Ok, I have finished ordering parts. The full load-out is as follows:
mobo:
Phylon 7F2WE-1G2 with
PCMCIA / CF module (1.2 GHz Fanless Via C7 series)
RAM:
1G Corsair
Video:
GeForce FX 5500 (Cheapest new nvidia-based card I could find and be comfortable with - not for games)
Audio: Built-in (still looking for external amp)
Display:
Xenarc 700IDT
GPS:
12 Channel ET-202 SiRF II Receiver with MMCX Connector + FME->MMCX adapter +
low profile rooftop powered antenna. This setup requires custom work, as the GPS is for embedded devices (only thing I could find that took an external antenna). I plan to connect via RS-232
Chassis:
OPUS Mini-ITX Vehicle PC Case w/ built in 120w power supply
Shutdown Controller:
CarPC Pro v2.5d
Hard Drive:
SanDisk 8G CF
802.11:
Netgear WG311 + low profile roofmount antenna (see GPS above)
USB:
USB Cigarette Lighter Replacement
Also under consideration:
DS80C400 (Dallas Semiconductor) or similar Intel 8051-based microcontroller with built-in ethernet and TCP/IP stack (for sensor monitoring and other MC-related tasks, intend to connect via ethernet to Car PC) (I am also willing to consider similar PIC-based solutions), some sort of amplifier capable of taking surround mini-jack inputs, USB AM/FM tuner, and whatever else I can think of to keep me incredibly busy for the next few years.