Elio Gauge Cluster - Lord Elgin? - Other Options?

[goofyone]

G1, I'm a little lost and as this forum has grown up quite a bit, I can't spend the time searching out the answer so I'm going to ask you here. Here's what I think is the case:
1. The Elgin dash is the only dash they will offer.
2. It looks better in person so don't judge too harshly via pictures
3. The numbering in the pictures is not the same as the production model which will have better deliniation
4. The Skyzmatic is not an Elgin replacement but rather an augmentation that will share dash space somewhere (and potentially cost about $2,000)
5. The gas cap is on the correct side - away from the only door and traffic. (sorry, but it's just too funny that the gas cap thread is so long)

As far as I am aware at this time all of those statements are factual except for the gas cap being on the 'correct' side which I simply won't comment on.

 

[JEBar]

G1, I'm a little lost and as this forum has grown up quite a bit, I can't spend the time searching out the answer so I'm going to ask you here. Here's what I think is the case:
1. The Elgin dash is the only dash they will offer.
2. It looks better in person so don't judge too harshly via pictures
3. The numbering in the pictures is not the same as the production model which will have better deliniation
4. The Skyzmatic is not an Elgin replacement but rather an augmentation that will share dash space somewhere (and potentially cost about $2,000)
5. The gas cap is on the correct side - away from the only door and traffic. (sorry, but it's just too funny that the gas cap thread is so long)

as to #2, I've seen it, I've held it .... having done so didn't improve my impression from having just seen it in pictures

Jim

 

[interloper07]

So I'm going to guess that this dash that PE must have is not an American made part seeing how the one they are showing is metric. Can't they find an American manufacturer to make a good looking functional dash.

As others have mentioned, the supplier is American. Despite being American, most automotive engineers in America work in metric. GM, Ford, and Chrysler, all do their engineering in metric, as do their suppliers. The signals over the CANbus are most likely in metric units, and it probably made more sense to validate a cluster in metric.

 

[corvairbob]

it lookslike for now this dash is going to be the standard but sales may mandate a change. it has some issues that now will be a hurdle to jump and the dash may just be another one. but i say after they make the first year run and it is time to make model changes the dash will go, or at least become an option that buyers can opt out of. i for one do not really like it and has been mentioned for us that may not be a reason to not get one but keep in mind he needs to sell more the 250k units to stay in business. plus how many other manufactures may jump into this in a year or so down the road and offer just what emi fails to offer. yes they have to keep it simple now and grandpa may have had a promise made to him, if i make it i will put this in it. but the sales will dictate what stays and what goes, we all know that is a fact, just look around.

 

[Puna bob]

There is always a chance the Elio dash will become iconic like a Thunderbird's fins or Desoto grill because it is unique.

 

[corvairbob]

so how many will take it out, open up the window on the dials for more visibility to the numbers and just put it back in. or maybe some ambitious person will start making the covers in their garage and ebay them to the rest of us with instructions on how to make the swap. stranger things!

 

[corvairbob]

yes but that will take years you going to wait? sales will determine if it stays or goes. in 20 years if it does become iconic the first ones will demand a big price. if that happens and your lucky enough to have one you may make some money. personally i don't want to wait for that day.

 

[ross]

As far as I am aware at this time all of those statements are factual except for the gas cap being on the 'correct' side which I simply won't comment on.

I hate to rise to the bait. However as narrow as the E-car is, is there really a 'wrong' side for the gas cap, I mean really people, we aren't talking about a Suburban, Escalade, Explorer, or Expedition here, where it might be an issue to gas up on the 'wrong' side. Remember the E-car is narrow and low, so how hard can it be to drag the hose around or over the single rear wheel to put 8 gallons of gas in and go 672 miles. I couldn't care less which side the gas cap is on, I'll deal with it. Pull up to pump from the other direction.

 

[goofyone]

As others have mentioned, the supplier is American. Despite being American, most automotive engineers in America work in metric. GM, Ford, and Chrysler, all do their engineering in metric, as do their suppliers. The signals over the CANbus are most likely in metric units, and it probably made more sense to validate a cluster in metric.

This is very true. Most engineers and scientists in this country are trained and do the vast majority of their work using metric dimensions and calculations. I know that is the way I was taught and have done a lot of my work.

 

[pistonboy]

As far as I am aware at this time all of those statements are factual except for the gas cap being on the 'correct' side which I simply won't comment on.

I am all in for $1,000 with a number of 7761. If the elgin dash had been in the P4 videos, I may have not bothered putting a deposit on the Elio. It is that ugly to me. The media will have a great time with this dash. They will portray it as a result of trying to be cheap in price and also in quality as a result. They will make fun of it. It will be the one thing elio will be laughed at.
The simplicity of the P4 gauge cluster is elegant. These are simple gauges that have been around for a very long time. They must be inexpensive. I do not know why the hideous and difficult to read elgin dash was chose. It is even potentially dangerous because it is more difficult to read. Who came up with this? Some artsy-fartsy person who wanted to show how artistic they are?
I can only hope the aftermarket will offer a better dash. Why can't the one in the P4 at least be offered as a option.