Looking over new part costings for the instruments used in the original Quickie, it seems to me that there's a case for the design of a modern Glass Cockpit. Such things are around and cheap enough, it's just a matter of choosing one that fits the panel space and isn't too complex to use. Here is the standard issue list with AS&S prices as at 2009:
Airspeed $181.95
Altimeter $149.95
Ammeter $28.95
Cyl Temp $53.95
Oil Temp $30.25
Oil Press $59.75
Tacho $97.19
Voltmeter $23.65
[Slip Indicator $78.65 (optional, not included)]
Budget $625.64
The Compass at $127.95 should be a standard device for safety. In an emergency you can pretty much do without anything else. In addition a handheld GPS at about $50 or so would give absolute location, speed and altitude.
As a bonus, adding an attitude indicator, VSI or EGT to the new panel would be at very little extra cost compared to normal gauges. The cost of shipping — and carrying — all this extra weight could also be avoided. And as if we needed any more reason, a Star Wars inspired X-Plane like the Quickie should have modern looking instruments, not steam gauges.
Here's an example, the
Stratomaster
. I'm sure there are more aesthetic products around, but the price is right.