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I own a 1966 M20 E and when I bought the plane five years ago it came IFR certified with pretty much the original panel. Since then, I have added an EI MVP-50 to it, removing most of the original engine gauges and such along with the DME and ADF. The later two removals were in anticipation of a WAAS GPS system, but that has yet to materialize. The original panel included the ADF, but ADF is fast disappearing from US approaches. As such, I am left with dual VORs, one of which has GS. The original panel came equipped with a marker beacon receiver and an audio panel for switching two radios and the ADF. Since the pilots yoke is equipped with a second-hand precision (Wakmann/Brietling) clock, I will argue that this aircraft was built and sold for IFR flying. Additionally, pitot heat, which some master CFII's will contend is the most important piece of IFR equipment, was included as well as a huge vacuum gauge right in the center of the panel. The PO added a backup vacuum system that runs off the intake manifold. What puzzles me is why there is so much fuss over the "six-pack" panel. If a guy bought this plane back in '66 and flew it for years IFR with the panel layout as it was, why would redoing the panel now make any difference? Here is what I have: The "scan" is very important to the IFR pilot. With this panel, you scan the ASI, AI and DG across the top. Then the TC, Altimeter and VSI along the bottom. You can't miss the vacuum gauge and the VOR/GS is only looked at enroute and during an approach. So, what's the problem with this?