This small Custom Component took quite awhile to engineer & fabricate. Since the Tilt Telescopic Steering Column was constructed by morphing 2 different systems together, we had to fabricate a PRND21 Indicator Needle that would work with the Custom setup. Spring Steel was used to match the thickness and rigidity of the original style Needle. We had to bend and configure the shape of the Wire so it would work with the new Column setup. A Holiday Wreath was used as a donor for the Spring Wire. We used a softer banding Wire to “Mock up” the shape before doing a final bend for the New Custom Needle.

The Wire was painted black to camouflage it against the black Steering Column. The Needle Tip was painted the correct red/orange color to match the Factory versions. The “hook” end of the Needle was left bare metal to match the attaching stud that it was fastened to. Here are a few progression photos showing the results.

I’ve had a few questions pertaining to the Tilt Telescopic Steering Column and the Carpet that has been shown in some past photos. The Column is a converted C Body unit that came out of a 1970 Imperial. We use a stock 1970 Barracuda Column along with the Imperial unit and merged them into one unit. The Column no longer represents any Assembly Line version ever created by Chrysler. It is now its own morphed version, fabricated for this “One of a Kind” Concept Tribute. The Steering Wheel is a stock E Body Wood Wheel. The attaching base was converted to to allow the mounting of the E Body Wheel. Below is a short series of progression photos showing the the mock up to the final set up.

The Carpet that is shown in the picture is NOT the Carpet that will be used for this project. I had 5 separate sets of custom Carpet manufactured for this project. I picked the best appearing and fitting set for this vehicle. The pieces that are currently in the car is one of the leftover sets that will not be used. It is only there to provide some cushioning against the metal floor, while we’re working inside of the vehicle.

Here are 6 photos showing a feature that was never optional on a Factory 1970 E Body vehicle. Besides this being a “FIRST” in the area of an “Assembly Line” style 4 Door Barracuda, the Steering Column setup is also a One of a Kind configuration. The first 3 images show the Steering Wheel in a Non-Telescopic straight position, followed by it being tilted up and then down. The last 3 pictures show the setup in a Telescopic straight position, followed by it being tilted up and down in its extended position. There are also many other positions that fall in between the adjustment limitations. This setup makes it very easy to slide into the Driver’s Seat without the Steering Wheel being in the way. It looks 100% Factory correct and probably would have been a great option addition to the regular 2 Door E Body vehicles.

Here are a few images of the Dash Assembly in place. We dodged a bullet with the calculations on this one. When everything was initially mocked up, the Dash Assembly had about a 3/8″ gap on each side due of the re-fabrication of the lower A Pillar area. Once all of the permanent pieces were in place (A Pillar Vinyl covering, New Dash Pad, Wind-lace material, etc…..) the opening was no longer there and the the pieces fit very tightly into place. They ended up fitting better than anticipated and have the same appearance as Factory engineered components. Sometimes it helps to be lucky and this was one of those “lucky” moments.