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Speedometer Question
Posted: Thu Dec 15, 2005 9:06 pm
by Reverb
The speedometer that came in my old buggy project is a Stewart Warner. Is this original VW or aftermarket? Most VW speedometers that I`ve seen are VDO I think. The hole in the dash is 4 1/2". Is this standard size? I like the looks of mine, but it`s pretty weather beaten. Sorry about the size of the pic. I don`t know how to size it down.

Posted: Thu Dec 15, 2005 9:16 pm
by UncleBob
It's not original VW. It's not VW aftermarket. It's definitely old, and very unique. Does the VW speedo cable screw into the back? I would guess that the old Stewart Warner speedo you have would be valuable to someone. Are there letters/numbers stamped on the back? They may indicate what year the speedo was made.
Posted: Thu Dec 15, 2005 9:31 pm
by Olli
That is a nice find. You should contact Stewart Warner to get more info. 1/100th of a mile! wow. That spedometer might be worth a lot of $$ to the right person. Olli
Posted: Thu Dec 15, 2005 9:42 pm
by Gene-C
Says "Survey Speedometer" and clicks of 1/100ths-53 ft or so. Could be old military or off of a Lewis and Clark canoe.
Posted: Thu Dec 15, 2005 9:46 pm
by Reverb
Here is a pic from the rear. I can`t find any stampings of any kind. On the tach (which was made by Sun), there was a stamp 1963. This speedo still works. I spun the front wheel to test it before removing it.

Posted: Thu Dec 15, 2005 10:07 pm
by Reverb
I found another one like it on ebay. Reserve not met at $76.00. They say it`s dated 1942.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Stewart- ... dZViewItem
Posted: Thu Dec 15, 2005 10:14 pm
by domorr
It's a hot rod classic. If you go to The H.A.M.B. on google or
www.jalopyjournal.com I think you will fin a guy in Texas that is looking for one. He may be a good source of information.
Posted: Thu Dec 15, 2005 11:43 pm
by Gene-C
I would think you can get a VW one for much less and they seems to work just fine. Mine been in my buggy for over 30 years and still works OK. do you have your buggy on the road yet? or is it still a project? AZSpeedBuggy
Posted: Thu Dec 15, 2005 11:59 pm
by Reverb
do you have your buggy on the road yet? or is it still a project?
It`s still a project. I`m on disability right now, so money is an issue. I`m planning on having the body painted around Feb. 2006. I haven`t decided yet weather to build an engine, or buy one. I know of a couple good used 1915cc engines for sale locally.
Posted: Fri Dec 16, 2005 12:20 am
by newmanx59
You can probably list that speedo on Ebay with the word "RatRod" in the title and make a good buck on it. The "Rat Rod " crowd will pay good money for the correct, period parts. You can pickup stock functional VW speedos all day long for $5.00 at swap meets or on the Samba.
Posted: Fri Dec 16, 2005 12:22 am
by Lee
I like that speedo because 65 MPH is waaaaaaay over to the right. Makes you feel like you're going faster than you really are.
Posted: Fri Dec 16, 2005 12:37 am
by Gene-C
I'd keep that speedo. looks rare and valuable to me. Put a VW speedo in your buggie and put that in your office on a shelf...
Posted: Fri Dec 16, 2005 12:41 am
by Reverb
You can pickup stock functional VW speedos all day long for $5.00 at swap meets or on the Samba.
So, I assume 4 1/2" is the correct size hole for a VW speedo? I might need to investigate the other "vintage" gauges that came with my buggy. I`m considering buying the VDO`s with the white face that glow blue at night.
Posted: Sun Dec 18, 2005 7:57 pm
by Reverb
Does a Porsche speedometer hook up the same way as a VW? Does anybody know the diameter of a Porsche speedometer? I have a 4 1/2" hole on my dash. I saw some Porsche speedo`s on ebay...just wondering if they`ll fit.
Posted: Sun Dec 18, 2005 10:26 pm
by Gene-C
Reverb, my speedometer hole is 4.25 (4 1/4) that fits VW speedometer. Don't know about the size of a Porsche speedometer. AZSpeedBuggy