Gauges, levers, lights, oh my! In the realm of automotive design, next to a vehicles exterior styling, there is arguably no other singular element that does as much to define a car as its dashboard, a piece of automotive equipment that has been evolving for well over 100 years.
Stretching from door to door, the dashboard (or instrument panel as it’s more commonly called) in large part reflects the overall character of an automobile and the personality of its manufacturer in its shape and sculpture. Everything from structural and decorative materials (woods, plastics, and metals) to the size and decoration of the numerous controls and instruments, including graphics, colors, and illumination, are carefully studied and rendered. As essential as its form is, it’s of even greater importance that the dashboards design supports its functionality, requiring a knowledge of the relationships between each facet of the dash along with an acute foresight into how the driver will interact with its various components. After all, the dashboard is, for all intents and purposes, where man and machine become one.
If you’re a fan of interior design of the automotive disposition and ever dreamed what it would be like to sit behind the wheel of an American classic, like the 1957 Chevy Bel-Air, 1965 Mustang, or 1967 Corvette, then GMP has just the thing for you, a truly impressive series of sizeable 1:6-scale dashboard replicas. Presented by the same company that brought us a lineup of highly detailed, highly interactive 1:6-scale engines, these dashboards are big on cool and heavy on the realism.
The 1957 Bel-Air dashboard, available in Tropical Turquoise or a two-tone Onyx Black and Silver, captures the elegant look of the original which was redesigned for 57, with its tri-pod assembly of gauges set behind a large steering wheel and chrome horn ring with an authentic Bel Air emblem. GMP’s replica of the 57 dash also includes the top center mounted speaker grille along with the bright metal trim panel which has been accurately molded with the proper mesh texture. All of the appropriate knobs and levers are in place as is a vintage AM radio and clock. The only thing that looks off here to me is the gold plated Bel-Air emblem positioned in the trim panel. The finish is correct, but the font and orientation aren’t quite true to the original.
GMP
#G0605101 1957 Chevy Bel-Air Dashboard - Aqua
#G0605202 1965 Ford Mustang Dashboard - Red
#G0605301 1967 Chevy Corvette Dashboard - Black
Photography & Review by Dave Nicholson
GMP
#G0605101 1957 Chevy Bel-Air Dashboard - Aqua
#G0605202 1965 Ford Mustang Dashboard - Red
#G0605301 1967 Chevy Corvette Dashboard - Black
Photography & Review by Dave Nicholson
The 1965 Mustang dashboard on the other hand looks spot on, imitating the look of the standard Mustang dash with the 120-mph speedometer centered between two round fuel and temperature gauges. Dressed in your choice of red or black, the texture of this dash has a nice simulated vinyl look to it, which was a popular feature in the mid-60’s as many of the dashboards of that period in time were still being fabricated out of metal. GMP’s Mustang dash also features a healthy dose of brightwork, including symmetrical touches of trim around the instrument panel and glove box, and a plated 3-spoke concave steering wheel with simulated holes in the spokes that were meant to evoke the look and feel of a sports car. Finishing off the look is a genuine running horse emblem with red-white-and-blue vertical bars positioned on the horn button and glove box door. Looking ahead, I’d love to see GMP do this dashboard with the optional Pony Interior equipment.
It should come as no surprise that the 1967 Corvette dashboard replica is equally as stunning as its 1:6-scale siblings from GMP. One of the more significant styling cues of the C2 dashboard was its new twist on the traditional twin-cowl design, which GMP’s rendition, available in black or red, has reproduced with exceptional accuracy. The passenger side cove incorporates a roomy glove box and its shape mirrors that of the instrument panel which, like the original, has the look of an airplane cockpit with large round speedometer and tachometer gauges clustered with four smaller gauges for monitoring fuel, water temp, battery, and oil pressure. Sandwiched between the coves is the Corvette’s “control tower” center console, featuring a clock, a vertically oriented radio, and four circular shaped dials. What impressed me the most about GMP’s Corvette dashboard though was it’s steering wheel, with its remarkably realistic wood grain rim, masterfully cut brushed metal spokes, finger indentations on the back, and precisely replicated cross-flag emblem on the horn button.
In addition to the jar full of eye candy GMP has poured into their sweet 1:6-scale dashboards, they’ve thrown in an extraordinary level of finger fun. Those radio controls and other miscellaneous knobs turn. The steering wheel turns smoothly, the turn signal levers move up and down with a distinctive "click" (as does the column shifter on the Bel Air), and the ash tray opens on those dashboards that are so equipped. GMP even threw in a a set of photoetched keys that fit in the ignition and also unlock the opening glove box which has a miniature owner’s manual inside. But be forewarned, the keys are incredibly delicate, so not only are they somewhat awkard to hold on to, but they're sure to be easily broken if used with too much force. GMP has thrown in a set of tweezers along with a detailed instruction card. My recommendation is to put these items to use.
If the built in detail and working features aren't enough, these 1:6-scale dashboards also feature working dash lights. That's right, pop a trio of triple-A’s in the panel on the back, pull the switch labeled "Lights", and you’ll get an idea of what it would be like (albeit in scale form and without any ambient noise) to go cruising at night behind the wheel of one of these classics. Furthermore, each of these dashboard replicas is supported by a pair of brushed metal posts mounted to a hefty cast base which is finished in black crackle paint and features a mirrored plaque with an embossed script along with an optional business card holder on the back for those that want to add some zing to their desktops.
It’s been said before, but the fact remains that GMP is one of the most creative manufacturers in the diecast modeling industry, and these 1:6-scale dashboards are further testimony to that truth. Priced just south of $60, these meticulously crafted works of automotive art offer plenty of bang for your buck. If you have the slightest proclivity for the peculiar, then any one of these dashboard replicas is sure to enhance your collection. I hope these are a hit for GMP as there are numerous other dashboards I’d like to see replicated in similar fashion, like the 1966 Charger, 1967 Shelby, and 1970 Chevelle SS, just to name a few. Gauges, levers, lights, oh my!
Happy Collecting,
DetourDave
