Heater control panel

[Artie]

Guys, I redid my A/C-Heater control panel in an aluminum look. I don't have enough global space here for a pic but I put it in my garage. Check it out and let me know your thoughts. I could produce these if any one else would want one. I was elated at how well it came out! I will shoot a couple pics tomorrow when I get my knobs dried and put it all together so you can see what it looks like assembled.

Artie

Edited September 13, 2006 by Artie

[Vulcan Grey]

upload your image to

http://www.imageshack.us and paste the link using the insert image command

[Artie]

upload your image to

http://www.imageshack.us and paste the link using the insert image command

SWEET! Thanks Travis!

Art

[Pete_Inno]

Guys, I redid my A/C-Heater control panel in an aluminum look. I don't have enough global space here for a pic but I put it in my garage. Check it out and let me know your thoughts. I could produce these if any one else would want one. I was elated at how well it came out! I will shoot a couple pics tomorrow when I get my knobs dried and put it all together so you can see what it looks like assembled.

Artie

Count me in for one. It looks sweet.

Pete

[markt]

Looks nice Art

Out of interest, how did you replicate the graphics? Letraset type of rub-down transfer system or what?

Because mine's an 84, and prefer the black background, I was going to scan, redraw and get something printed on the same stuff you would use for a backlight poster. The ali looks nice, just don't think it would suit my car though - newer models sure...

I'm very curious as to what you did

Cheers - Mark

[esprithk]

very nice looking.

are you sure there are 2 switches to choose hot/cold? (red to blue, only one button is needed to adjust this)

I think there is a button for "vent open/ vent close" (allow outside air to come inside, or block it)

Edited September 13, 2006 by esprithk

[CarlC]

Looks really smart Art. Looking forward to seeing how it looks mounted with the dials on.

Great job though, looks professionally done too. B)

[jimmybondi]

Because mine's an 84, and prefer the black background, I was going to scan, redraw and get something printed on the same stuff you would use for a backlight poster. The ali looks nice, just don't think it would suit my car though - newer models sure...

I'm very curious as to what you did

Cheers - Mark

Mark - redid my graphic panel and made some 'modifications'

I could send you the file, if you like...

[Artie]

Mark - redid my graphic panel and made some 'modifications'

I could send you the file, if you like...

, thanks Carl, I'll put er together this evening when I get home from work and upload 'em.

That's pretty cool! I like the modifications to your panel! The panel was done with a lazer engraver. My folks own an awards and trophy shop and we can lazer etch, engrave, and all sorts of stuff. We have catalogs of any type of plastic, metal, etc. I just thought I'd give it a go and see how it turned out. We have a vinyl/sticker cutter and can replicate any thing to make it into graphics, stickers, etc. I had the girl who does all of the engraving scan the old panel into the computer then had it reverse engraved onto the back of the aluminum look plastic which is only silver on one side and clear on the other so it would be able to be back lit when I put the lights on behind it! The plastic comes in black/clear, silver/clear, and I believe red/clear. I can check though!

Art

very nice looking.

are you sure there are 2 switches to choose hot/cold? (red to blue, only one button is needed to adjust this)

I think there is a button for "vent open/ vent close" (allow outside air to come inside, or block it)

I just scanned my old panel on to the computer so it's what's on my car now. The second temp control is for the coldness of the A/C not for hot/cold. I don't have an open/close vent. On the 88, 89 MY I think they still used the old G style panel and that's what I have.

Art

Edited September 13, 2006 by Artie

[jimmybondi]

That's pretty cool! I like the modifications to your panel! The panel was done with a lazer engraver. My folks own an awards and trophy shop and we can lazer etch, engrave, and all sorts of stuff. We have catalogs of any type of plastic, metal, etc. I just thought I'd give it a go and see how it turned out. We have a vinyl/sticker cutter and can replicate any thing to make it into graphics, stickers, etc. I had the girl who does all of the engraving scan the old panel into the computer then had it reverse engraved onto the back of the aluminum look plastic which is only silver on one side and clear on the other so it would be able to be back lit when I put the lights on behind it! The plastic comes in black/clear, silver/clear, and I believe red/clear. I can check though!

Art

I just scanned my old panel on to the computer so it's what's on my car now. The second temp control is for the coldness of the A/C not for hot/cold. I don't have an open/close vent. On the 88, 89 MY I think they still used the old G style panel and that's what I have.

