dashboard confusion

[oliver <sumton@sbcglobal.net>]

my apologies.
   
  there is apparently some confusion; my question was about the metal piece 
that holds the gages, not the dash (or crash?) pad.
   
  what was it originally; what have people done?  i saw one car with the dash 
painted the same color as the car; another with a wonderful faux wood paint job.
   
  pics would be nice if anyone has them.