The dash from James Hetfield’s 1948 Jaguar. All photos from www.classicinstruments.com

The folks at Classic Instruments have always been proud of the accuracy of their gauges, often comparing themselves to fine watches. Granted, Classic Instruments has set a high benchmark in quality by ensuring their gauges and components are built in the U.S. and not just assembled here with foreign subassemblies. Refusing to settle for cost-cutting and quality-lowering tactics like substituting plastics and Lexan lenses instead of glass in the gauges, Classic Instruments have always opted for the quality over budget – an important factor when selecting gauges for expensive hot rod builds.

Despite these choices in quality components and manufacturing, most fans of rare hot rods and custom car builds tend to judge things differently. If you watch enthusiasts at a car show, they tend to admire a car from the outside … slowly walking around the car. The very next thing these enthusiasts do is stick their heads in the window or open door to look at the instruments. At that point, the gauges and dashboard can make or break the interior looks.

We agree with the sentiments of Classic Instruments’ marketing department, “Since you, and everyone else, will be watching your dashboard, select instruments that will compliment the style and color of your car’s interior and exterior. Don’t let bargain gauges compromise your efforts.”

Enjoy these stylish examples of top quality gauges in project builds that Classic Instruments has found at the different car shows recently: