Choosing custom instruments for your gauge cluster is one of the most exciting parts of finishing off a project. For some it can also pose a long bump in the road equivalent to choosing between the countless combinations of drapes and window treatments or back splashes, tiles, and counter tops that home improvement enthusiasts face.

Our friends at Classic Instruments have a section on their homepage dedicated to fine tuning a prospective buyer’s gauge design by outlining their available styles. By familiarizing yourself with the different styles of pointers, bezels, and lenses you’ll be one step closer to solving your design overload dilemma. Check it out!

Starting with pointer styles, Classic Instruments offers a few variations: the pool cue, the crescent moon, the tear drop, the V8 Speedster and the ability to create some one-off pointers as well. The crescent moon and tear drop pointer styles are a real throwback and those are probably our favorite between the choices. The V8 Speedster is real slick as well.

Bezel choice is a design element that may take a bit more forethought than choosing your pointer. You have to consider brightwork that not only compliments the dash and interior, but the trim of your car as well. Familiarizing yourself with bezel variations and the color options is the first step to putting those final details on your car that tie everything together.

The following bezel styles and color options available at Classic Instruments are as follows: polished stainless radial bezel, polished stainless low step, polished stainless high step, black chrome radial bezel, black matte low step, and gold low step.

It’s easy to stay conservative and keep all trim and brightwork one finish but consider the striking beauty of a gold and chrome combination or the modern sleekness that black chrome in concert with classic chrome might offer.

Capping the design of the gauge off is the lens, for those looking for a more antique feel Classic Instruments offers a curved lens. For crisp clarity, flat lenses are ready for installation as well. We’d like to read about your ideal gauge design below in the comments section. What combination would you choose and why?