Smiths gauges on early cars

[xb-60]

Another Smiths question…are the Smiths gauges as used on the CSX2000 to CSX 2200 cars and COB/COX cars the same as the Smiths Gauges on the 427 cars? An obvious exception is of course the speedo having the normal direction swing on the 289 (and 260) cars.
An alternate way of asking this is….are the gauges that Nisonger lists as “427 Cobra OEM Smiths gauges” correct to use on street dash 289 cars?
Cheers,
Glen

[SunDude]

I think the 260/289 Cobras used Stewart Warner gauges, not Smiths.

Smiths were used on the 427/428s only.

[A-Snake]

Originally Posted by SunDude

I think the 260/289 Cobras used Stewart Warner gauges, not Smiths.

Smiths were used on the 427/428s only.

Not true. 260 & 289 Cobras through CSX2200 use Lucas electrics and Smith gauges. 289 COX & COB leaf spring cars also used Smith gauges.

[mickmate]

Most street cars I've seen have a clockwise 160 mph Smiths speedo.
csxinfo.net - Photo Gallery
Nisonger have those correct ones as well as the counterclockwise 180's

[xb-60]

Thanks.
So are there any differences in the minor gauges between the Smiths items fitted to 427s and the Smiths fitted to 289s?
Nisonger show a Lucas ammeter for the OEM 427 gauges. Is this correct for 289s as well, or should it be a Smiths ammeter?
Cheers,
Glen

[blue sky]

Actually there are 3 different Smiths speedometers for the Mk1 and Mk2 cars. The British Mk2 models used the last of these gauges. The Mk3 427 cars had the reverse speedo I believe on all the cars but I may be wrong. The Mk3 289 Sport used a Mk2 speedo or seldomly a very rare speedo that was diferent from all the others. Most US early Mk1 and Mk2 cars did not use the Smiths tach which was mechanical. The Smiths small gauges are the same whether for a Mk2 or a Mk3. The amp gauge is not a Smiths but a Lucas unit since Smiths did not make amp gauges. The amp gauges between a Mk2 and a Mk3 are different due to the current. Having said all of this the reproduction gauges are not exact to the original. All Smiths instruments have a number silkscreened on the face that identifies the gauge which the reproductions from Nissonger do not. This is how to determine which speedo goes in which car since all read 160 mph. The difference has to do with calibration. If you are restoring an original Mk1 or Mk2 and need the instrument number, drop me an email. Also the cases are not identical to the original ones of the 60's. It all comes down to how exact you want to be. Anyway good luck with your project. Regards

[GWL]

These were my findings from a while back.

CSX2000 to 2200 - Smith Gauges
Large gauges – 4” (100mm)
Small gauges – 2 – 1/16” (52mm)

From 2201 onto 427 cars - Stewart Warner
Large gauges – 3 – ½”
Small gauges – 2 – 1/8”

427 Cars – Smith gauges
Large gauges 4” (100mm)
Small gauges – 2 – 1/16” (52mm)
Ammeter was Lucas

FIA Cars – fitted with Stewart Warner gauges at 2 – 5/8” for oil pressure and oil temperature and a 2 – 1/16” Ammeter-I do not know about the large gauge or gauges

It is interesting to note that the first one or two cars may have come with 5" speedometer and tachometer gauges. From Rinsey Mills book, Original AC Ace & Cobra, 1990“Apart from the first one or two cars which used 2.6 Ace 5” main instruments, both the speedometer and rev counter were of 4” diameter.”

George

[xb-60]

Thanks George. Yes I had read that before. I know that the early CSX cars and the COB/COX cars had Smiths gauges, and yes I know that the 427 cars also had Smiths gauges. However, the only Cobra OEM Smiths gauges available from Nisonger and others are listed as "427 Cobra OEM Smiths" gauges, so I needed to establish if the early Smiths-equipped Cobras had Smiths gauges that are identical to, or close to identical to, the "427 Cobra OEM Smiths" gauges that Nisonger has available (so that I don't fork out cash and then find that I've got the wrong ones).
Nobody has said so far that they aren't the same.....so I think it's likely that they were the same.
Cheers,
Glen

[GWL]

What other choice do you have other than trying to acquire the originals which are probably not available? If really needed and you find there is some visual difference you could have someone silk screen the proper face or whatever onto the present reproductions.

Short of getting an answer from someone here go to the many sites that have Cobra pictures and begin downloading dash pictures into a 'Dash' file for later enlarging and studying.

George

[mickmate]

Reread BlueSky's post. He tells you the difference with the repros.

[xb-60]

Thanks for the comments and information, gentlemen.
My 'project' will be a replica of an English COB car, not a resto of an original car.
I will use period bits when I can find them and of course reproduction items, and if the vast resources on this forum can help me confirm what reproduction parts are correct, then I'm very happy!
Cheers,
Glen