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Lets be honest here.... the instrumentation in the TR7 is a little ropey.
Okay so we all agree on that! Not that there's too much wrong with it looks
wise - after all it was designed nearly 30 years ago, and compared to the Allegro
it's fantastic. Actually comparing it to a Rover 600 (sorry Justin but the
Rover 600 really should be called the Rover Tweed Cap) would make it look
good.
No the TR7 dash is ropey in the fundamental manner of its operation, or
lack of! Right let's do a simple test.... everyone put a hand in the air (preferably
your own, however if the person next to you doesn't mind you may raise their's).
Here we go... put your hand down if your clock doesn't work. Hmmm a few hands
still up.... okay. Leave your hand up if your clock works when the ignition
is off. A few people are still out there.... okay, okay leave you hand up
if it's actually accurate. Ahhhh just the one person out there in Reykjavik
- can I buy your dash please?
Well you get the gist? The instruments don't always work... the temperature
gauge can be flakey, no doubt you've experienced the 'bouncy' rev counter
and 3 dash's later TRisha still hasn't got a clock which works all the time!
Jay Foster (as well as loading a 3.8litre v6 into his wedge) has ripped out
the standard instrumentation and fitted this electronic dash. Hat off to Jay
for this fine piece of work! The dash, from a Thunderbird, doesn't look out
of place at all.
Jay has worked in the Aerospace industry in the highly technical area of
interfacing engine management systems with the engine itself. This experience
enabled him to fit such a neat bit of kit into the car - without this sort
of knowledge you would only get basic instrumentation from the dash and not
the full features of the LCD display.
The illumination at night (see pic) does give the interior a very different
look indeed.
This is, obviously, not a straightforward swap and we can only suggest you
seek sound advice before attempting something similar. And another consideration
is do you really want the blue oval of F**d on your steering wheel!! Many
thanks again to Jay Foster for the images see
his
web pages for more images and information.
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