Just got my new baby and couldn’t be happier. I have a question about the placement of the speedo. On original Speedsters the speedo is on the right of the tach for obvious reasons. On my V M car the speedo is on the left, Is there some reason for this? Please advise.
Replies sorted oldest to newest
Most builders use the shorter Beetle speedo cable which won’t reach to the right side.
My speedo is GPS
I was out enjoying a drive and noticed I had to move my hand off the wheel to see the left half or the speedo, the zero to sixty part. I thought if the speedo was moved to the right hand hole one could see the tach and speedo much better. When I returned home I checked about 20 pictures of original speedsters and low and behold the speedo is on the right, those Germans do nothing without thinking about it, gotta love them. The right hand side is a lot better place to “read” the speedo and tach together. A lot better. Cheers.
Richard
Rich, if you have a GPS driven speedo then the only thing preventing you from moving it to the other side is the length of the wires in the dash harness. Greg Leach should be able to tell you if there’s enough slack in there to reach. Give him a call.
Gordon,
Greg is on a well earned vacation and apart from the wheels coming off I’m not going to bother him. It’s very odd that the speedo is on that side. I looked under the dash and I would have to spend some time labeling wires to reattach them after the move. Greg has to make some adjustments and add a spare tire his supplier didn’t have when I picked up the car so I hope one of his techs can make the switch then.
Curiously on Greg’s website under Speedster parts MPH gauges the photo shows the speedo on the correct side.
In a majority of the photos on his website and social media the speedo is on the left side. I referenced this in your question about authenticity of speedster replicas as a “knock” against the authenticity of VM speedsters. As mentioned by others, it should be an easy enough fix if it bothers you.
Congrats on picking it up. How is the 2332cc motor and 3.44 trans?
I won't repost what was just here and deleted, but the author needs to know that doesn't fly herein . Nuff said ~
Nuff said is correct
Wow, way to show your true colors. You hope I don’t enjoy my car and I don’t deserve it? Geeze, that’s harsh man. What did I ever do to you? How would you know what I do or don’t deserve based on some internet posts?
You totally misread my response. I am the one who made a comment on your other post about the Speedo being on the left one of the things that is not accurate on VM replicas - many replicas for that matter. I wasn’t putting words in your mouth. I know you have never knocked Greg, VM speedsters, or their product. How could anyone? He clearly does great work.
Not sure what made you snap. Hope you enjoy the new car though.
The left side placement of the speedo may have more to do with habit than anything else. Since the beginning of Speedster replicas the length of the speedo cable had more to do with placement than an attempt at accuracy. The continuing placement of the speedometer on the left is likely just habit. Very easy to move which is what I did when I replaced my gauges with the new set from Carey.
Robert,
I thought as much, my enjoyment came as I found out the practical reason for the right side speedo, it only makes sense the 0 to 60 half of the speedo is closer to the tach and not blocked by your left hand in the 10/2 steering wheel positions. So practical. I meant no slight to any builder I was just wondering if there were some, unknown to me, reason for putting the speedo on that side. Cheers.
I believe that in most old race photos I've seen, the speedo is on the left in SPYDERS.
I've no idea where they should be mounted in a Speedster.
I prefer it there, that way it's harder for the passenger to see how fast you're going!
I can put mine wherever I want due to Speedhut gauges w/GPS. It's on the left.
For me it was a simple way to make it better and realize the was a method at Porsche. All the cars I’ve owned from Porsche had the speedo in the right for now an obvious, to me, reason.
I would like to clarify I meant no slight to any builder, nor did I try to imply any one else was slighting any builders. I would agree with Robert M that the placement is more out of habit. Lots of speedster replicas have speedos on the left which is technically not authentic. Fortunately, it is an easy change to make! I almost wonder if the placement is due to the fact we Americans are used to the Speedo’s typically being on the left.
@DannyP posted:I believe that in most old race photos I've seen, the speedo is on the left in SPYDERS.
I've no idea where they should be mounted in a Speedster.
I prefer it there, that way it's harder for the passenger to see how fast you're going!
I can put mine wherever I want due to Speedhut gauges w/GPS. It's on the left.
True, but there are a some on 550.com with them on the right, which confused me when I bought mine and it was on the right. I expected it on the left which is what I'd seen in most Speedsters, kits and originals.
Some of you might be interested to know that where the Speedo and Multi gauges were placed in the dash was a dealer option on the originals. You could have it on either side - just ask. Same thing applied to RHD cars, too, so there is no "Right versus wrong" side
Just like the transaxle gearing, where you could "have it your way" from the factory if you ordered far enough in advance. You ordered each gear ratio by letter; A-B-C with the gears getting taller as the letters went up. Later "B" models had a D & E for third for racing, but I would have to look those up. Here's a quick chart:
1'st gear
A = 3.18
B = 3.09
C = 2.54
2'ND GEAR
A = 1.94
B = 1.76
C = 1.61
3'RD GEAR
A =1.23
B = 1.13
C = 1.04
4'TH GEAR
A = .960
B = .885
C = .815
FINAL R&P ratios offered:
4.37, 4.42 = Coupe/Convertible
4.85 = Speedster
5.18 (sometimes Speedster/Spyder), 6.31* = Carrera
*(Carrera Race only)
The most popular ratios were:
Coupes and Convertibles: B B B C
Speedsters: B B A B
Gordon,
Always interesing posts. I believe to this day you can get almost anything you want from Porsche including any color, paint to sample. I would love to try the "Speedster" gears and R&P in my car.
Excellent, there is no WRONG speedo placement!
Awesome transaxle info too, Gordon. Thanks!