[Mike Peters]

I will defer to Bratton's catalog on this one. In the world of Model A's, the "dash" panel is Part #16720 for 28-29. And 16730 for 30-31. It is held onto the front of the gas tank with 4 10-32 round head plated screws. It's purpose is to mount the ammeter, ignition switch, and speedometer and to frame the gas gauge. Earlier dash panels were butler nickel plated, while later (30-31) ones were chrome plated. This is not to be confused with another part of the Model A interior called the "dash rail". The dash rail extends across the upper part of the gas tank, above the dash panel, from windshield post to windshield post. The dash rail is usually painted either trim or upper body color.