Hotrod panels, lights

[3W Hank]

In the build up of my 5W 32 in a race style ( pre NHRA 1951 ) and in Los Angeles style ( my way see it )
It’s not a full racecar but more of a street racer and all Henry, Ford/Lincoln and speed parts most LA made pre 1949.

-Was this done 1949, well I set my ideas what was sold and ’what’ could been used or ’what’ could be done.
I limited the car to not use to much overkill parts, but I do has 1/8” stroked 49 crank, Lincoln brakes, Kong distributor, 4 LZ carbs, and a full series of Wings that my guess very few or non-used on the streets back then ( besides trend setters or true race cars )

I’ll just got my gauges back from restoration and I has not decided what to do on the dash really.
I has the S/W Master or aka the ’Hollywood’ panel.
This panel might was designed for boats/twin engines or never went into a hotrod for many reasons, to big or to ugly, or to expensive fill it with gauges but S/W sold them in the late 40’s.
So I can go std 32 dash and gauges in row, nice and racy but I has bought a 32 Auburn dash and it might be to big in a 5W but I like the deep angle and my guess few or non-used a Hollywood panel in a hotrod back then.
Was it possible, Yes.
This panel is near the same height as the std 32 Auburn panel, but that panel is nice but too much prewar to me.
So I might use some ’bling’ in my conservative racers coupe.
-Ideas on that.

I bought 2 start buttons, one satin nickel and a chromed one, the nickel one might be old NOS but the chromed one look new Taiwan, but was told be old NOS.
The panel and the rings on the gauge is chromed, but I find the nickel better I guess.

So a question of the thread ;
I will keep the IGN std 32.
I has 2 extra holes in panel, so I need light switches etc ( street things ) but I’m not keen on to those switches visible in the car.
So what to use, an oil pressure ( red ) light and a AMP light ( green ) light.
But where to find lights that fit the gauge that are old and fit the start button design.
-Ideas on this.

[ford38v8]

I'd like to see speedo, tack, oil, and water. No bling, maybe a small horizontal panel of toggle switches and idiot lights only. "Just the facts, Ma'am".

[rich b]

Machine and polish a couple stainless bezels that match the shape/style of the start button.

Use red for both lens* and inside the lens use an opaque panel with OIL printed on one and GEN on the other.

Probably will need to experiment with bulbs to get the lighting right.

*I'd look for some old lights with convex lenses about the same diameter of the button and remove and reuse the lens in the new lights.

Don't think the attached picture will have enough quality to enlarge; but the two red lights say OIL & GEN. Came from an old Ford industrial engine housing.

Not sure why; but I like really like the way they light up when I flip the ignition switch.

[3W Hank]

I was into what more std lights was used back then fit this panels, brands and design.
And where to find them today.
I might not need 'idiot lights', just an idea to fill the holes.
I find on internet old style black swithes for retro cars, or just use a std toggle swith on/off, tha must be also classic.
-So what do one need really, start button, lights, turn light switch.
I find this on my Ferguson 47 tractor, it's Bosch, but it’s big at 1.25, start button is 1”, and one is for turn signals and anotherone for lights.
In this coupe I will try stay away of a turn signal on the steering wheel tube.

[3W Hank]

What was used in VV2 aircrafts hot rodders might has used ?

[Ronnieroadster]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Hank your heading in the right direction many Hot Rodders in that era would have used old surplus military switches from airplanes and vehicles of the era. Even Ford truck or car head light switches from 1948 to 1951 would be a perfect fit for your dash panel.
Ronnieroadster

[3W Hank]

I found this, look cool but dont know era.
It seems one turn the knob to activate ?

[rich b]

Originally Posted by 3W Hank

I found this, look cool but dont know era.
It seems one turn the knob to activate ?

Had some aircraft switches like that; the outer part of the toggle was spring loaded and had to be pulled out to disengage notches in the body to be moved.

Guess they were set up so they couldn't be accidently switched both on and off.

Found them in the pre-expended stock (free bin) at NAS Cubi Point long ago.

[3W Hank]

I think this ones is at turned position they will be able to work less one move them upp same time.
I dont know era or diameter on thread.
They look to be older vintage.
I guess as indication they vill fall into my panel as the hole is 1”.

[3W Hank]

I decided to not use so call 'idiot lights' but instead go for the Cutler-Hammer switches I found, and I asked a old pilot in US airforce ( a hotrodder ) and he said it was landing gear toggles.
This ones hold ON, but there are some with springs to that go back to OFF.
This NOS and are vintage but as I heard its a timeless part so it can be 40's ( as I like it to be ) so for me its a VV2 toggle.
It do fit the start button and remove some of the 'bling' from use this Hollywood panel.
I shaved off allot on this car, but I really did like the Wings in that panel.

So as it was 2 toggles in the deal one will be IGN and the other one lights.
I will remove the std 32 collumdrop now after this ideas and use the plate that was on the F1 steering box tube.
As I might use the 32 Aburn dash and that is taller than the 32 std dash, so I don't need get down the tube as if I used the 32 dash.
One issue use the F1 steering box is the angle is pretty bad, so tube need to come down.
But I did like to replace the 32 std steering box and bought a F100, but I fell for the F1 as 48-52. That did fit better my time plan.
When I get the toggles I will take a picture so you see what came out.

[3W Hank]

I got the switches but it took 3 mont to reach Sweden via eBay plus I had to pay VAT twice. It’s not easy all this…
But meanwhile I found swithes from a old Sweden army tank.
I kind like thoose and the decals on the Hollywood panel.
But the old bomber safty switches are cool but they did not fit well on panel with the Wings. See picture what you think.
I got parts I bought at LARS as a Auburn 32 dash and it’s big inside a 32 5W but I like the deep dash as the day I saw Dick Wades 32 3W Kennedy builded. People tell me to use the Hollywood dash is not Ok but if fit great in the wider Auburn panel and my way see it is super cool.
I will get pictures when the dash is narrowed and can fit ( mock-up in car ) but I still not decide, it can be a std 32 dash and gauge in a row.

-But for the switches, just aother time consuming and expensive experiance on the left over shell… :- ))
Or… see tank to left and bomber to right.
Safty is one rotate them if in a look position.