Vdo Guages And Steering Wheel

letitbe · #1 (**permalink**) 04-25-2005, 01:21 PM

What is the guage to the left of the steering column in the BDR with VDO's.

Has anyone replaced their BDR steering wheel and what did you go with?

Letitbe

tfarhood · #2 (**permalink**) 04-25-2005, 07:53 PM

If I'm not mistaken, the gauge with VDO is oil temp. With Autometer you get a clock. (Unless there is something new going on).
As for the wheel, I put in a Motalita. I like the look of the original. I went with a 15". The bolt pattern is not the same, so you'll need to drill and tap the hub if you switch. The hub has plenty of room for this, it is not a big deal. I did it myself, but any machine shop can do it for you.

chuckmynatt · #3 (**permalink**) 04-25-2005, 11:58 PM

You are correct. The gauge left of the wheel is oil temp on a BDR.

Ant · #4 (**permalink**) 04-26-2005, 05:15 AM

Excuse me for being a bit critical about VDO gauges in a Cobra, and VDO are a very good product but why put aftermarket gauges like VDO in a cob replica when there are very good options like Smiths made in the UK, and Autometer make a nice replica set of quality instruments.

This could be living in the past but 20 odd years ago they looked like and were used a lot for Jet boat gauges, maybe they have made a set of period looking gauges for old classic road race cars!

Ron61 · #5 (**permalink**) 04-26-2005, 06:09 AM

Ant,

Why not put any gages that anyone wants in one of these cars? No matter what you put in they are and will always be just Replicas. Some people go to extremes to make tham look as original as possible and that is great. I went the other way and made mine look as un-original as I could as I thought that would avoid some of the Is It Real questions. We all built these cars to suite ourselves except the purists, and this is in no way a knock on them. I admire looking at one that you have to ask if it is original. I use VDO gages and love being able to calibrate the speedo for a gear or tire change by just driving a mile and pushing a button.

Ron

davidlee · #6 (**permalink**) 04-26-2005, 11:10 AM

I have Autometer gauges on my BDR and my left gauge is an oil temp.

trularin · #7 (**permalink**) 04-26-2005, 01:00 PM

Got to love that electronic speedo.

I have all VDO.

Ant · #8 (**permalink**) 04-26-2005, 03:12 PM

Ron,

My car wont look anything like an original in a lot of areas, but I am a stickler for period looking gauges and knock off wheels, I used to own the odd race car with tell tale Smiths tacho and genuine McLaren wheels etc so it started a way back when I was young and impressionable years ago!

Hey anyone can fit what they like and the last thing I would do is impose my tastes on others, but I guess it creates healthy discussion on the forum. I have just ordered a set of Smiths with the electronic telemetrix pickup Speedometer, as I will have a transmission without a speedo takeoff of any kind. The Autometer set or speedo that I had was of no use to me!

I have heard that Smiths can be unreliable so I dont know whether thats the new Caerbont UK stuff or just Smiths in general, I would emagine that VDO would be very reliable though.

BevanWright · #9 (**permalink**) 04-26-2005, 05:09 PM

Gees Ant - you make me feel bad now. You sold me your car that has VDO gauges. Boo hoo.

Cashburn · #10 (**permalink**) 04-26-2005, 09:06 PM

accuracy... <what is the symbol for ROTFLMAO?>

uncltodd · #11 (**permalink**) 04-26-2005, 09:35 PM

Jeez, my left-hand gauge is a dumb-a$$ed analog clock.

When I kill the battery, the clock stops.

What do I need with a dumb-a$$sed clock anyway?

What's "time" to a BDR?

When I'm running the gears in traffic, my ears are my tach, my speedo is 'way out of whack from the factory, my rear-view mirror is a dinky a$$ed cruel joke due to vibration. No side-views.

My wrinkled butt tells me where I am, what's happening, and what might happen next. My head swivels like a hand-puppet, get real, I'm driving two street bikes at once, think about it. With a passenger I get VERY protective.

WOW! I think I will bend my head sideways and focus on my clock thru the steering wheel spokes and ignore the road!

I'm Autometer- my Tach is off 500 rpm, fuel gauge is another joke.

Depending on which friendly cop or H-Patrol nails me, my speedo is off from 10 to 15 MPH on the low side at 60 MPH.

I ALWAYS travel out-of town with a good looking female in the right seat.

I was born at night... but not last night.

Tomorrow is my day off, sunny, warm.

Got three rides lined up, so far.

Three young females, you chowderheads.

Sorry, still on adrenaline from this afternoon.

UT

Ant · #12 (**permalink**) 04-26-2005, 10:29 PM

Bevan,

I thought your car had Autometer standard type gauges?

There is one important gauge and thats how "how big the smile is" when you are doing over 100mph in a Gulf coloured Cobra, with the back trying to overtake the front of the car.

BevanWright · #13 (**permalink**) 04-27-2005, 04:33 PM

Oh bugger - you are right, anyway, they dont look original!

Anyway - yes I love the car, and everything about it - and I have only spun once or twice (actually probably about 10 times).

Ant · #14 (**permalink**) 04-27-2005, 06:09 PM

Hey Bevan, I like your original Gulf colours and # plate.

Originality isnt important at all, because as mentioned earlier by Ron61 none of use have an original car and who cares. I just have a thing about not using imitation knock offs and I love the look of Smiths gauges.

This car is going to be built for speed etc, not originality and hopefully I can run it at an event where you are competing one day and have some fun.

BevanWright · #15 (**permalink**) 05-11-2005, 10:16 PM

Yeh - I do too - I think the car will stay just as is - tho I will geta refresh of the paint. Racing at Ohakea has taken its toll.

That would be fun to have a race - havnt raced against any other Cobras for a few years now. When I started racing there would always be half a dozen - now none!

Must get out in the garage and get the car ready for another event - has been since last November - and hardly touched since then.