EmTee Posted July 3, 2018 Share Posted July 3, 2018 I was inspired by the photos posted in John D's '2500 Mile Challenge' thread. I think that Buicks have historically had some of the most interesting instrument panel designs, So, without further delay I'll kick it off with my '67 Riviera drum speedometer. Now, let's see yours! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dei Posted July 3, 2018 Share Posted July 3, 2018 OK I'll Play. My 1958 Buick Limited dash. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CBloomberg Posted July 4, 2018 Share Posted July 4, 2018 I went out to the garage and snapped these three pics (you already put up the coolest one, my 67 Riviera. Below are my 2016 Cascada, 1967 LeSabre and 1952 Special. Mine look more like survivors than show cars but you still can appreciate the character of the different designs. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cxgvd Posted July 4, 2018 Share Posted July 4, 2018 Here's mine. 1915 McLaughlin showing oil sight gauge, ignition and light switch, with a speedometer. The empty holes are for the choke or strangler cable and dash lamp yet to be installed. Btw it is a painted board. Regards, Gary 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marty Roth Posted July 4, 2018 Share Posted July 4, 2018 (edited) Our (former) 1914 B-37 Touring, now with a friend in Texas- Note the oil sight glass and the instrument light Edited July 6, 2018 by Marty Roth (see edit history) 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmTee Posted July 4, 2018 Author Share Posted July 4, 2018 11 hours ago, CBloomberg said: Below are my 2016 Cascada, 1967 LeSabre and 1952 Special. I like that '52 -- I don't believe I've ever seen one of those in person! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Centurion Posted July 5, 2018 Share Posted July 5, 2018 My 1959 Electra: 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old-tank Posted July 5, 2018 Share Posted July 5, 2018 29 minutes ago, Centurion said: My 1959 Electra: Still triple turbine? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Centurion Posted July 5, 2018 Share Posted July 5, 2018 28 minutes ago, old-tank said: Still triple turbine? Absolutely! I love the silky smooth Triple Turbine! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D Yaros Posted July 5, 2018 Share Posted July 5, 2018 (edited) I am constantly surprised to learn of the number of cars that have what I call a "rolling ribbon" speedometer; like on the '59 Electra, above. Oldsmobile used it from 1959 through 1962. Oldsmobile called it the "Safety Spectrum" speedometer. At one time I thought it was unique to Oldsmobile. Ah, naïveté! I wonder how accurate they are? I suspect not very. Edited July 5, 2018 by D Yaros (see edit history) 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmTee Posted July 6, 2018 Author Share Posted July 6, 2018 That '59 dash is wild -- seems like you should be looking at the moon through that windshield! "10, 9, 8, 7..." 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poppy's 55 Posted July 6, 2018 Share Posted July 6, 2018 I hope more folks post up here because I love these pictures. My humble, modified dash. The guy I bought it from obviously did some changes, not all of which I like. The POS stereo he put in it is so gross and out of place I removed the face plate and will not put it in. Looking for a decent replica to install. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mp65riv Posted July 6, 2018 Share Posted July 6, 2018 I think my 61 has a beautiful dash layout, with the mirror-matic speedo and center stack layout that in my opinion, was ahead of its time... 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avgwarhawk Posted July 6, 2018 Share Posted July 6, 2018 1960 Buick: 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avgwarhawk Posted July 6, 2018 Share Posted July 6, 2018 1954 Buick Special: 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmTee Posted July 6, 2018 Author Share Posted July 6, 2018 These are great -- keep 'em coming! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD1956 Posted July 7, 2018 Share Posted July 7, 2018 On 7/5/2018 at 8:59 PM, EmTee said: That '59 dash is wild -- seems like you should be looking at the moon through that windshield! "10, 9, 8, 7..." More like" Ground control to major Krum. Check ignition and may God's luck be with you. " 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Machine Gun Posted July 7, 2018 Share Posted July 7, 2018 My '64 Skylark. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmTee Posted July 8, 2018 Author Share Posted July 8, 2018 I think that it's really neat to see the design/style progression from early 50's to the mid 60's in this series of photos. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elpad Posted July 9, 2018 Share Posted July 9, 2018 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmTee Posted July 10, 2018 Author Share Posted July 10, 2018 I've always liked engine turned dashboards! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronnie Posted July 10, 2018 Share Posted July 10, 2018 If George Jetson drove a Buick this might be how he would have expected the dash to look... all digital with a touch screen to control AC, Heat Radio and more in the center... all in 1988. