Chrome dashboard gauge surrounds/rings

Talk about the E-Type Series 1

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gmunro
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#1 Chrome dashboard gauge surrounds/rings

Post by gmunro » Wed Nov 28, 2018 5:03 am

Hi gents and ladies,

Just for discussion, any comments regarding the idea of having chrome rings on the dashboard gauges on a Series 1, 4.2, OTS as an alternative to the standard black? I mean the entire set, speedo, rev counter and the four small gauges.

I haven't seen one done yet so no idea how it would look. Has anybody seen this alternative or have pictures to share?

Great to have your thoughts and comments.

Yours aye,

George
1967 Series 1 OTS

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mgcjag
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#2 Re: Chrome dashboard gauge surrounds/rings

Post by mgcjag » Wed Nov 28, 2018 8:48 am

Hi George...its your car so you can do wat you want...bling it up isnt really my thing and it certainly would stand out..but so would furry seat covers and go faster stripes.. :bigrin: Just my opinion..Steve
Steve
69 S2 2+2 (just sold) ..Realm C type replica, 1960 xk150fhc

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gmunro
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#3 Re: Chrome dashboard gauge surrounds/rings

Post by gmunro » Wed Nov 28, 2018 9:40 am

Hi Steve,

LOL !! I'm with you really ..... keep it as it should be. I just wanted to hear what our E-Type brethren would have to say in general about the look.

Nothing like a good debate first thing in the morning :salute:

I have just been reading the debate regarding engine/gearbox removal without the need to remove the reaction tie plate - you were a contributor. Each to their own but I agree that when giving advice on jobs where injury could result if you do not follow the advice and guidance given by the manufacturer, one must be very, very careful indeed.

Many thanks for replying to my post.

Yours aye,

George
1967 Series 1 OTS

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mark10337
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#4 Re: Chrome dashboard gauge surrounds/rings

Post by mark10337 » Wed Nov 28, 2018 10:49 am

Fashions, styles and tastes change over time. I'm sure I've seen some pictures of it done. At the end of the day, it is YOUR car. The majority of cars tend to get personalised in one way or another, even something minor like swapping bulbs for LEDs, electric aerial instead of a static one etc etc.
All I would say is, do it tastefully (which is subjective), keep the original parts, and it should be easily reversible.

In the case of Chrome rings this is pretty simple to change back, when you or the next owner decide you don't want it any more. It is your car, and up to you to say what is changed from how it is now.
Last edited by mark10337 on Wed Nov 28, 2018 11:49 am, edited 1 time in total.
-Mark

1969 Series 2 OTS, Regency Red
'Life's to short to drive a boring car'

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christopher storey
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#5 Re: Chrome dashboard gauge surrounds/rings

Post by christopher storey » Wed Nov 28, 2018 11:47 am

Goerge - if you want a rough idea of how it might look, have a look - perhaps in the saloon section of xkedata - at interior pics of S1 XJ6s, which had chrome bezels. On the XJ, they look ok against the woodwork , but against the black of the E they would stand out rather more and against the alloy dash if that's what you have, personally I feel they might look a bit strange

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#6 Re: Chrome dashboard gauge surrounds/rings

Post by cactusman » Wed Nov 28, 2018 12:32 pm

As others say....your car so do what ever suits you. Not sure chrome surrounds would be my choice but everyone has their own tastes. Most of us have modified our cars...I have....LED bulbs, better brakes, better radio..I could list a lot more. I have yet to see two truely identical e types :bigrin: It is a change that can be easily reversed so why not if you want to I say....
Julian the E-type man
1962 FHC
1966 MGB....fab little car too

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288gto
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#7 Re: Chrome dashboard gauge surrounds/rings

Post by 288gto » Wed Nov 28, 2018 4:57 pm

From E Type UK’s website....
Attachments
F9907DC4-E3BC-4654-896F-371022F9E683.jpeg
F9907DC4-E3BC-4654-896F-371022F9E683.jpeg (145.31 KiB) Viewed 6086 times
Simon
1969 S2 OTS

