Looking for info on new guages & wiring

[John Montgomery]

My Contemporary was built in '89 and I think it's due for new guages. The guy I bought it from replaced some of the Smith's when they quit working, with off-brand types. So I have a hodge-podge of guages. Also the wiring behind the dash is a little chopped up.

I thought about using the Autometer reproduction guages from Highland Daytona. Anybody have any experience with them? And who makes the best/easiest replacement wiring? I've only heard of 2: Painless and Ron Francis. I'm sure there are others, but don't know who is best.

Thanks for your help....

John

[48 IDA]

Hi John,
I have orginal wiring diagrams from Contemporary. Give me a call
if you would like to see them.
One of the items that Contemporary supplied in the wiring was
a eletronic unit that controled the single tail lights, brake, and
turn signal through one bulb. This may be a question you need to ask the people who will provide you with a wiring harness.

I had a good time at the car gathering on Meritt Island saterday
nite, thanks for the invite.

Don

[wadesdad]

I'm using Ron Francis and the Autometer Repro gauges. I am quite happy with both. I found it easier to deal with Tri-States Motorsports tha HDR. Nothing major, but I found being able to use a credit card for a phone order through Tri-States was more to my liking.

The difference I've observed between Ron Francis and Painless is that Painless is prewired from the fuse box outward. Ron Francis wiring is the opposite. Ron Francis terminates at the fusebox. Both Ron Francis and Painless produce good results.

[Chaplin]

I just ordered a set of Autometers from HDR. I obviously can't tell you if I like them, because I don't even have a car to put them in yet, but soon enough. The people at HDR were great to deal with, one of the more pleasant buying experiences I've had recently. The credit card thing is a pain, but the good news is that within the next couple of weeks they will be accepting credit cards.