What is the orange line on KPH Speedos?

[LHG]

I have seen this orange line on a few KPH speedos but not on any MPH ones.

I have pondered what it's for and can't come up with anything, what am I missing?

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Brian O'Kelly
Central Coast Chapter, CA - Vintage Volkswagen Club of America
www.centralcoastvwclub.com
www.facebook.com/groups/vintagevwclub/

[Corwin]

Not sure but there are no shift markings on it either.

[59 dormi]

50 km/h in town or built up area speed limit my golf had that too same as some other cars
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1959 Dormobile

Mini R53 bob the tomato
Range Rover L322

[crofty]

[LHG]

OK, sounds like we have a consensus and Krusher gave me confirmation also.

Now what year did it start
_________________
Brian O'Kelly
Central Coast Chapter, CA - Vintage Volkswagen Club of America
www.centralcoastvwclub.com
www.facebook.com/groups/vintagevwclub/

[59 dormi]

53?
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1959 Dormobile

Mini R53 bob the tomato
Range Rover L322

[HerrrKafer]

I think later than that. I've seen post-53 (fat arrow) KPH speedos without the line, though admittedly most of the fat arrow KPH speedos do have it, so I would venture to guess it started no earlier than late-54 / 55 .

It would be interesting to research the history of European speed limits, because the other possibility is that the red line was there in some markets but not others. I know from driving around in Germany, Austria, Italy and Slovenia, that the current built-up area limits in those countries is almost always 50kph.

Also interesting is the fact that Progressive Refinements is vague and really useless in documenting some speedo changes. There is an almost random selection of speedos from the 60's without gear change markings, and the few vague mentions in PR run contradictory to evidence in some very original cars. One of those little details that may never be fully understood.
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Evan H.

[59 dormi]

possibly but I'm beginning to think that no two cars from the same year are alike
_________________
1959 Dormobile

Mini R53 bob the tomato
Range Rover L322

[john7]

i have one kph speedo dated 54 and one dated 56 and neither have the orange /red line
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Jesus Saves

Slot Mag King!
I accept Paypal, CASH, GOLD, SILVER, COINS, GUNS & money orders.

[hkoch]

I have about two dozen earlyKM speedos right now and none of them have that orange line. New to me.

[HerrrKafer]

Okay, I just looked through 800 pictures of speedos and here is what I've noticed on the kph ones:

• not a single clear needle speedo has the red/orange line
• every single solid needle speedo has the line.

Except one. And that is a Brazilian market '66 Beetle. So my guess is the line started with the solid needle speedos (1 Aug 1960 iirc), and only for European market.

Here is the Brazilian '66 speedo (blue numbers, 120kph, WTF ):

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Evan H.

[denizen224]

[HerrrKafer]

[HMBR]

yes, in brazil the 120kph speedo was used until 1967, until 1967 all brazilian beetles had 1200 engine, in 1967 vw do brasil "upgraded" to the 1300 engine and 140kph speedo

[65ghia]

never say never.

140 SWF Km speedo

dated 7.59 part# 111 957 023

My buddy bought in Philippines.

[/img]

[HerrrKafer]

^ Another very interesting speedo. Looks like the red line is on (most) 140 faces, but still hasn't been seen on a 120 face. Always thought the face changed at the same time as the needle.

In none of my posts have I ruled out anything's existence ... I've only presented my observations, either from the gallery or cars I've seen.
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Evan H.

[DanKGMadrid]

I could be wrong here (I'm a bit of a novice) but I thought maybe they put the red line on the Speedo to make them compatible for an Autoshift. The red line is when to change from 2nd to 3rd. Just a guess though.