Many of us have become disillusioned with screens in cars, and it’s little mystery why: they can be overwhelming, unsafe, and make simple tasks just plain annoying. They’ve also replaced the intricate artistry of a particularly well-designed physical instrument cluster. Half a century ago, however, traditional gauges melded with emerging technology in a very satisfying way—though it didn’t last.
Fans of classic Mopar machinery might know a thing or two about “Panelescent” gauges. Through the 1960s, some Chrysler models, like the Windsor, Saratoga, New Yorker, and Newport, as well as the Dodge Charger later on, incorporated a lighting technology you’d probably know better from that old Timex you had on your wrist in the ’90s.
These ornate, jewel-like instrument clusters featured backlit readouts, only, that backligh …
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Author: Adam Ismail
