Vintage speed instruments/gauges

[Casperfg]

Hi there,
Greetings from Boerne Texas.
I've got a 57' beetle that will be receiving an okrasa transplant.
I'm interested in what gauges you folks find useful in your vintage speed rides? I'd like to use vintage or vintage inspired stuff and not cut the dash if possible? Thoughts, suggestions much appreciated.
Dean

[Bub]

Proper gauges are pretty rare these days. IF you can find a 5k tacho that's the ticket,.

if not, a 6k tach is a decent add on, but don't run one that goes over 6k...ain't foolin nobody!. And they don't look right.
Add an oil temp +/- pressure gauge off the steering column, or under the dash. It's one of those things you want to do, but not 'over-do"

Go through the 'gauges' thread ....there's lots of good stuff in there.


https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewforum.php?f=26
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[Casperfg]

Thank you Bud, that is exactly the info I need!
Dean

[gatorwyatt]

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=2723082

Knowing where the oil sits at most driving conditions is really helpful.
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www.blastserv.com

wanted:
Nothing!

[Casperfg]

Looks like a simple straightforward feedback gauge, could the signal make it to the dash area?

[gatorwyatt]

One single wire…
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www.blastserv.com

wanted:
Nothing!

[henry roberts]

I like the look of the VDO accessory striped gauges.

This is a 1956 catalogue as uploaded by IN2VWS

Note the VDO ring style gauge mounts used in the very top pic of gauges mounted under the dash.

Personally I have oil pressure, oil temperature, a tachometer and a fuel gauge set up ready for an early big window (bar the correct fuel and tach senders)

For a single gauge, Motometer made a single mount that mounts to the steering column, reproductions available.

Pic again from the gallery with a modern tach rebuilt to look like the period "striped" gauges.

As said by a previous poster, check the "gauges" sticky in the accessories forum for many many other period gauge options.

Be warned though, period gauges are a whole offshoot rabbit hole of thier own, they come in a huge variety with many variations, are so so pretty, very very more-ish and are small, so are easy to store but can get quite expensive very quickly. Have fun.

[jbannon]

Something to consider if you don’t want to drill holes in the dash and desire a clean and elegant look/solution, is Fast Fab’s gauge panel for 52mm gauges. It’s very well made, and can be easily painted to match your car. I installed one in my 58 ragtop vintage speed build and it looks amazing in my opinion. If done correctly, it looks almost like a factory or period correct accessory.

https://www.fastfabonline.com/Gauge-Panel-two-Gauge--Ghia-56-65-Beetle-50-57_p_130.html
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59 Beetle - Diamond Grey
58 Beetle ragtop - Glacier Blue
58 Beetle ragtop - Black
56 Beetle - Stratos Silver
62 Beetle - Turkis
67 Beetle - Savannah Beige

[jbannon]

I was wondering if anyone had wiring diagrams for the VDO oil temp and oil pressure gauges? Here are photos of the gauges:

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59 Beetle - Diamond Grey
58 Beetle ragtop - Glacier Blue
58 Beetle ragtop - Black
56 Beetle - Stratos Silver
62 Beetle - Turkis
67 Beetle - Savannah Beige

[petrol punk]

I have oil temp and pressure. Pressure is not that useful, I've never really needed it but I keep it there since I have 2 gauge holes. I'd rather swap it out for a tach.
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36hp '56 European DeLuxe oval
'70 bug 1835cc

[jbannon]

Thanks for the reply. I actually have a tach as well. I have these gauges and want to use them in my vintage speed build. Any wiring diagrams are welcome.
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59 Beetle - Diamond Grey
58 Beetle ragtop - Glacier Blue
58 Beetle ragtop - Black
56 Beetle - Stratos Silver
62 Beetle - Turkis
67 Beetle - Savannah Beige

[EverettB]

+ = Power
G = Wire to sender
- or little symbol that looks like a downward arrow with 3 bars = Ground

The ground looks to be the connection in the bottom center as you face the back of the gauge but the gauge may also ground via the mounting bracket, if I am mistaken about the markings on that post.

Ground symbol:

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