Today I finally got the instrument cluster out. Turned out that the defrost vent hose was keeping me from moving it around. (Incidently I may need help rewiring the connectors to my gas gauge. 2 red wire on left, one black on right??)

Anyway, I pulled it, rehabed the odometer, tested it several times and put the whole thing back togther. I set the cluster on the dashboard opening and repositioned it a few times. I think it would look much nicer is it were raised up a couple of inches. This would expose the nice chrome face and make everthing a bit more visible while driving. I wouldn't have to take my eyes so far off the road to check my guages. The big problem I is obviously cutting a hole in my amazon's dashboard. However, the pad is off, the thing already has some modifications to it and it's all rusty on the left hand side. It's not pristine, so it's not like I'm painting over a picasso.

I also see the following problems. Speedo cable connector would be sticking up. I think more substantial dashboard mods would be necessary (aside from just cutting a hole) to cover the cable hookup. Securing the cluster would also require a new approach. I think I'd have to cut the flanges off and maybe drill some holes in the side. I'd definitly have to make a custom dashpad. I also see this an a nice opportunity to install some custom gauges: rpms, oil pressure, amp/volt meter, etc. I think putting them in a short 2-3 unit array built into the dash just to the right would be perfect. I was also thinking that cutting a section out of the right side of the dash and hinging it would give me a real glovebox. Maybe relocating the radio also. I'd probably just enlarge the hole for the cluster, cut a hole for a glovebox on the right, and use fiberglass fabric and resin to contrsuct the "new" dash.

Overall I'm thinking of the best features of the p1800 and the 544 dash combined in a 122.

Obiously this would be a largely irreversible modification to the dashboard. . I could probably lay my hands on a replacement dashboard panel at some point, then I could put it back the way it was. I do have a spare instruement cluster, so any mods to the housing could be switched out. So if it's a mistake, then it's fixable down the road.

Then again, maybe it'd be stupid. Care to talk me out of it?
I'm retty fixed on the cluster movement, however. I'm less sure about the rest.


--
You mean Volvo makes cars that are *NOT* Wagons?!?

Perhaps an ersatz "GT" dash fabrication would be easier. Then a right-angle speedo adaptor would work on your new speedo. The ribbon speedo is a nice retro-chic bit but some nice 5" gauges have been something I have been toying with for awhile (but the stock dash is CUTE).
Hmmm. I'm kidding no one. My dash will remain stock forever only because I have too many other things to deal with!

--
Mike!

Have a digicam? Some photos of your idea regarding relocation would be helpful.

I can't talk you out of it. New guages are something I think about from time to time. I have a spare dashboard, which is actually the dash in the car right now. Part of the parts cache that came with the '65 is a nice dash from a '68. The knobs and levers are different but the dash is in good shape and the guages are in very nice shape.

So when I put the '68 dash in I'll have my ratty '65 dash waiting around. Its been hacked on by PO's so no problems with disturbing it. I look at eguages.com and think about how nice it would be to have some appropriate and accurate guages.

Would like to hear how you end up on this one.

-Mario E.
Lawrence, KS

I'll snap a photo a play with it a bit to try and illustrate my plan.
--
You mean Volvo makes cars that are *NOT* Wagons?!?

I hear you about the wacky Amazon gauges. Every time I see the speedo flanging back and forth about 20+ mph above where it should be, I think about cannibalizing my 240 series accessory gauge cluster(round; yellow on black faces)!! It's probably only worth about $100 to $150 on Ebay, anyway. That way I wouldn't have to drill holes in my dashpad for an accessory tachometer.
My thinking on modifying old 122s and 544s is that there were (are) 1000's of these things around, so if yours isn't some super special example (used in a movie, belonged to some rock star, last one made, etc. ) then do what makes you grin when you slide behind the wheel. That's what it's all about, no?