Michael.....Yup it does look like the tunnel was flattened huh. It wouldn't take a lot to do that if it was when the pan is being shortened.
Jim...Yeah it does look more like the top photo of yours. Almost Orange at times but very striking and very "leather looking" ! I forgot you had that color in your car. I love black cars but I'm too lazy to own one Ha ha !
Danny.....Ya know, after looking at a lot of Spyders, I haven't seen a lot of them with a panel behind these gauges. To me, and probably you, it always looks like one is missing. That there should be one there. It's seems such a natural place to have one. It certainly dresses up the instruments more and those instruments clustered together like they are is something that has always attracted me to a Speedster and a Spyder. I guess beauty really is in the eye of the beholder ! I like your idea of hammertoe finish as well........Bruce