that people who grew up with computers take to the tablet interface naturally while others struggle with it.
My next door neighbor is on her 2nd Bolt; she greatly prefers it over our car.

My point is why can't they shrink that tablet down and integrate it into the dash, like other cars. It's like in your face.

 

[RooflessVW]

My point is why can't they shrink that tablet down and integrate it into the dash, like other cars. It's like in your face.

Functionality.

Easier to use an iPad than an iPhone.

 

[levi]

Now this is a dash. You can't see the push buttons for the automatic transmission.

58 - 59 Rambler Ambassador

 

[JeffKeryk]

My point is why can't they shrink that tablet down and integrate it into the dash, like other cars. It's like in your face.

I see your point. You can certainly make that argument.
Here is one thing to consider: Tesla does not try to be like other cars, right or wrong. They are different.
One example that I don't like (and consider a mistake) is the blind spot monitors are on the tablet; they need to be on the side view mirrors.

The "everything display" tablet takes getting use to, especailly setting things. I can tell you, many new owners pull to the side of the road, in frustration, to figure the dang thing out. Unless you have a child with you, of course.
Try going to a car warsh and turn off the auto wipers or finding neutral,,,,

 

[Job]

That is very modern for its time. I’m guessing than many BITOGers are drooling over the window cranks and the headlight dimmer on the floor.

That small crank on the door, looks like it’s for a wing vent but I don’t see one. Any ideas?

I saw that later too. Here is another pic. and more pics. Last are back on topic. it’s got big vent windows in the back too. Enough legroom. Three speed manual, maybe with overdrive hard to say I think there is a white knob under the dash for OD.

 

[JeffKeryk]

'84 to '89 Corvette. It's a love it or hate it kinda thing...

 

[Traction]

Mid 60's Corvette with the giant mechanical tach/speedo were the best I've ever had or seen. Looked like you were flying a plane.

 

[JeffKeryk]

Mid 60's Corvette with the giant mechanical tach/speedo were the best I've ever had or seen. Looked like you were flying a plane.

Please don't get me started... I love those cars. I nearly bought a perfect International Blue/Blue/White '67 small block Roadster for $25K; instead I bought the BB '68. I am soooo stupid. That '67 was such a nicely balanced car. Sheesh.

 

[wemay]

Knight Rider's KITT

 

[Zaedock]

My wife's Stinger has a pretty cool dash.

 

[wemay]

View attachment 62085

My wife's Stinger has a pretty cool dash.

That's gorgeous!

 

[nthach]

In my lifetime, the dashes I really liked were the mid-80s to mid-aughts Mercedes dashes and the earlier Lexus efforts. Clear, concise, simple. Supposedly Toyota took inspiration from the Gulfstream G150/250 for the dashboard of the 1st gen LS400.

For modern day efforts, Tesla. I have yet to find a new dash I like. Not a fan of the iPad sticking out that’s taking over new dashes. I was in a newer BMW, which did a decent job emulating analog gauges against an LCD.

 

[GoldDot40]

My 1979 Camaro. Replaced the factory gauges with Autometer Phantom electric units into a custom bezel. Converted the cable driven mechanical speedometer with an electric unit. Calibrated it and it's spot-on with the GPS on my phone.

Turn signals, parking brake and high beams are all wired to LED modules you can see illuminated in the pic. Also added another LED to a separate sending unit for oil pressure. No such thing as too much instrumentation when you have a pile of money under the hood.

 

[DwightFrye]

I agree with the others that think in a few years people will look back at the Teslas and ask what were they thinking ? Yes, Tesla wants to be different. That is admirable. But part of their problem is having employees with a median age of about 34. They just don't get it about cars in a lot of respects.
There is no reason that Tesla cannot make a more traditional dash with essential gauges in the driver's line of sight, and some HVAC controls and maybe even the audio system controls with buttons and knobs that can be adjusted by feel and not having to look at and touch a screen. Then, integrate an adequate sized screen for the NAV and other functions and not make it look like some ricer add on to the dash. Blind spot monitors on the touchscreen ? What were they thinking indeed.
Voice activation of the HVAC controls ? How well does that work when you are tooling along with the stereo volume cranked up and all you want to do is turn on the A/C or crank the temp up or down a little. Oh, like we used to do by feel without taking our eyes of the road ? Nah, that is for boomers.
Some voice recognition features like telling it to call Joe Blow on the phone or navigate to Home are OK. But gimmicks for the sake of gimmicks when we have about 100 years of driver data showing what worked and what sucked, and data being a big thing for Tesla, makes me think they need to lay off some of their designers and hire come "car guys" instead of kids that grew up playing Grand Theft Auto on a video game.