Over the weekend saw a 1950's Mercedes - beautiful machine.
But, was (most) blown away by the beautiful dials - each one looked like a fine timepiece. The simple large numbers reminded me of a Bhur or vintage pilots watch.
I know it's not proper for my 356, but just so in love with them. Is there any prob mod-ing them into my kit car?
Anyone know a supplier for these?
Thanks.
Replies sorted oldest to newest
Actually, these are the gauges I like - http://www.nhspeedometer.com/mercedes-benz
Would there be any issues (mechanically / not aesthetically) in using these?
You might start by asking NHS if they have ever seen the application you are suggesting. They are pretty straight shooters from what I have heard.
You could go with 914 gauges with new silkscreened faces and chrome bezels. They are designed for 4 cyl air cooled engines. senders are available, and the speedo is accurate with the left wheel front hub drive cable. The gauge faces are readily available ready to install ($30). The chrome bezels are avail but not inexpensive ($125?).
With the MB gauges - you'd need a tach from a 4 cylinder (I doubt they have selectable switch on back for # cylinders like new replica gauges - a 6 or 8 cyl won't read correctly). I assume the MB tach is electronic and not mechanical cable driven like early 356. The speedo would probably require regearing. Did MB measure oil temp?
Before- (not mine)
After - (white faces but others avail)
WOLFGANG posted:You could go with 914 gauges with new silkscreened faces and chrome bezels. They are designed for 4 cyl air cooled engines. senders are available, and the speedo is accurate with the left wheel front hub drive cable. The gauge faces are readily available ready to install ($30). The chrome bezels are avail but not inexpensive ($125?).
With the MB gauges - you'd need a tach from a 4 cylinder (I doubt they have selectable switch on back for # cylinders like new replica gauges - a 6 or 8 cyl won't read correctly). I assume the MB tach is electronic and not mechanical cable driven like early 356. The speedo would probably require regearing. Did MB measure oil temp?
Before- (not mine)
After - (white faces but others avail)
Great response - thanks so much. Yup, I contacted NHS and waiting on a response. The 914 dials are a brilliant idea.
The Mercedes gauges are VDO, pretty much like what you already have in your car, no?
edsnova posted:
The Mercedes gauges are VDO, pretty much like what you already have in your car, no?
Thanks for the links from the other posters.
I'm a bit of a watch guy, and a designer - so i'm picky about my fonts. I've seen all those gauges, but took a look again - the Mercedes STILL do it for me - bit of love affair going on. Like I said, they remind me of the vintage pilot watches.
What I have now, are beat to hell, and obviously pretty cheap replicas.
Pretty subtle differences, I think, between the Mercedes gauges and the Porsche.
At any rate, I bet Palo Alto Speedometer or one of the other rebuilders could screen your gauges exactly as you wish—or screen a set of 914 gauges that way and send them to you.
Looks like the Mercedes gauges are a no go. ;(
Got a response from Palo Alto:
"I will not be able to re-screen the gauges that you currently have. The Mercedes faces can only be installed on to Mercedes gauges.
The best gauges to use are the 914 gauges. The cost for a replica 356 gauge set is $2,200.00 + shipping. The lead time to build a set is 8 weeks"
When I compare that against these - for 1k :
http://vintagespyders.com/product/replica-gauges/
Well..
Uh, you do know about the new VDO replica gauges made by VDO, right?
Beck is now showing them on their web page for $589 the set, without senders.
Sacto Mitch posted:
Uh, you do know about the new VDO replica gauges made by VDO, right?
Beck is now showing them on their web page for $589 the set, without senders.
Wow - nope, i missed that. Looking on their site - do you have a link? Would love to get these today.
What Mitch says X2. Look very classic / european
Contact Carey Hines about compatibility with your oil temp and fuel senders. The speedo is GPS and requires a GPS sender (I think), but you can mount it on the right (original 356 position) without worrying about finding a long speedo cable.
These are the diameter of the original 356 gauges, not the larger Chinese replica gauges that most VS, JPS (and older Becks?) have. But if your dash is drilled for the larger gauges, there are still solutions that will make these work.
Sacto Mitch posted:
Contact Carey Hines about compatibility with your oil temp and fuel senders. The speedo is GPS and requires a GPS sender (I think), but you can mount it on the right (original 356 position) without worrying about finding a long speedo cable.
These are the diameter of the original 356 gauges, not the larger Chinese replica gauges that most VS, JPS (and older Becks?) have. But if your dash is drilled for the larger gauges, there are still solutions that will make these work.
Great, thanks!
I think I have the larger Chinese stuff - will check.
I do a lot of my driving at night, just saw the red LED kits.. Look very cool.
Also saw this Singer - love the mix of red / black. Anyone know anything about these dials? looks like for 911 - could adapt for 356 kit?
Also it looks like Sierra Madre now selling complete gauge kits for $1k
(Buy VDO Cluster Gauge (Oil Temperature and Fuel Level) and VDO Speedometer (MPH),VDO Gauge Sending Unit Kit (Oil Temp, Fuel Level And GPS Speedo),VDO Tachometer (0 to 8000 RPM). )
BlackRice posted:WOLFGANG posted:You could go with 914 gauges with new silkscreened faces and chrome bezels. They are designed for 4 cyl air cooled engines. senders are available, and the speedo is accurate with the left wheel front hub drive cable. The gauge faces are readily available ready to install ($30). The chrome bezels are avail but not inexpensive ($125?).
With the MB gauges - you'd need a tach from a 4 cylinder (I doubt they have selectable switch on back for # cylinders like new replica gauges - a 6 or 8 cyl won't read correctly). I assume the MB tach is electronic and not mechanical cable driven like early 356. The speedo would probably require regearing. Did MB measure oil temp?
Before- (not mine)
After - (white faces but others avail)
Great response - thanks so much. Yup, I contacted NHS and waiting on a response. The 914 dials are a brilliant idea.
I run the Black face 914 gauges in my CMC and they look great. Since my car is black it is a good tie-in to the overall look of the car.
