PURPOSE: To provide an automotive instrument 3-D virtual image display system packaged to fit within an existing dashboard space and providing a multi-color image which is easy to understand and aesthetic to provide an image of high contrast and quality.

CONSTITUTION: This system includes a first image source 54 which provides a first image display, an optical element 58 such as a narrow-band reflecting mirror disposed behind the first image source to create a first color virtual image 50 of the first image display at a first spatial position visible from an operator's position, and a second image source 120 which provides a second image display outside the bandwidth of reflection of the narrow-band optical element 58. The narrow-band optical element 58 may have different bandwidths to form virtual images of differing colors of portions of the image displays without using the second image source 120.