TheSamba.com :: View topic - What is this Tachometer? And where can I find it?

Sun Feb 02, 2014 3:23 pm

Quick question.... I saw this picture, and I need some info on it.
I know this is a tachometer, but what vw is it from, what size is it, and where can I find one?

Thanks! :lol:

~Jill

Sun Feb 02, 2014 3:27 pm

It may not be VW at all, VDO was / is a major supplier of automobile instruments.

If it is VW I'm going to guess early, back in the late 50's maybe?......

Good luck seeking answers to your questions.

Here's a thread to start you on your way.......
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6802163

Dave

Sun Feb 02, 2014 4:13 pm

I assumed it was because I found the picture on the samba dictionary page. Haha. But I didn't know that. Thanks for the info! :)

~Jill

Sun Feb 02, 2014 6:02 pm

Looks like type 3 if it is VW

Sun Feb 02, 2014 10:45 pm

It's for a Type 3.

Here
http://neil.us/type3/tach/

Not sure of the exact size, 4-5" or so.
Same size as a Type 3 fuel gauge or clock (So smaller than the large Ghia clock)
They are not commonly for sale since they are original vintage accessories.
I think the last one I saw was... wait for it... around $600.

Mon Feb 03, 2014 6:06 am

What does UPM stand for?

Mon Feb 03, 2014 6:37 am

Kmolenda wrote: What does UPM stand for?

One of the german words for "revolution" starts with a U.

Mon Feb 03, 2014 9:04 am

88 E5PR1T wrote: Kmolenda wrote: What does UPM stand for?

One of the german words for "revolution" starts with a U.

Google translate says
Revolutions = Umdrehungen

Mon Feb 03, 2014 9:12 am

EverettB wrote: 88 E5PR1T wrote: Kmolenda wrote: What does UPM stand for?

One of the german words for "revolution" starts with a U.

Google translate says
Revolutions = Umdrehungen

Correct, in German, Revolutions per Minute is Umdrehungen pro Minute.

Mon Feb 03, 2014 12:16 pm

Not sure if that tach would fit any original hole in a ghia dash. Whats the plan?

Mon Feb 03, 2014 2:55 pm

c21darrel wrote: Not sure if that tach would fit any original hole in a ghia dash. Whats the plan?

I'm putting a 67 speedo in my 66, so the plan is to make it fit, and hopefully get a vdo tach to match. if the tach is the same size I'm golden. my brother has a 69 fastback and it doesn't have a tach like this... but if it is type 3, then i would assume its smaller than the speedo I have. bottom line, i need a matching tach. :D
or, I have to go aftermarket or stock. I have the stock gauges, i'm just in love with the later model ones.

~Jill

Mon Feb 03, 2014 3:02 pm

EverettB wrote: It's for a Type 3.

Here
http://neil.us/type3/tach/

Not sure of the exact size, 4-5" or so.
Same size as a Type 3 fuel gauge or clock (So smaller than the large Ghia clock)
They are not commonly for sale since they are original vintage accessories.
I think the last one I saw was... wait for it... around $600.

Slightly smaller than the large ghia clock is what I need. So it may work.... now I just have to find one ><

Mon Feb 03, 2014 4:15 pm

If you are converting your '66 to 12 volts, then you have some options for a large tach. The Porsche 912 tach is almost identical in size to the '66 and earlier Ghia's clock and speedo. I bought such a tach over 25 years ago at a Porsche Club swap meet when they were going for $25 to $40 in presentable used condition.

Here's a shot of the Porsche 912 tachometer in my '64 Ghia. The clock hole is still the same size as your '66's clock hole. Don't mind the junk on the right floor; they are some parts from the last VW meet I attended. And my cat enjoys relaxing in and on the car in the garage.

I've seen some skilled people here on theSamba open up the tach body, and install a new dial based on a Photoshop template, matching the font of the speedo's numbers. The tach ends up looking magnificent. Like what ernstben did on his Ghia-

Before (912 tach like mine)-

After:

Mon Feb 03, 2014 5:07 pm

Rome wrote:

Usually, engineers fit a cat to a car to clean up the exhaust, not the interior, but even so, I doubt this solution will work for either goal. :lol:

Mon Feb 03, 2014 5:15 pm

jajajill wrote: EverettB wrote: It's for a Type 3.

Here
http://neil.us/type3/tach/

Not sure of the exact size, 4-5" or so.
Same size as a Type 3 fuel gauge or clock (So smaller than the large Ghia clock)
They are not commonly for sale since they are original vintage accessories.
I think the last one I saw was... wait for it... around $600.

Slightly smaller than the large ghia clock is what I need. So it may work.... now I just have to find one ><

I measured one and I was off, it's more like 3 1/4".

Mon Feb 03, 2014 5:58 pm

Lots of ghia tachometer examples discussed here:

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3...mp;start=0

You will have to weed through the ones for '56-'66 ghia dashes from those for '67-'71 ghias and '72-'74 ghias.

Tue Feb 04, 2014 12:13 am

jajajill wrote: Quick question.... I saw this picture, and I need some info on it.
I know this is a tachometer, but what vw is it from, what size is it, and where can I find one?

Thanks! :lol:

~Jill

but what vw is it from ... aftermarket Type 3 accessory from 1966, came in white needle 6 volt or 12 Volt versions
what size is it ... 85 mm ( = 3 1/4 inch),
and where can I find one? ... next to that needle in a hay stack. They are very hard to find and rarer than the earlier red needle versions.

Tue Feb 04, 2014 11:57 am

I think the best thing to do in my case would be design a new face for a 912 tach to match my 67 speedo. Haven't seen that done before, but If I get it right, I'll surely post it!
=}

Thanks everyone for your input!

~Jill

Tue Feb 04, 2014 12:24 pm

Another option to modifying a 912 tach is to convert your ghia clock into a 12V tach. North Hollywood Speedometer did this for me in my '66 ghia convertible. The look is identical to the dealer accessory tach sold by VW in 1966, except that the guts are from a 12V 52 mm VDO Cockpit gauge that was sacrificed to make the larger tach.

Tue Feb 04, 2014 4:49 pm

Seems there was a thread awhile back about someone who offered Tacs for Ghias. I'm not good at searching for older threads, but I think I saved the info. and will post tomorrow. In the meantime, you may be able to find the older thread.

billb