Alternatives to standard 1303 dash

[jonnyspatter]

As much as I love 1303's (the bulbous front end, the more aggressive stance etc.), I'd be the first to admit the standard dash does not look good! But what is the alternative? I've seen many good looking german lookers spoiled by retaining the dash, that big, black lump of wood-trimmed plastic that just don't suit anything other than a bone-stock '03!

I'm at the begining of my GL '03 project, so it's pretty low down on my list of jobs at the moment, but its the only thing I can't get any inspiration for!

I'm going for the stripped-out racer look with a mid grey paint job and ally panelling, so don't want the big '03 dash hanging over my lap and ruining everything. If anyone has the December 2000 Total VW, check out Lee Arnold's superb looker on p38 to see what I mean.

I've considered everything from mounting the gauges straight to the bulkhead, to putting them in pods on 1.5" dia bar running from the door hinge posts. Even modifying a split screen van dash I've got lying about!

This must be a common problem as most GL '03's in the mags don't have interior shots at all!! So could someone post up what they did/saw/any ideas?

I need help!