The T-bird is the one that presented the greatest challenge since there's a metal skeleton that must be removed from an original 'Bird in order to make it work. However, Regal Roadsters of Madison, Wisconsin, is making an early 'Bird from 'glass, and getting a dash section from them could be doable. As for all of the other dash-related pieces, the likes of Obsolete Ford Parts, Inc., in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, is an ideal starting point.
The Mayabb illustration depicting a '36 Ford roadster with a '57 T-bird dash and steering wheel resting oh so neatly beneath the Stanley Wanlass windshield. (I can hear former SRM editor Tom Vogele in the early stages of swooning over this '36.) It has original instrumentation and sounds, but this time Mayabb goes a bit farther with a tonneau-styled cover that includes a headrest for both seats. And where did this come from? A '63 Type S 76B Thunderbird Sports Roadster cut down 8 to 10 inches to fit-of course. The grille is a solid piece of billet aluminum cut to look like a '37 LaSalle grille with more of a peak than original. Headlights are dropped with access to the headlight from under the fender. Whiskey model wheels are from Colorado Custom.
Okay, we have looked at outstanding examples of Thunderbird dashes-keeps the Ford-in-a-Ford theme alive and well. Now, the time has come to combine the reigning king of the American sports car-the Corvette-and its offerings to the street rod world.
Here Mayabb has really gone all-out and carried the theme to the highest degree. Again, we are looking at a Deuce as the canvas on which to paint the next offering.
Let's start slow with a So-Cal Speed Shop windshield atop a First-Generation Corvette dashboard ('53-57) with a Ford logo in the radio speaker. Yep, look closely, the Ford Blue Oval in the speaker grille is very cool as is the street rod-style column drop. You could even use an early Vette mounted inside the rearview mirror.
For the rodder who really wants to go for the gusto-how about modifying the top of the body to accept the Vette lookalike panel that would lift to give access to the fold-down top? Again, very cool and absolutely the way to go. The "waterfall" treatment is also part of the interior, allowing for a glovebox, as well permitting the use of Corvette twin bucket seats. You could really get carried away and use the Corvette factory trim around the seating. Remember, all of this is readily available from the Corvette supplier crowd.
Next up in the Corvette line is the Second-Generation dash ('58-62) complete with gauge pod, handgrip, and center console. This era of dash would normally have a padded dash cover, but here it becomes part of the bodywork and is finished with paint.
Mayabb illustrates how a '34 Ford cabriolet with roll-up windows could be pieced together. Aside from the Corvette items you could use the latest from Dakota Digital and their round Odyssey digital instruments. Couple that with a Flaming River reproduction Vette steering column, straight or tilt, along with a Flaming River repro of the original Vette wheel and you really have something nifty.
In closing, we look at the Mayabb illustration based on the use of a '55-56 T-bird dashboard surrounded by a Deuce roadster body outfitted with a DuVall windshield. Here, the dash is fitted just underneath the cowl section of the Deuce body directly beneath the windshield. It might be very cool to allow the instrument pod, with its "sunroof," to peak just above the cowl line.
What really makes the interior come alive is the use of the Mullins Steering Gear column, drop, and four-spoke wheel-very street rod but "feeling" right at home with the T-bird dash. Other interior appointments include the Lokar interior door handles and the Custom Autosound stereo that looks factory but is modern in the sounds it produces.
Well, like we said, this isn't your basic nostalgia rod or any popular build theme. It's different and meant to be so-so who out there has the huevos to go for it?