Instrument cluster

Can't help ya with the instruments, but how do you like that Banjo?

Does it feel sturdy? 

Who did you pick it up from?

I was thinking about getting one but hear they are a bit flimsy

I grabbed this from North Hollywood's site:

Not all (even VDO) gauges are the same diameter.  Are you willing to fill in old holes to make them smaller or cut them larger?  The original 356 and early 912/911 gauges had chrome bezel with black/green faces.  3 gauges were used.  Original ones are costly and most probably need refurbishing.  If getting used - a 6 cyl 911 tach will have to be modified and early 356 tachs are cable driven (not electronic).  There are reproduction VDO gauges - quality varies on Tach and even the speedometers.  Used to be able to get ok Brazilian ones but now all seem to be a lesser quality Chinese knock-off. Note - you can change the black bezels on VDO gauges to chrome plus the glass or plastic lenses can be polished or replaced.

Wolfgang - '13

thanks for lodging the gauge photo. I saved it and will take it to my VDO dealer Howard Instruments in Heidelberg Victoria.

this cluster really looks the part. Perhaps they can upgrade mine with new face plates etc...

thanks again. I will get on their web site now.

Ron O

thanks also for posting.  the two clusters above are very similiar.

its good to have the options. I will see what my VDO guy comes up with.

thanks

Indetrucks

Re the banjo wheel, it was supplied by Vintage. They offer it in black or white - think you call it Bakerlite or plastic rim.

Yes, it was flimsy when I fitted it and it flexed in and out. I noticed the small spacer bar pieces that space the rods were loose and moving up and down the rods towards the wheel rim.

I tapped then down the rods towards the horn bezel and the spacer bar tightened the rods together. This firmed the wheel up 100%. I just used a screwdriver and sat it on top of the rods and tapped the screwdriver down with a small rubber hammer. They moved down about 1".

I hope this makes sense .........?

If you like email me and I will send some photos indicating the rod and what I did to tighten it up.   kni-time@bigpond.net.au

I think it was a neat addition and certainly looks the part. The previous wheel was a basic black leather with alloy drilled metal centre...

All these small changes make the car look a little better and period correct. That's why I am being fussy changing the gauges.

I am just looking at it now..... ...I think I will have new leather boots made for the gear shift and hand brake as the rubber screams VW - but that's just me being fussy...

i also snagged to get all the badges and scripts for the guards and the dash and they have made a real difference. I added a 356 Porsche badge I obtained in Germany from the 356 registry so it is starting to look the part.  Mmmm again me being a bit fussy...

yes, send me an email re the banjo wheel if you want. I will send a coupe of photos.

Bernie

I think this is the historically appropriate dash gauge layout for Speedsters that had beehive tail lights:

There was no combo gauge.  I think they used a wooden dipstick to see if the tank was full!

Yes, that gauge layout is for the Pre-A Speedster, the early one with the beehive tail lights. 

Note the difference in the gauges in this one:

http://www.fantasyjunction.com...%20c.c.%204-Cylinder

@Inde, My car came with the black banjo and for me it felt a little thin and was big (round) I'm 6'3" and had zero leg room with that wheel, so I had VS switch it out for the wooden one which I like much more. 

what dia was the banjo &what is the wooden wheel dia? Im thinken on a 14" since I have a week arm&cant do the small wheels real well any more,Ive thought about power stearing too& might go that way

Mark, the wood wheel is about 14-1/4 and if I remember correctly the banjo was close to 15-1/2...

My banjo wheel is 15 1/2" also.

And is easy to use. That 1" makes a difference..

it is now quite firm after I knocked the spacers down closer to the centre of the wheel - down to the horn bezel.

This bottom wheel is the one I currently have, just like the look of the banjo.

Thanks for the tips on tightening it up. When/up I get one, that will come in handy.

I'm planning on ordering the banjo wheel (white) with my VS. They tell me the Porsche center hub is no longer available. Does anyone know where to get one?

Re the rubber shifter boot; for what it's worth, the $3 VW unit is identical to the 356A Porsche part. That's why I switched mine to the rubber one. Looks good too.

Impala,

thanks yes I did see many of the Speedsters had the rubber boot.

but I think I will re upholster my seats as they have not weathered well and will use the same material to make boots with the leather lace tie on the top. I know it is not correct but the boot does not fit over the shift as one of those quick change plates has been added - the diamond shaped bracket.

the tractor style VDO gauges are the one thing that stands out as cheap reproduction. So I am keen to get the right gauges if possible.

thanks again for the feedback...

My gauge setup is a bit of an oddball-914 gauges converted to 356 style.  Notice that the tach is larger.  I only reason I went that route is I had a set of old 914 gauges.

Ron O

yes they certainly look great. This is the look I am after. I currently have very basic black bezel and black faced VDO gauges. They are used on tractors etc...

i will get these style of gauges as they look the part.

I swear......I have GOT to get my steering wheel autographed.  My wheel looks just like Ron's Nardi (although my rim is Brazilian Rosewood) but I think having "Nardi" on there would be Blasé.  Thought of forging "Frank Zappa" but am holding out for something better.  Something like "Bernard Hinault" or "Fausto Campagnolo".........or maybe just "Fiorelli"   Wonder how long it would take people to discover what the heck was going on?

Ron O, I forgot who did you gauge modification.

Can you refresh our memories as to who, cost and turn-around time?

Also, my 914 gauges are installed with the ribbed rubber piece around the outside. They seem to be jammed in there pretty tight. Should I try to push the gauge and rubber out together or push the gauge out of the rubber? Is there any kind of lubricant that would help?

Thanks.

Gordon Nicholls

come on Hinault, Campagnolo -  where is your US loyalty..

Armstrong..

Hi Michael! I'm using 914 gauges in my car.  You should be able to reach in under the dash and push them out with one hand while supporting the outside of the dash with you other hand as well as holding onto the guage as it's coming out.  When reinstalling just push rubber gasket back onto the gauges and install with no lubrication as you dont want them turning at all when you are driving. The gaskets have a series of ribs on them so they lock into the dash when you reinstall.

Michael, as Jesse mentioned the gauges do come out with the rubber ribs in place.  It takes a bit of wriggling back and forth to get them out-take your time. 

I had my old 914 gauges refurbished at North Hollywood.  I think the price was around $900.

Never one to leave things alone, I recently sent them back to have the speedo face changed to kilometres, my speedo recalibrated for my tire size,  my tach recalibrated, and LED lighting installed (stock 914 lighting isn't very bright)

Thanks all,

I took the photos to Howard Instruments in Heidelberg Victoria.

i just received an email to say they can re do the faces of my gauges and the bezels. They recognized early Porsche etc gauges straight off and said no problem.

thanks again for photos and feedback

Bernie

Ron, for the speedo calibration do they need to know anything other than the tire size?

I find it interesting that the 914 speedo works as well as it does for us when it was hooked to the transmission on the 914, not the front wheel.

Yes, I gave them my wheel/tire diameter.  I won't know if they've corrected my speedo error until I get the car on the road later this Spring.