ABC Performance's Pro Touring 1966-1967 Chevy Chevelle Dash Install

Here is the first dash that Tony G from ABC Performance built and, as you can see, it's pretty cool when finished and full of gauges.

Here is the first dash that Tony G from ABC Performance built and, as you can see, it's pr

The '66-67 Chevelle has some of the most killer exterior lines of the A-body cars. The long deck lid, sunk-in rear window, and angled C pillars are some of the things that make this muscle car one of the favorites in this author's eyes. Unlike the exterior, the interior is not nearly as cool, specifically the dashboard. The sunken instrument cluster and radio area make it difficult to add aftermarket goodies like gauges and a modern head unit. While you can squeak in some gauges and a radio, the looks can leave something to be desired. And we won't get into when the head unit ejects the CD into the upper area of the dash.

We have been slowly wrenching on a '66 that will be a test mule for all kinds of things and wanted a full assortment of big, easy to read gauges, but didn't want them placed around the dash all willy-nilly. A few months back, we installed a shaved firewall panel we got from ABC Performance and that is when we found out about the company's Pro Touring dash. Tony G, owner of ABC, takes a stock instrument panel and works some sheetmetal magic to remove the upper portion of it and widen the opening for an gauge insert. This mod allows you to install a combination of two 5-inch gauges (speedometer and tachometer), and six 2 5/8-inch gauges, or two 5-inch gauges and four 2 5/8-inch gauges, while still leaving room for a single-DIN radio and center air conditioning vent.

After the metal on the dash has been redesigned, ABC offers an aluminum insert to which you can add all your gauges. The company offers precut inserts with all the gauges holes or you can get a blank insert and come up with your own layout. We decided to get a blank insert because we still need to finalize the drivetrain so we are not quite sure what gauges we'll need. What is really cool about the Pro Touring piece is that it's still a stock panel around the outside so it will bolt right into the Chevelle. One thing to note about this Pro Touring dash is you will need to relocate all of the components (ignition, headlight, wiper, and the lighter) that reside in the upper portion of the dash.

Here is what ABC starts with-a salvage dash with some rust and damaged radio area, but basically straight.
Here is what ABC starts with-a salvage dash with some rust and damaged radio area, but bas
Before the modding can begin, the entire dash is media blasted to remove all of the paint and rust so they are working with clean metal. ABC prefers to use cores with butchered up radio sections. Since it gets cut out for the Pro Touring dashboard, the company would rather leave pristine dashes for people who are restoring their cars.
Before the modding can begin, the entire dash is media blasted to remove all of the paint
The entire top part of the dash is removed with a cut off wheel from the backside.

The 20-gauge sheetmetal sections are hand-fabricated to expand the opening height of the dash across the full width.
The 20-gauge sheetmetal sections are hand-fabricated to expand the opening height of the d
The upper corners are some of the most challenging parts to fabricate because they are a diminishing compound curve.
The upper corners are some of the most challenging parts to fabricate because they are a d
All of the welding is TIG to minimize distortion and for extremely clean welds. Tony G says, "I spend 15 hours converting a stock dash to a Pro Touring dashboard." After all the welding is completed, the dash is coated in PPG wash primer and the instrument insert is screwed in place.
All of the welding is TIG to minimize distortion and for extremely clean welds. Tony G say

Here is a comparison shot of a stock and Pro Touring dash...
...It's pretty apparent how much more room there is for aftermarket gauges. A new location will need to be found for the ignition, headlight, and wiper switches, but that's what makes building a resto mod car so much fun.
...It's pretty apparent how much more room there is for aftermarket gauges. A new location
Again, since all the mods are done to a stock dash it bolts right into the car. The dash will need to be skimmed with a thin coat of body filler to smooth out the welds before painting. Since Tony uses a TIG welder, they are small and won't be too difficult to cover up. Once we figure out what gauges we'll need for the Chevelle, it'll be just a matter of cutting some holes in the removable aluminum insert.
Again, since all the mods are done to a stock dash it bolts right into the car. The dash w