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Bfastr
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#8 Re: Chrome dashboard gauge surrounds/rings

Post by Bfastr » Wed Nov 28, 2018 5:45 pm

I like the look of Chrome.. now that I see it, those rings seem large for stock tho, maybe they are add on chrome bezels that fit over the stock unit without having to take the gauges apart and having them chromed? that would be a nice option. surely somebody makes or sells something like that. then its a temporary modification and if you get tired of it you could just remove it.
Bob F

69 S2 E-type OTS LHD

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edriver
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#9 Re: Chrome dashboard gauge surrounds/rings

Post by edriver » Wed Nov 28, 2018 7:34 pm

Klaus
1963 FHC 889633, 1979 Porsche 928, 1991 Mazda MX-5

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mark10337
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#10 Re: Chrome dashboard gauge surrounds/rings

Post by mark10337 » Wed Nov 28, 2018 9:38 pm

a brushed aluminium look might suit the S2 better as the steering wheel and gear gator surround is a brushed effect.
-Mark

1969 Series 2 OTS, Regency Red
'Life's to short to drive a boring car'

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gmunro
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#11 Re: Chrome dashboard gauge surrounds/rings

Post by gmunro » Thu Nov 29, 2018 8:30 am

Many thanks gents for all the replies and opinions - an interesting debate. It may be nice to fit chrome and see how it looks and how it feels after it has been done ...... by purchasing chrome rings (thanks Klaus) it gives the option to return it to original later if desired and without a whole lot of money having been spent on re-chroming the originals.
1967 Series 1 OTS

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#12 Re: Chrome dashboard gauge surrounds/rings

Post by PeterCrespin » Thu Nov 29, 2018 12:59 pm

I put burl walnut on the centre panel then chrome rim minor instruments. Looked nice IMHO, but not 'sporting. Beware bling inside an OTS cabin if driving with the top down on a nice summer's day. Distracting glare is the reason they substituted brushed finishes for polished.


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1E75339 UberLynx D-Type; 1R27190 70 FHC; 1E78478; 2001 Vanden Plas

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1954Etype
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#13 Re: Chrome dashboard gauge surrounds/rings

Post by 1954Etype » Thu Nov 29, 2018 2:18 pm

Pete, are you being Serious?! That looks absolutely terrible! Thanks for that, it will take me days to unsee that!
Angus 67 FHC 1E33656
61 OTS 875047

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#14 Re: Chrome dashboard gauge surrounds/rings

Post by PeterCrespin » Fri Nov 30, 2018 3:42 am

You saw it a few times but the flash makes the wood look lighter. In normal view it was pretty dark.

I think you may have driven it without comment, but without your fave MX5 high chairs, you were probably concentrating on seeing over the dash pad :bigrin:

I remember Karen calling it 'Retro', complete with white hard top, but she was in her Figaro Fhase at the time. Anyway, someone liked it enough to nick it.. :evil:
1E75339 UberLynx D-Type; 1R27190 70 FHC; 1E78478; 2001 Vanden Plas

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#15 Re: Chrome dashboard gauge surrounds/rings

Post by 1954Etype » Fri Nov 30, 2018 7:57 am

I must have wanted something from you as I was being polite. Mrs M has had her eyes lasered since then.
Angus 67 FHC 1E33656
61 OTS 875047

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Robbiee
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#16 Re: Chrome dashboard gauge surrounds/rings

Post by Robbiee » Fri Nov 30, 2018 10:18 am

Why???
Robbie 1962 3.8 Coupe OSG 1962 OTS ODG

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#17 Re: Chrome dashboard gauge surrounds/rings

Post by MaroonV12 » Sun Dec 30, 2018 7:00 am

I saw an example of a FHC at a car show last year with chrome surrounds and it looked fantastic.
It really lifted the interior and gave it an extra look of quality.
its the only one Ive seen but I will be doing the same to the car Im restoring

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