This 1968 Camaro received a complete interior redesign. The dash was removed and we started from scratch– even redesigning the dash cap. The customer specified a predominately black interior and we decided on red, used sparingly, to make for a nice accent color. All the red moldings you see are made from 3/16″ brass, sanded to fit and align, drilled and tapped for 4×40 studs to facilitate installation, and then primed and painted in a UV stable red. The customer requested a center console and rather than just design a stand alone console we designed a two tier free floating unit. The console was designed to house the power window switches, as well as relocate the wiper switch and headlight switch. Everything you see here, every trim piece, every detail molding was designed and hand built. Only the door handles are OEM. Only the A/C vents and an A/C controls are aftermarket supplied. Vinyl and other pertinent materials are used to set tolerances and gaps necessary during the early phase of design so as to insure perfect fitment when final assembled. Blue LED lighting features are used behind switches and controls for ease of operation during nighttime driving.
Getting started. Almost every OEM part was removed from the car and not used. The redesign begins
Hours and hours of time is invested in calculating angles and sweeps. The design is both based on aesthetics as well as the mechanics of how it will all fit together, transition from panel to panel, all with perfect gaps and finish as well as all hidden fasteners.
Curves and sweeps are carefully calculated as well as keeping an exacting eye on gaps by constantly checking with the upholstery fabric to be used in the final finishing process. Armrests are several pieces hand made from aluminum. They are shaped and fitted by removal and reinstallation as many as 20 or 30 times both to assure exacting fitment as well as location and securing the hidden fasteners. Hand made speaker cover panels are already covered in vinyl (temporarily) to keep an eye on gap, fit and alignment throughout the design process.
As many as 40 patterns are made throughout the process of design to check an double check side to side symmetry and are used to assure left and right parts are fabricated to mirror image.
A small sample of the many hand made one off parts, trim panels, and custom shaped moldings for the dash panel
Final assembly of all the pieces. Even a new wiring harness had to be made
Tiny hand made turn signal / high beam / oil light unit with lucite. Turn signals glow green as the light is transmitted through the translucent lucite winged indicators. Oil light glows red
Completed dash installed as it wraps around into door panel caps.
Finished “floating” console design awaiting final installation.
Cool blue led backlighting feature.
Cool blue accent lighting aids in switch location for passengers during night time driving.
Design transitions nicely to give a flow to the lines of the interior.
Completed interior installed is both sporty yet classic to suit the personality of the car.