Original Speedster Gauge Set-Up

I was wondering what the factory built gauge configuration in the Speedster was?

I live near North Hollywood Speedometer and the other day I stopped in to discuss my ideas. I'm not a hidebound purist and I have a couple of ideas on instrumentation that I wanted to bounce off the techies. I told the

I ordered custom gauges from Palo Alto Speedometer for my new IM '56 Carrera Spoeedster replica. Yes, they are slightly smaller than the Brazilian repro gauges (same size as original 356) so IM had to make the dash holes smaller. The gauges are all German VDO based.

I got the 8,000 RPM tach, 160 mph speedo, and 904 combo gauge (oil temp, oil pressure, and fuel), and sweep second hand clock (standard in some Carreras) for about 1,100$. The warning lights for oil temp, alternator, high beam, turn indicator, etc., are all in the original configuration.

When Henry recieived and unpacked them he sent me an email that said they looked "spectacular".

I would stick with an original Porsche color scheme for resale purposes.
(Message Edited 7/7/2003 12:48:51 PM)

Bill

I would add the the standard VW Speedometer cable is not long engough to place the Speedometer in it's proper location to the right of the tach. Ask your builder if they can use a longer type II VW Speedometer cable.

Karl

At the Beck 550 Spyder web site he offers new Brazilian gauges for sale @ $375 for all three.

Karl, the type II speedo cable will work, but since it's longer you have to be careful to route it so that there aren't any sharp turns in the housing.

There is a true Speedster on ebay right now... go look at the gauge set up. Nice car, low miles. Appears true in original detail.

I have seen real 356A Speedsters and photos of other real 356A Speedsters with two different instrument layouts. They all have the three large gauges but in some cars the speedo is on the left and in some it's on the right; the only thing that seems constant is the tach in the middle.

My 356A was a very early 1956 transitional car; it was a 1600 Super with the plain bearing engine and new transaxle but still had the pre-A instrument layout (small center gauge and warning lights) and push-button starter. It also had the 16" wheels.

"Early 356 A's had the speedometer on the left, tachometer in the center and the cluster gauge on the right. At the T2 body change, the cluster has moved to the left and the speedometer to the right. This arrangement remained unaltered through the 356C model." From Dr. B. Johnson's "The 356 Porsche: A Restorer's Guide to Authenticity."
Since replica Speedsters are usually in the form of a 1957 model (rounded-edge door handles, shine-up license light, etc.), they are T2's which would properly put the speedo on the right.
(Message Edited 7/10/2003 12:30:11 AM)

Bill,
If you want to go with the original look, the gauge combination possibilities are:
- pre-A Speedster - 2 main guages (speedo left, rev right) and a smaller one in the center (I don't have Dr. Johnson's book with me, but I'm almost sure it's the oil temp); below this smaller one, you have 3 small lights, in vertical position, ie, separating the left and the right guage;
- T1 Speedster - these were made until mid '57; this model (the one that had round beehive taillights) had 3 guages with the same size - speedo on the left, rev on the center and oil temp / fuel guage on the right;
- T2 Speedster - with teardrop taillights; the speedo is on the right, as George said.
The combination guage (oil temp / fuel) on both T1 and T2 also had 2 lights: a green (bettery) and red one (oil pressure).
Best regards.
Miguel Caldeira Proenca
Lisboa - Portugal
m.caldeira.proenca@mail.telepac.pt

Sorry, wrong information: I think the green is oil pressure and the red is battery.
Best regards.
Miguel Caldeira Proenca