Autometer vs Smith Gages

DanEC · #1 (**permalink**) 05-16-2009, 05:43 AM

Hardly an original post but is it worth approximately $600 to go with the Smith gages or are the Autometer just as good in performance and appearance. I noticed that the Autometer have their name in small script on the gage face so I guess that is one strike against them for authenticity.

Thanks

Dan

convincor · #2 (**permalink**) 05-16-2009, 06:03 AM

If you can get Smith's for $600 I'd say go for it.
I pay $450 for the Autometer, but if I could have got the Smith's for $150 more I certainly would have..

DanEC · #3 (**permalink**) 05-16-2009, 06:37 AM

I think the Smiths are about $600 more than the Autometer - they weren't real clear on it in the brief discussion we had.

FUNFER2 · #4 (**permalink**) 05-16-2009, 06:53 AM

Dan- where did you find them for $600 ?
How many do you get ?
Reverse speedo ?

convincor · #5 (**permalink**) 05-16-2009, 06:57 AM

Nisonger is $769.65 right now. There offering a 7 piece set @33%off.
See post#10 here for another source- http://www.ffcobra.com/forums/showthread.php?t=217758

DanEC · #6 (**permalink**) 05-16-2009, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FUNFER2

Dan- where did you find them for $600 ?
How many do you get ?
Reverse speedo ?

This is the additional cost above standard Stewart Warner gages. I think (?) the Autometer are roughly an even swap for the Stewart Warner gages - not sure of that. Smiths are $600 above that. Never heard many good things about the reliability of the Smith gages although you gotta love their period appearance and originality.

Dan

Karl Bebout · #7 (**permalink**) 05-16-2009, 12:47 PM

Aren't Smith's closely related to "The Prince of Darkness", Lucas?

Maricopa · #8 (**permalink**) 05-16-2009, 03:33 PM

Yeah and the Auto Meters are Chinese. Six of one, etc....

Smiths sure do look better.

Lew Ledyard · #9 (**permalink**) 05-16-2009, 03:53 PM

Look at the face of the speedo and tach closely on the Smiths and the Autometers. There is a raised center circle stamped/embossed into the face of the Smiths. The Autometers tried to mimic this cheaply by having two "half-moons" painted in the center of the face to give the appearance from 10 ft away of the stamped/embossed raised center of the Smiths.

ng8264723 · #10 (**permalink**) 05-16-2009, 10:24 PM

Get the Kirkham guages they work!!!!!

FIA-ERA · #11 (**permalink**) 05-17-2009, 06:22 AM

Dan, I went with the Auto Meter gauges. True they do have the small script at the bottom but lets face it, is it worth the extra money? I have the complete set except I'm using the fuel pressure gauge instead of the clock (street dash 289). Be careful on which fuel level gauge you get as the OHMS are different. I bought mine off of ebay and the gauge was wrong. I called auto meter and shipped it back. They swapped it out for free! I have a buddy building a Lemans Replica and he has the Smiths gauges. They look great and all but at the end of the day, his car is as much a replica as mine. NOW, if I had an original there would be no decision, Smiths all the way. There might be 1 person out of 200 that would or could tell the difference! Unless, your ego and peace of mine needs them, I would just use the Auto Meter's! Good luck.

601HP · #12 (**permalink**) 05-17-2009, 08:16 AM

FWIW,
I've had Smith gauges in my car since 1994. I have had to replace each of them at least once.

The needles bounce which annoys me. I never quite know what rpm the engine is spinning. I don't know if I'm turning 5800 or 6300 rpm because of the 400-500 rpm swing of the needle during rapid acceleration.

The lighting intensity of each gauge is somewhat different. Some are OK, others a bit hard to read.

I bought and installed one Kirkham gauge several weeks ago. I like it. This past Friday night was the first time I had the headlights on, and noticed the illumination comparison of the Kirkham to the rest of the gauges. Very nice! I'll replace all the other Smith/Lucas guagues with the rest of the Kirkham gauges in a few weeks.

David

WarrenG · #13 (**permalink**) 05-17-2009, 06:11 PM

I had smiths gauges in my MGB years ago for about 6 years and never had any problem with them. Still have a complete MGB set mounted in a dashboard as a matter of fact.

Mdman352 · #14 (**permalink**) 05-17-2009, 06:47 PM

I have a complete set of Smith gauges from a Contemporary. Make me an offer.
David

mickmate · #15 (**permalink**) 05-17-2009, 08:29 PM

They are $995 for a 7 piece set from Cobra Restorers. I like the looks of them. Older more period correct ones have fine print at the bottom of the face with the guage number. If authenticity is important to you Smiths are the way to go.

elmariachi · #16 (**permalink**) 05-17-2009, 09:05 PM

Just as I was finishing my car last month I bought a set of Smith's from a wrecked Superformance. The oil and water temp senders had been cut after the wreck so I bought the set knowing I'd need to buy those new. I have installed the speedo and tach and they do look very cool. But I am not sure I am going to stay with them, based on what everyone has written about them. The backlighting sucks compared to the AMs, and who wants to be constantly forking over $100-150 to replace something that should be made well enough to last a few years. I'm definitely not impressed enough to sell the AM set yet.