Instrument panel and method of gauge assembly therefor

An instrument panel comprising:

• a graphic layer having a front surface defining scale indicia, a rear surface and an aperture extending therethrough in proximity to the scale indicia;
• a light distribution layer adjacent the rear surface of the graphic layer for illuminating the scale indicia, said light distribution layer having an aperture aligned with the graphic layer aperture;
• a graphic layer light source cooperating with the light distribution layer;
• a gauge motor mounted rearward of the light distribution layer, said gauge motor having a rotary output shaft located locally normal to the graphic layer and extending through the aperture therein;
• a gauge pointer oriented adjacent the scale indicia on the graphic layer front surface, said gauge pointer affixed to and rotated by the gauge motor output shaft to provide analog information to a viewer of the gauge;
• a telltale light located behind the graphic layer and transmitting light through the graphic layer to provide a telltale signal to the viewer independently of the graphic layer light source and without affecting the illumination of the other indicia on the graphic layer, and
• a circuit board spaced rearwardly of the light distribution layer and supporting the gauge motor and the telltale light thereon.