Has anyone here have any experience with Classic Instruments 1940 Ford original style 6 in 1 gauge cluster? I was planning on using a 1940 deluxe gauge cluster in a custom dash in my 1929 roadster project, but I found this instrument cluster by Classic instruments, and find that it solves a lot of problems that I would have to deal with, and save me a lot of time and labor. Please let me know what your thoughts are if you have any experience with this set-up , or have one in you car. If you have one how well did it work, and if possible, could you post some pictures of the actual cluster mounted in your car? The picture/ drawing on classic instruments web site is not very good, and does not show a lot of detail. Thanks for any comments and opinions. ---- Jim
I’ve put two of them in. First one the odometer wouldn’t work, sent it back and they repaired/returned. The second one developed a temp gauge issue (failure) after driving the car a couple times. They’ve been working great other than that and make for any easy install. Customer service is always good and easy to get ahold of. Despite the issues with both I’d use them again.
I have the Hot rod black with white letters in my 40 great service and the gages look & operate great
I couldn't be happier with the gauges. I like the fact there are no indicator lights on the dash, just a clean, simple, direct fit gauge panel. I sent CI a 41 mercy clock I found on line and they gutted it, added lights, electric movement and painted it to match the gauges. I put that in my glove box door. When we went to Rod Run at the beach this year the police had erected digital speed signs on the back roads. My electronic speedo was dead nuts on!
Does the gauge cluster you have, incorporate the turn signal and high beam indicator lights? This is one of the things I cannot see in the web site pictures , or your photo. If yours does , could you post a close up photo showing them., I am concerned that they may be larger than I would like, and may look out of place.
Thanks to all of you fellows for posting reply's, I am glad to see that all most all of it has been positive. Thank You.
They sure do. Indicator lights are mounted behind the face and light up the gauge face somewhat. No actual hole in the gauge face. Can’t even tell they’re there until you light them up.
There was an excellent old tech week article here years ago on a homemade instrument cluster upgrade for a '40 Standard dash using a speedometer from a 1970 or so Valiant/Dart/ Demon/ Scamp for those of us interested in a cheaper alternative. Can't remember the details but it worked for me.
goldmountain, Thanks for the tip, but salvage yards here in Alaska with anything older than 1980 are about non-existent. scrap company's came up here in the '90's and bought all the old stuff and crushed them and shipped them out to the lower 48 states. I have a 1940 deluxe cluster but this Classic instrument set-up would save a lot of time and work as far as t/s, high beam indicator and electronic speedo to match my t-5 trans. Thanks for the tip though I will keep it in mind .
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