Art

Hi Artie,

we share the same graphics panel then. I have printed the scan on transparent adhesive foil and stuck it to some piece of lexan/acrylic - only drawback is that the panel will show some air bubbles after a while, due to the extreme temperature changes in the car. Maybe you have the possibilites to do it better, if I could send you the file...

[Artie]

Hi Artie,

we share the same graphics panel then. I have printed the scan on transparent adhesive foil and stuck it to some piece of lexan/acrylic - only drawback is that the panel will show some air bubbles after a while, due to the extreme temperature changes in the car. Maybe you have the possibilites to do it better, if I could send you the file...

Well, no chance of bubbling with this material, it's 2mm thick acrylic with the backing made of a layer of aluminum coloring and the engraver engraves into the silver to the acrylic so you can back light it! I could easily redo your panel email me the image at [email protected]

Artie

[bzguy]

Guys, I redid my A/C-Heater control panel in an aluminum look. I don't have enough global space here for a pic but I put it in my garage. Check it out and let me know your thoughts. I could produce these if any one else would want one. I was elated at how well it came out! I will shoot a couple pics tomorrow when I get my knobs dried and put it all together so you can see what it looks like assembled.

Artie

Hi Artie, damn good looking !

I'd like to redo my original one, as is hat cracked the lower right corner ...

So, if you want, you can send me the file ( [email protected] ) , I'd be more than glad !.. thanx in advance ! really superb job !

[Artie]

Hi Artie, damn good looking !

I'd like to redo my original one, as is hat cracked the lower right corner ...

So, if you want, you can send me the file ( [email protected] ) , I'd be more than glad !.. thanx in advance ! really superb job !

Okay, here is the panel installed, lights on and off for full effect. I went with red coloring on backlight to match the head unit I ordered for my stereo.

Artie

Edited September 14, 2006 by Artie

[esprithk]

wow...very nicely done! it matches the new nobs, too!

Edited September 14, 2006 by esprithk

[markt]

Mark - redid my graphic panel and made some 'modifications'

Nice one Jimmy

Art - Mighty impressed!!!

Any chance of a black panel with green backlight? Would want the the old Turbo Esprit Logo though, same as Jimmy's... Let us all know if you're prepared to do a short run of these and some idea of cost.

I'm sure lots of owners would be interested (especially the G-car guys 'cos the panels have been exposed to the sun for 20+ years...)

Think I saw something on Kato's site a while back - New panels being re-manufactured, can't remember cost or from where. Might be a nice chance for you to offer something custom and unique to each car???

Cheers - Mark

[jimmybondi]

Waded through the harddisk last night - no luck! I know I had a version on my office PC, but I have deleted that one last week

Have to go through the CD-Roms tonight - hope I can find it. I made a 'stock' panel and the modified one and would be happy to offer these here for exclusive use...

Artie, I would also be interested in the cost for manufacturing and shipping to Europe (just realized that you are in the new world) Maybe we could collect orders and dispatch in bulk to keep costs low...

[Artie]

Nice one Jimmy

Art - Mighty impressed!!!

Any chance of a black panel with green backlight? Would want the the old Turbo Esprit Logo though, same as Jimmy's... Let us all know if you're prepared to do a short run of these and some idea of cost.

I'm sure lots of owners would be interested (especially the G-car guys 'cos the panels have been exposed to the sun for 20+ years...)

Think I saw something on Kato's site a while back - New panels being re-manufactured, can't remember cost or from where. Might be a nice chance for you to offer something custom and unique to each car???

Cheers - Mark

Thanks,

I could have them done exactly as stock with any esprit logo we have access to. I could have them made and leave the backlighting clear then you could paint to suit, polycarbonate(Lexan ) paint for R/C cars have transparent colors, green, red, purple, blue etc(Tamiya) and the material is very easy to color. Could even be colored with permanent marker(sharpie colors).

The cost for manufacturing and materials is about $100 US(which if I remember someone offered them for $140 new zealand, I could bring the price down if I had more orders. I'm still checking on the copyright info to see if I can reproduce these without penalty. I don't really make any profit as I'm still learning the process and just thought this would be something you guys would be interested in as my car is also 17 years old and things are just a little "dated". I'll check today also on what colors we can get the material in and post about it later this evening.

Artie