One of the reasons many of us build hot rods is akin to why painters, sculptors, and musicians ply the trade that they choose: personal expression. No two hot rods are the same due to that natural desire for us to add our own personal touches to our vehicles. Whether it's the paint scheme, interior design, wheels, or other more exotic modifications, every little detail of our cars is a well-thought-out extension of our own imagination.
And while the aftermarket industry has pretty well covered every aspect of what a car builder may desire when it comes to customization, there has been one area where there have been limitations in the past: instrumentation. Arguably, there are a myriad of companies today offering a number of different gauge and cluster designs, truly one-off instrument clusters have managed to elude most car builders-until now. Taking advantage of their R&D shop, the guys at Classic Instruments have stepped up to the plate to offer their experience at custom gauge building to Joe Hotrodder.
With everything from graphic design to an engineering department in place, Classic Instruments can truly offer a one-of-a-kind instrument cluster to those with even the most discerning taste. Whether it's a custom rework of a stock gauge cluster or a complete one-off, they can offer the experience, expertise, and knowledge that over 25 years in the gauge building business provides.
Take a look as we take you behind-the-scenes at the custom gauge shop at Classic Instruments and follow along as a '66 Chevy Bel Air cluster gets a custom face-lift.
The first step in the custom...
The first step in the custom build process begins when a Classic Instruments sales representative has initial contact with the potential customer. They talk about the process and discuss what the customer would like to have done. To give a firm quote the customer is asked to send the gauges they would like to have built into Classic Instruments. If custom dials are being built, Classic Instruments requests a rough sketch of what the customer is looking for as well as sample colors.
Once the package is received...
Once the package is received from the customer, it is carefully recorded into a receiving log, photographed, and dated. Projects are time sensitive with the goal of completion on each project being 8-10 weeks from the approval of the quote.
The customs sales department...
The customs sales department calls the customer once the project is sent in to discuss possible design options. Notes are taken on what the customer's ideas are for the final design and what they would like incorporated in the gauges, like high beam and turn indicators, pointer style, colors and graphic layout (nostalgic or custom). The sales representative also confirms what the gauges came out of, are going into, and what the engine and transmission in the project will be.
Members from the design, build,...
Members from the design, build, and graphics team all gather to see what it will take to put the customer's ideas into reality. This is where the quote is created and the build process is mapped out. This is a brainstorming session where the initial engineering of the build is discussed.
The customer is then called...
The customer is then called and the quote is presented along with the lead time for the project's completion. Basic paperwork and a customer file are completed and the initial deposit is taken. A customer card is created, which is assigned a time slot to ensure an expedited delivery.
The project is assigned a...
The project is assigned a numbered bin and is ready to begin its journey toward the build tables. The bins allow the team to keep everything relevant to the build with the project at all times.
The gauges are disassembled...
The gauges are disassembled and throughout the process notes and pictures are taken to document the build.
The graphics department creates...
The graphics department creates a proof and emails it to the customer. This gives the customer the opportunity to see the project prior to the final build and enables the team to make any minor graphical revisions that the customer may request.
Now, engineering and designing...
Now, engineering and designing of the internal operation for the gauges begins using a 3-D program for the build. This is where precision engineering and CAD drawings determine the fit and finish of the new modern movements into the original housings.