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD1956 Posted July 10, 2018 Share Posted July 10, 2018 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KAD36 Posted July 10, 2018 Share Posted July 10, 2018 (edited) Night shot - good idea JD Edited July 10, 2018 by KAD36 (see edit history) 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barney Eaton Posted July 11, 2018 Share Posted July 11, 2018 1939.......there was another design that the increments were in 20 mph jumps 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cxgvd Posted July 11, 2018 Share Posted July 11, 2018 I received the final lot of nickel plating which has allowed me to finish my 1915 McLaughlin dashboard. I draw your attention to the brass name plate from the manufacturer, along the bottom it says to check the battery water every ten days. Ten days, how does an owner keep track of that, carry a calendar and write it down? The McLaughlin plate has stayed with the car for a hundred years and is in pristine condition, has to be a miracle. I think it is a neat detail. Regards, Gary 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmTee Posted July 12, 2018 Author Share Posted July 12, 2018 4 hours ago, cxgvd said: I think it is a neat detail. I agree! Makes me wonder about people who can't manage to change their oil every 7500 miles -- or especially those who can't wait to own a self-driving car... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RivNut Posted July 12, 2018 Share Posted July 12, 2018 On the 10th, 20th, and 30th. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dei Posted July 12, 2018 Share Posted July 12, 2018 14 hours ago, cxgvd said: I draw your attention to the brass name plate from the manufacturer, along the bottom it says to check the battery water every ten days. Ten days, how does an owner keep track of that, carry a calendar and write it down? I have my Grandparents Mantel Clock which is a windup spring run unit. It runs for 10 days when fully wound up. Perhaps things like the battery check were timed around something like this as a matter of habit? Like I imagine driving your '15 Buick would be, a different time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kgreen Posted July 12, 2018 Share Posted July 12, 2018 Here's a decent shot of the 1940 dash, compare this to the '39 and you will see no holdover to the design. On the speedo, it is of interest to see that the 1939 Buick went to 120, the 1940 only to 110 and the 1941 range went back to 120 mph. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kgreen Posted July 12, 2018 Share Posted July 12, 2018 Here's a shot of someone's 1941 dash. Similar layout to the '40 but lots more chrome and presence in the center of the dash. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kgreen Posted July 12, 2018 Share Posted July 12, 2018 (edited) Here's the 1942 Dash below. The radio controls were moved to the upper part of the dash possibly to improve the line of sight between the road and the distraction of the radio. The left and right instruments for engine function are lowered and the speedometer position is raised. Notice the foot operated ebrake? that was new for 42. Similar engine turning on dash panels and with a painted dash and a similar center console layout to the 41 at the radio speaker. I borrowed these pictures from a sale advertisement. Edited July 12, 2018 by kgreen (see edit history) 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kgreen Posted July 12, 2018 Share Posted July 12, 2018 The 1946 dash layout, engine turning not used though it could have been an option. Similar to the 1942 as would be anticipated after having just started production after the war. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kgreen Posted July 12, 2018 Share Posted July 12, 2018 1947 dash which is similar to the 46. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kgreen Posted July 12, 2018 Share Posted July 12, 2018 (edited) 1948 dash, best view I could find. Again the layout and finishes appear to be a reuse of the 1946-47 dash. The engine gauges and speedo are redesigned for a simpler less cluttered appearance and from what I can see, use brushed aluminum backgrounds rather than plastic. Edited July 12, 2018 by kgreen (see edit history) 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kgreen Posted July 12, 2018 Share Posted July 12, 2018 1949 dash, stylistically updated. The engine instruments, speedometer and radio controls share the same priority in the line of site. The dash panels are painted in the case of these two examples, the same color as the exterior body color. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kgreen Posted July 12, 2018 Share Posted July 12, 2018 The 1950 dash layout in this example seems to return to the pre-1949 style. In this photo the 1950 dash may be from a higher series car as the finishes appear to be upgraded. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Bruce aka First Born Posted July 12, 2018 Share Posted July 12, 2018 5 hours ago, kgreen said: 1948 dash, best view I could find. Again the layout and finishes appear to be a reuse of the 1946-47 dash. The engine gauges and speedo are redesigned for a simpler less cluttered appearance and from what I can see, use brushed aluminum backgrounds rather than plastic. This "symmetrical" style was used by several manufacturers. Same dash for right and left hand drive. Just change glove box door with instrument cluster. Ben 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Bruce aka First Born Posted July 12, 2018 Share Posted July 12, 2018 (edited) 5 hours ago, kgreen said: The 1950 dash layout in this example seems to return to the pre-1949 style. In this photo the 1950 dash may be from a higher series car as the finishes appear to be upgraded. 1950 Special, dash upper and lower are the same color. Super and Roadmaster are separate color upper and lower. Note the clock is not in the upper dash as in the pre '49. I have seen some pictures of '50s, first series Specials, which seemed to show the rectangular knobs, ala pre '49, instead of the round ones. Ben Edited July 12, 2018 by Ben Bruce aka First Born (see edit history) 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kgreen Posted July 12, 2018 Share Posted July 12, 2018 1 hour ago, Ben Bruce aka First Born said: This "symmetrical" style was used by several manufacturers. Same dash for right and left hand drive. Just change glove box door with instrument cluster. Ben That makes a lot of sense, thanks for pointing that out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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