DASHBOARD DESIGN

PIMPING OUT A SHELBY COBRA

The purpose of this personal project was to outfit a 1965 Shelby Cobra component car with a custom dash board, center console, and glove box that reflected the needs of the driver in addition to aesthetic functionality. Working with the car's builder as well as the fabricator of the dashboard, I began this project with hand sketches. After creating 3-D models of the individual pieces, each piece was fabricated and installed alongside working gauges and lights into the component car.

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DESIGN PROCESS

While the initial intent of this project was simply to create a functional dashboard that would display necessary information to the driver, it became clear that there would need to be an additional display to house the passenger controls that could not fit on the dashboard. This need for a separate display for the passenger aided in the design of the center console, which has air conditioning and seat heater controls for both the passenger and driver.

SMARTPHONE INTEGRATION

In addition to the passenger controls, the center console also has some rather unconventional aspects, such as USB ports, an AUX connection, and a phone stand. Though the third-party fabricator of the console disagreed with the integration of new technology into a classic car, these design choices were made with with the intent of servicing the needs of the driver. The result is an elegant smart-phone compatible classic car that makes the driving experience easier and more enjoyable

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INSTALLATION

When the pieces arrived, it was time to integrate them into the build. Using instructions from the wiring sets, and the expertise of the car owner, each slot on the dash was outfitted with gauges, lights, buttons, and switches which were meticulously wired into the main frame of the car.

FABRICATION

After creating models of the dashboard, console, and glovebox, a file was sent to the fabricator, who cut and etched each piece. Though significant aesthetic and functional changes were made from the original 1965 Shelby Cobra interior design, I chose a metal finish resembling the original.