RUMCars Forum
General Category => Unusual Microcar Discussion => Topic started by: AndyL on January 08, 2015, 04:13:31 PM
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Does anyone know if new old stock or remade face plates plus replacement chrome trim rings are available for the VDO speedometers fitted onto Isetta's.
I've read about about companies offering refurbishment in the States, but I bet it's an arm and a leg, plus another arm. I've also seen good speedo's for sale on German sites, and they vary from about 100-200 euros depending on condition.
My VDO speedo is in good mechanical condition but the face is badly stained/faded and the chrome ring is badly mangled. I do also have a new old stock Smiths speedo, although that requires a different cable and right angle drive- I have the angle drive but it looks a bit ropey and I've heard they were prone to failure (probably due to lack of lubrication).
Andy
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Faces and rims available in Germany. Even saw MPH ones. Might be Speedy Cables have access to them. Not particularly cheap. I have a rim that can be made to fit going on my new spares list. Sadly they have not proven idiot proof, so I had stopped selling them, however I have more than I will ever use.
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Have you got a specific link or contact for the faces in Germany?
I did consider having a crack at making my own dry transfer by scanning the face in cleaning up the image, and tracing a vector file. however blooming lot of faffing about, so if new ones are available and not too stupidly priced, probably worth going for one of those.
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Sadly not. I will have seen them at Mannheim while stomping about. This would include BMW specialists, VDO specialists, but probably the guy that made them, direct. Bit like the Hungarian forger and his chassis plate/ID and other signage stand. Seems most bought from him, so going direct for a bulk order was always the best idea. The home of Trojan of Groydon, well he was Hungarian and probably given a poor example to copy. Quality control failure coming in there. from the side. (He sold out but many a Heinkel has its heart in Groydon). Bert Grimmer used to stock some speedo faces, but I doubt in MPH.
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Okay. So it seems they're only available if you happen to chance upon the right sellers, and they seem to be done on a small batch process.
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Have you asked on the Isetta forum? This one is mainly inhabited by the odd stuff owners.
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No. I take it you're referring to the Isettaworld group?
There are a few English members on there, but it seems to be mainly U.S based members that respond and chat, so you tend to get U.S based recommendations, whereas I generally prefer to deal with someone a bit closer to home if at all possible.
I may give the facebook groups a try, one or two familiar names that crop up there.
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I know what you mean, they are a friendly and helpful bunch of rebel colonials but they just assume you are an American. Ironic really as its the forum of the Isetta Owners club of Great Britain.
Have you tried Dave Tadman?
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Yes. I think Dave likes to save speedos and such like for the restorations he does for customers.
Perhaps I'll just fit the Smiths- it's mint, and I think it fits in better with the British Isetta. I'll just have to do something with the gearbox.
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It seems the facebook group has come up trumps. A member there has a presentable VDO gauge. Chrome rim could do with replating, but the face looks good, so that's the main thing. I also found out something else rather interesting, another member mentioned he runs with a Smiths speedo, but doesn't have the reversing gearbox fitted to the chaincase.
I always understood these were necessary and why VDO's were more popular. However both speedos run anticlockwise, so maybe the gearbox is surplus to requirements. Seems strange though that on what was a minimalist car, something superfluous would be fitted.
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It was an attempt to lighten the counterbalance and gain some efficiency?