I did not know that the 1961 Invcita/Electra's speedo was a mirror reflection. Is that true? It starts at around 20:50 Edit: I can see it now.. I don't agree with much with all the cars dashes he claimed.. The Pontiacs though always seemed sweet though. At about 24:00 in they show a 1961 Imperial. Wow what were they thinking?? That sure was alot!! Its amazing just how well built these dashes and seats were before 1968? Screws that you could take in and out all day long without stripping, thick chrome pot metal, thick vinyl or leather seats. For mass production they sure were nicely crafted. My 66GS's shifter knob weighed probably 4 pounds.. Even the door panels were stitched. Not saying anything that you experts don't know.. The 64 to 65 Riviera dash is #1 I think..
I think Pontiac mid to late 60’s ESPECIALLY the ‘65 GP dash was sweet, had a friend that bought a ‘65 GP 600 bucks back in ‘81 for his first car, Bondo buggy, but the 389 ran awesome, and the interior was mint, real woodgrain and all!
...yes, mirror speedo is true. The "thermometer" that registered speed was a diagonally painted cardboard tube rotated magnetically ala normal speedo needle. Unfortunately, high humidity could warp tube, causing it to not turn. When you think of '63-'65 Riv interior, think difficult heater core replacement. It was on inside of firewall, and dash, along with console, had to be removed...
Conversely, the '62 Chrysler was the easiest heater core to replace ever. There were some full-size Chevys that required dash removal as well. I think the heater core was the first part placed on the assembly line.
The 65 and 66 Ford Galaxie heater core replacement was also an easy job, if it had the 289. Two hoses, four small bolts, a bit of wiggling, and out it came. Toughest part was not damaging the insulation. Never did one on a 352/390/427/428 car though.
Buick had the Mirrormagic speedo in '60 & '61. '63-65 Pontiac GP interiors were easily among the best of any brand. Tho I don't have the Mirrormagic in my '59, it still does have the 'red liner' speedo with the rotating tube. Heater core in my '64 Catalina (no console) was easy from under the dash, but I can see a console likely being in the way. Have been messing with the heater assembly on my '59 (also no console), that would also be replacable easily... but neither of those is an E-Body (Riviera). '60 Chrysler Astro-Dome, esp in the 300-F, is definately top 5. 2 others worth including are the '56 Packard & '56 DeSoto dashes: Note the DeSoto's optional self-winding steering wheel hub clock.
When my 82 Regal needed a heater core I was bumming from the story's on how much work was involved on other cars in general.. I was pleasantly surprised to how pretty easy it was and knew going in on what to expect when my Gbody 84 Bonneville needed a replacment. Yup it's weird open and unsafe feeling sitting in the passenger seat of my Regal. Not that the Gbodys were safe cars. Why Buick let them produce them that way?? I have no clue.. The Cutlasses dash was so much better..
It WAS a weird sensation, like something is missing. I believe Buick did the Regal dash and Olds did the Cutlass dash to give the illusion of spaciousness. IIRC, the Grand Prix and Monte Carlo dash was the same design also.
I agree on the '60 - '62 Chrysler Astro-Dome. You also need to disconnect the battery before you get involved with the gauges. The electroluminescent lighting is operating on something north of 250 Volts AC. Ask me how I know...
Always loved the Chrysler Newport dash: If you haven't seen one, you have to sit in the car to understand that it extends into the column. VERY "space age" back then. Also, probably since it is my fav older car of this vintage, the 1961 Oldsmobile Starfire: Hard to see from this small pic--I can't find a larger one. Also, the only car I ever heard of that that offered a 2-color convertible top as an option. I also enjoyed the dash on my 1969 280SL (aftermarket steering wheel): Of course, all those British wood and leather dashes over the years from Rolls, etc., are pretty cool. Here is a random one (2017 Bentley Continental): There are many, many more, of course... Cheers!
...looking at all these dashes reminds me how much I like, and need on next car, the Head Up Display. I'm old, and with slowing reaction time, any time I don't have to look around for info is a plus. Also want Digital Rearview Mirror and surround cameras. Problem is, cars today don't have options, making us have to buy more expensive models with stuff we may not want, to get these features...
Yup like something is missing.. The Bonneville and GrandPrix had a much fuller dash spread. Even though I drove mine for 5 years I forgot and had to look it up.. This guy is trying a bit to hard to sell a car! Not my cup of tea though..
Is that how Mercedes sold the cars with AC? Meaning it looks they add the system at the dealer and ad the vents and knobs etc. to order?
Yep; MB, and bentley/rolls were all late with bringing out A/C- I think MB didn’t offer it until the late ‘60s… when Cadillac had it about ‘53. The euro brands weren’t really luxury cars then, at least not contemporary. Rolls had nice wood & leather/ seating, but they were all severely dated, down on power/performance, and had almost no modern amenities. MB/ bentley/rolls would just tack ductwork on the face or hanging below the dash- poorly integrated.
Yeah, my 87 Safari wagon (B body) had a “full” dashboard, but I was surprised at the ease of heater core replacement! I thought ( in the 90’s) “geez, they’re finally building these cars smart” Welllllllll, they went back to stupid
