Wondering if anybody out there has done the 1955 style/layout? Using the smaller gauge between the tach & speedo? What gauge (brand) did you use for the small 2 inch gauge? What did you use for a gas gauge? I don't think I have seen a gas gauge on a 1955 –. Maybe I'm going blind? L O L
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I've done this several times, in a few different ways.
Main gauges: I've used standard current VDO for the tach and speedo. I have also sourced pre-A donors and had them restored and converted to 12v.
Oil gauge: in all cases I hunted original Stork dual arm oil gauges and had them restored and converted to match current sending units. They were sourced via eBay and swap meets.
Indicator lights: these are readily available from places like Stoddard or Rose Passion. Pre-A dash indicator lights.
fuel gauge: the original didn't have one, they literally came with a beech wood stick and carrying case, and had a "reserve" valve like a motorcycle tank so you could, in theory, turn a handle when you ran out of gas and have a fgallon or so left to find a gas station. stick link here
I did one without a fuel gauge, and the others we did a separate fuel gauge (current VDO converted to look 356) I recall hiding one but don't recall where and how, and we did one to the right of the cluster, on the dash, like a clock would be located.
We currently use PA Speedo for gauge conversion, but back then we used NH Speedo (prior to ownership change). So I am uncertain of the availability of these conversions today. Looking back at my notes, the last time I did this was 2014...
@Ventura356. If you get to the point of actually doing a pre-A dash layout, I have a dimensioned drawing of the gauge/light layout and can send that to you. Several builders have used it around the World so far and have been happy with it. Let me know if you are interested.
Hey @Bob: IM S6 post a pic of your dash.
Well, I more or less laid out the gauges according to photos of an original '55 dash. Here's what my gauges looked like before, the normal large three gauges. Then the paper template layout. Currently filling in the arge 3 holes & hopefully by end of day will drill the new "55 holes. A little bit of bodywork primer and behind-the-scenes work between drilling the new holes and smoothing over the dash to get a brand new start. Lol
Did the necessary bodywork and filled in the holes with circles cut out of fiberglass sheet we made. Taped the fiberglass circles in place and filled in with a fiberglass body filler that is tough as nails. Then added a green tinted body filler to smooth everything out. Last stage was covering both the front side & backside of the gauges cluster area w/ 2 layers of carbon fiber to make sure that the old holes never trace through to the dash face! Last step will be a bit of sanding the carbon fiber & a skim coat of body filler... then primer. Drilling new holes hopefully by the end of the day!
@DannyP posted:Hey @Bob: IM S6 post a pic of your dash.
Okay. Here goes. Hope this helps. Gordon's template was very helpful to me, but Henry at Intermeccanica knew what to do to get a good copy of a 1955 Pre-A dash layout. I can explain what the various knobs and lights are if anyone is interested.
Thanks, Bob! You're a good man.
Awesome photos! Thank you so much! I drilled holes and laid out the gauges this afternoon. Very light coat of primer just to get a feel when it's going to look like.
Looks pretty cool to me! Nice job!!
@Gordon Nichols posted:Looks pretty cool to me! Nice job!!
Yeah!
Yep. That's nice. I love the simplicity of this layout.
I notice your oil temperature gauge is same as my current one. I've never longed for a fuel gauge. My warning light is set to start flashing (based on the fuel slushing in the tank) when I still have lots of fuel left.
Install the switches, and you're all set.
Push button starter?
Going to go for the ignition in the dash. Those holes not drilled yet. :-)
