Look at the Volvo 240's dashboard. Completely customizable - holes for 2 extra gauges to the right of the main cluster. Three more gauges can go in if you feel like moving the radio to the bottom. The main cluster can accept either a tach or a big clock. For bulb changing, the main cluster and glovebox, and center console remove with the unscrewing of a few obvious bolts.


Did I mention the center console? There are 4 or 5 extra pop-out panels for accessory switches to be added. Get a switch of the right size and just clip it in. No drilling or other ugly solutions required.


Notice all of the knobs and controls. They're all large and clunky enough to be used while wearing a nice, thick pair of winter gloves. Useful in Swedish (or New York, for that matter) winters.


Now, why can't designers of "modern" cars design dashes and interiors as logically as Volvo did? All of the so-called "aircraft-inspired" dashes that I see are non-intuitive and uncustomizable - real aircraft dashes have interchangable modules and lots of space for adding extra stuff.


-b.