The most useful post I found was this: http://www.ubuntugeek.com/how-change-display-resolution-settings-using-xrandr.html
I ran the following commands:
- cvt 1680 1050 -- get a X modeline similar to "1680x1050_60.00" 146.25.... (more numbers)
- xrandr --newmode {output of the previous modeline}
- xrandr --addmode VBOX1 1680x1050_60.00 (causes the X display to flash)
- Use System > Preferences > Monitors to pick my new resolution
Voila. Easy, peasy. Works great now.