Another R Model Instrument Panel Question

Hi Jerry,

The factory notch in the dash that you speak of is for the '66 style gauge cluster. That gauge cluster was not used in the '65 cars as they had the sweaping style of speedometer, not the round gauge. The '65 GT's (and deluxe interior cars, I believe, although I could be wrong on that note) had the '66 style gauges, so those were the only cars that received the dimpled dash from the factory (what you refer to as the semicircular cutout). The K code cars received by Shelby were not GT models, and hence did not have this relief in the dash.

To further clarify, look at any "S" model. They all have the sweaping style speedometer that does not require the cutout. R's and S's were made from the same car from Ford (although some of the R's were shipped less interiors, etc.).

Short answer - In 1965, only GT's and Deluxe Interior cars received the round instrument bezels which required the dash relief. All cars shipped to Shelby were non-GT K-codes, and therefore did not have the relief.

Does that answer your question? Ultimately, your R-model clone should NOT receive the cutout. If your car has it and is a '65, it was probably a GT (A or K code - doesn't matter).

Josh

BTW - I have a '65 fastback A-code (not a GT) and a '65 GT coupe A-code. The GT has the factory relief in the dash, the fastback does not. The instruments are out of both right now, I can send you pictures if you'd like. I also have the full dash section out of a '66 with the relief if you like to see that, but I don't think it's necessary.

 

This is the reason I found and replaced my entire 66 dash with a 65 that I found on E-BAY. I couldn't deal with the notch.

 

Hi Jerry,

Aside from the notch, I believe they are identical. When I get home I can compare the full spare '66 dash section I have to my fastback's dash, which is stripped at the moment. The only difference I can think of that might be a possibility is if there are holes for the '66 dash pad lower on the dash, since the '66 dash pad comes down lower, but I do not think that's the case. If I remember correctly, the two large holes over the radio opening are in exactly the same place from '65 to '66. I'll email you an overall picture of the stripped dash from my fastback, that way you can compare it to your dash and verify that your dash is the same as a '65 non-GT. Mine's not a San Jose car, but I don't think there'd be any difference in the dash.

Either way, the only possible difference would be in the dash pad holes, not in the contour of the dash, so you should be able to keep the dash you've got in your car no matter what. If I were removing the notch, I would cut out the notch in your '66's dash and bend up an 18 ga patch and butt weld it in place rather than replace the whole dash. As you said, that should be pretty simple compared to the extensive sheet metal replacement you've performed on that car.

I really enjoyed the pictures from the german mustang forum you sent, by the way... it's motivating me to get off my lazy bum and work on my car!

Good luck!
Josh

 

Hi Jerry,
I put the '66 dash on top of my '65's dash and compared every screw hole, detail, etc., and they're exactly the same except for the notch for the round instrument cluster in the '66. Here are a few pictures (the gold dash is the '66 - never been cut or painted... the black is the '65 - used to be red). I have a lot more if you want me to email them to you, but like I said, they're identical except for the notch.

Good luck,
Josh

 

Hi Jerry,

I checked the holes and they're 23/64" (approximately 9.13mm). I thought maybe I wasn't getting a good fit with my calipers and it must be 3/8", but I could not fit the shank of a 3/8" drill bit in the holes. It did not seem to be due to paint, either. It appears as if they were punched at slightly under 3/8".

On the subject of mounting the gauges in front or behind the dash, did you see the close up picture of the gauge cluster for 5R533 at Colin's Classics?

http://www.colinsclassicauto.com/zoom.php?car=336&pic=24

Hope that helps!

Josh

 

Hi Jerry,

I was having a hard time believing that those holes were 1/64" less than 3/8", so I checked one of the '65 dashes, and it was a really tight, difficult fit, but I got the shank of the 3/8" drill bit into the holes on the '65. So, I'd say they are supposed to be 3/8". Perhaps there was a little paint left in the '66 dash, or perhaps the Ford die was a little worn by the time it was punching holes in the '66 dash back at the factory.

Keep updating us with pictures! Are you going to paint it yourself too, or do you have somebody lined up for that? Must be exciting to be so close to paint.

Good luck.
Josh