VDO Smiths Gauges

[Tenrocca]

Following some robust discussion on the Absolute Pace Facebook page regarding gauges, I was inspired to look into giving mine a refresh.

When I originally started the build of my car, I was gifted a period correct Smith Temperature gauge. I was able to source most of the other minor gauges, but could not find a Tach and Speedo. Smiths at the time were difficult or impossible to get, so I got the Howards refaced version of the VDO. They never looked quite right and the paint is now flaking off the needles, so time for a refresh.

This is how they looked:



Puling apart is not too difficult. You need to gently pry up the bezel from the back as it is crimped on. It was not crimped down too tightly so come off reasonably easily:




Here is the old face, printed on to 0.5mm styrene sheet. The resolution of the printing was not great:



I scanned the face as a starting point for the artwork - drew up in ACAD and imported into illustrator which is what the laser cutter talks to. Did a first run today with just some good quality black cardboard. Looks much better than the old one already. Put the Terlingua bunny on there for something different - not sure Ill go with her for the final version:



For the final version Ill use this stuff - https://www.engraving-supplies.com.a...s/trolase.html

It is an acrylic laminate - solid white with a matt black thin layer on top. The laser cutter eats off the top layer in order to show the white beneath for the graphics and text etc.

A fun project I thought I would share.

[leroy17]

Nice one. It's these little details that when looking over something, you don't notice at first, but then the details reveal themselves.

Really cool,and I look forward to end result.

[Gav]

I think I prefer the standard VDO gauges.

[stephen low]

Mr T

Careful I might order a second set off you matey.

I did get a full Howard "Smiths" repro set but with the first test switch to lights on, saw that an amateur had painted the black backing and it ranged from black to almost an opaque background - very disappointing.

This led to return of the gauges to then get them back sans the "Smiths" logo. This because Howards were under that legal radar at the time, and no recompense to me for having lost this gauge detail I'd particularly paid for.

And then rushing the gauge set reinstall and the subsequent test drive leading to my infamous prang - some ten years ago!

So quite some water under the bridge but I'd be keen to revisit the "Smiths" logo detail and my gauges are a bit foggy so need dehumidifying at the least.

I'd be a bit nervous about prizing my gauges apart though!

Cheers

[Rog246]

I really like the SpeedHut Cobra gauge set, looks really neat & just great service and reasonably priced.

About Our Cobra Gauges

Hope this helps someone

[Tenrocca]

Originally Posted by Gav

I think I prefer the standard VDO gauges.

Lol. You 5hit stirrer. I'm not touching that one.

[Tenrocca]

Originally Posted by Rog246

I really like the SpeedHut Cobra gauge set, looks really neat & just great service and reasonably priced.

About Our Cobra Gauges

Hope this helps someone

They are a very nice gauge the speedhut with lots of positive reviews. If I was starting from scratch I'd go genuine smith's but speedhut would be the next best choice imo. Ffive use them don't they Gav?

[Pills]

I also have the Speed Hut. Great gauges and service to match.
I went from original Smiths which were beautiful to look at by day but flying blind at night. Not to mention they need lots of real estate behind the dash.
You can't beat the benefits of digital technology. I do like the look of your new dial face though Tenrocca. I suspect you might get a few requests.

[Aussie Mike]

Pills, I've got big Autometer gauges and they also use up a lot of real estate behind the dash. Lighting is not great either as they rely on light shining around the edges of the gauges as the gauge faces are opaque. But I've always liked the look of them.

I like how slim the speed hut gauges are, the fact you can customize the faces and most of the smaller gauges come with 270 degree sweep on the needles. Given the choice again would probably buy a set of them.

Cheers

[Tenrocca]

First run with the trolase laminated acrylic. Looks pretty good but going to play with the setup to see if I can get the engraving a little neater and cleaner.

[stiffy]

Flash,


Careful I might order a second set off you matey.

This is how it will play out, you will talk about it for a further 7 years,

Every week bringing up the thread again, then when something else is released

Start the journey over again.........

When you finally decide to pull the trigger you wonder why the price has

changed.......... true story...... just enjoy your car as it is, it looks great.

Stiffy

[Tenrocca]

At this stage I'll just be doing the speedo and tach , as that is all I need. But I can probably run off extras if anyone needs one.

Mounted in the case and pretty happy with how it looks, even as a basic flat face. Will check to see how well it lights up at night over the weekend.

[Rob. Smith]

I bought a full set of smiths Gauges from Europa Spares England CAi gauges with the reverse speedo in mph , volts , fuel , tach ,amps and a clock. good stuff (so far )

[Tenrocca]

At night ;

[stephen low]

Mr T

PM sent but not received, your mailbox is full to pu55ie's bow....you need to delete some "stuff".

Cheers

[schipps]

that looks superb Andrew!!

[Tenrocca]

Originally Posted by stephen low

Mr T

PM sent but not received, your mailbox is full to pu55ie's bow....you need to delete some "stuff".

Cheers

Sorry mate, it's full of messages from cc members telling me what a top bloke I am. I'll pm u with my email address.

Cheers

[Gaz64]

Originally Posted by Tenrocca

At this stage I'll just be doing the speedo and tach , as that is all I need. But I can probably run off extras if anyone needs one.

Mounted in the case and pretty happy with how it looks, even as a basic flat face. Will check to see how well it lights up at night over the weekend.

Looks good.

Maybe another little hobby that can make some money?

[Gav]

Originally Posted by Tenrocca

Sorry mate, it's full of messages from cc members telling me what a top bloke I am. I'll pm u with my email address.

Cheers

Yeah, nah.

[Bender]

Love your work Tenrocca. They look great. The seedhut gauges look great too.
I have genuine Smiths gauges for mine. I have the speedo from a Mk1 Cortina and the Tacho from an MG. The bezel is the one with a 45 degree angle on it and both match. I also have a set of Mk2 GT cortina smiths gauges with the flatter bezel. I don't have a tacho for that set but they are for my 1932 tudor with a dash mounted Smiths tacho.
Smiths gauges can be found as standard equipment in MG's, cortinas for those that want to search for original units.