|
Trivial question: What other cars used reverse speedos?
Just wondering...
Other than the original 427 competition and S/C Cobras, are there any other cars which have used reverse-wound speedometers, whether from Smiths or another company? I can't think of any myself... |
I assume the AC Ace Bristol at least?
|
I don't think so. The original 260/289 Cobras were very closely based on the AC Ace, and they used normal Stewart Warner gauges. I think the reverse-wind speedo made its first appearance on the 427 comp cars in 1965. And most of the 427 roadsters with the street dash would've used normal wound speedos.
|
A quick flick through Simon Taylor's book 'AC Heritage' suggests that only the 427 S/Cs had the reverse wind speedo.
289s were also fitted with smiths or SW gauges but not the reverse wind item. |
I have read numerous theories on why they were equipped with reverse speedos, but does anyone know the real reason behind it?
Andrei |
Quote:
|
Many street 427 Cobras came with the reverse speedo. A quick look through my photos shows them in CSX 3240, 3288, and 3346, all three being unrestored very original cars.
|
Yes I've noticed that too, Jim.
I read somewhere that it was common for British sports cars to use reverse-wind speedos, but for the life of me I can't think of one (other than the CSX3000-series Cobras). Can anyone think of any other cars that used 'em? It seems bizarre that a gauge supplier would've tooled up to produce reverse-wind speedos for the Cobras only, which were produced in such small numbers. |
I seem to remember that some early Jag XKs used them, but I couldn't confirm that using the interweb... Or maybe the MK8 or MK9.
|
In Rinsey Mills book "Original AC Ace and Cobra", page 91, he wrote: " An anti-clockwise speedometer is fitted to the S/C and some early road 427's." From the same book and all the photos included, it appears that all Ace's, Acera's and early Cobras were fitted with standard speedo's. Of the early Cobra's, a couple used 5" speedos from the 2.6 Ace but then switched to 4" normal speedos from Smiths. "From chassis CSX 2201, US cars were fitted with Stewart Warner gauges as a matter of course..."
Of note is the fact that he says the SW speedo and tach were 3.5 " in diameter. (page 75-76. However, in all the books I have read, there has never been a "reason" given for using a reverse speedo. Maybe some one should contact Shel and ask him. |
perhaps for RHD cars they were not "reversed"?
|
| All times are GMT -7. The time now is 07:37 PM. |
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.0
Copyright ©2000 - 2026, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Search Engine Friendly URLs by vBSEO 3.6.0
The representations expressed are the representations and opinions of the clubcobra.com forum members and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and viewpoints of the site owners, moderators, Shelby American, any other replica manufacturer, Ford Motor Company. This website has been planned and developed by clubcobra.com and its forum members and should not be construed as being endorsed by Ford Motor Company, or Shelby American or any other manufacturer unless expressly noted by that entity. "Cobra" and the Cobra logo are registered trademarks for Ford Motor Co., Inc. clubcobra.com forum members agree not to post any copyrighted material unless the copyrighted material is owned by you. Although we do not and cannot review the messages posted and are not responsible for the content of any of these messages, we reserve the right to delete any message for any reason whatsoever. You remain solely responsible for the content of your messages, and you agree to indemnify and hold us harmless with respect to any claim based upon transmission of your message(s). Thank you for visiting clubcobra.com. For full policy documentation refer to the following link: