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Technical Speedometer decals

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by bobj49f2, Jan 25, 2026.

  1. bobj49f2
    Joined: Jun 1, 2008
    Posts: 1,969

    bobj49f2
    Member

    I am looking for decals for the speedometer on my 1937 Buick. There was a person on eBay a while back that sold them and had a website but now I can't find anything about the place. Anyone have a lead on this place that made speedo decals for all makes of cars?
     
    lothiandon1940 likes this.
  2. Kosmos55
    Joined: Feb 23, 2022
    Posts: 162

    Kosmos55
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    I’d be interested too.
    My ‘40 Plymouth dash had the numbers “touched up” and looks terrible.
    I was thinking of printing my own on transparent vinyl at work but would need to custom make the design to look original… doable but could take awhile.
     
    lothiandon1940 likes this.
  3. lothiandon1940
    Joined: May 24, 2007
    Posts: 32,597

    lothiandon1940
    Member

  4. 19Eddy30
    Joined: Mar 27, 2011
    Posts: 4,122

    19Eddy30
    Member
    from VA

    Shops that do custom graphics, signs and wraps , A good one can duplicate look ,design anything you want & to scale
     
    mad mikey likes this.
  5. guthriesmith
    Joined: Aug 17, 2006
    Posts: 12,208

    guthriesmith
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    @e1956v to the front counter please. :D
     
    1952henry likes this.
  6. e1956v
    Joined: Sep 29, 2009
    Posts: 2,598

    e1956v
    Alliance Vendor

    Checking something
     
    guthriesmith likes this.
  7. e1956v
    Joined: Sep 29, 2009
    Posts: 2,598

    e1956v
    Alliance Vendor

    I think the gentleman on eBay that did silkscreen on gl*** was grandpadodge
    Unfortunately he has nothing listed (he always had a lot listed) I hope he has not p***ed on.
    He did amazing work, he did several one off jobs for me like an old Diamond Reo. Other than that I don’t have a regular source. With scanning abilities out there the sky is the limit with computers but I have no artistic talent or computer skills. My neighbor just purchased a laser etching computer system that etches anything. Look for someone locally who can do that or perhaps a sign shop for decals, one off’s are not cheap though. Two one off’s that Grandpadodge did for me both on gl***. IMG_6536.jpeg IMG_6535.jpeg
     
  8. bobj49f2
    Joined: Jun 1, 2008
    Posts: 1,969

    bobj49f2
    Member

    Now this is kind of strange.

    I've been searching to find the guy and found some information on different automotive discussion boards. I did some more searching and it turns out he was the brother, he p***ed last year, of a guy I used to know through my affiliation in the old Ford truck group. His brother responded to an email I sent him and that's when I found out his brother p***ed. He offered to put me in contact with is brother's widow who might have the pieces I am looking for in their inventory.
     
    David Gersic and guthriesmith like this.
  9. e1956v
    Joined: Sep 29, 2009
    Posts: 2,598

    e1956v
    Alliance Vendor

    So sorry to hear this
    RIP grandpadodge
     
    mad mikey, 1952henry and guthriesmith like this.
  10. LOST ANGEL
    Joined: Jan 2, 2003
    Posts: 5,441

    LOST ANGEL
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

  11. Foot
    Joined: Sep 1, 2008
    Posts: 14

    Foot
    Member

    I looked into making my own tachometers, and pad printing is what it's called. There are kits to acid etch your Adobe Illustrator file to a metal plate, then the silicone blob, dips into the ink pad and you transfer it to the gauge face. Could be a fun hobby.

     
    e1956v likes this.
  12. Foot
    Joined: Sep 1, 2008
    Posts: 14

    Foot
    Member

    It would be fun to make my own plates using uv light and photo sensitive polymer engraving plates. They say it takes 30 minutes to make one plate. But they can make them for you with lasers much faster.

     
  13. woodiewagon46
    Joined: Mar 14, 2013
    Posts: 2,538

    woodiewagon46
    Member
    from New York

    If you are only looking for the odometer numbers they are available from most Model A suppliers.
     
  14. '29 Gizmo
    Joined: Nov 6, 2022
    Posts: 1,198

    '29 Gizmo
    Member
    from UK

    I have used waterslide decals to restore an old pre-war era speedo. A lot of fonts and styles available from model supplies.

    20251024_120356.jpg
     
    Last edited: Jan 29, 2026 at 3:54 PM
    mad mikey and 19Eddy30 like this.
  15. bobj49f2
    Joined: Jun 1, 2008
    Posts: 1,969

    bobj49f2
    Member

    Each manufacturer used different fonts for OEM gauges. I don't think you can find the correct font and arrangement for a factory look. I make rubber running board mats for '37/38 Buicks, for a generic look you can use ribbed rubber matting found at most home improvement stores but you can find rubber mats to get the correct look.
     
  16. cfmvw
    Joined: Aug 24, 2015
    Posts: 1,148

    cfmvw
    Member

    How did they print speedometer faces back in the day? Were they decals? Silkscreened?
     
    19Eddy30 likes this.
  17. e1956v
    Joined: Sep 29, 2009
    Posts: 2,598

    e1956v
    Alliance Vendor

    Silkscreened
     
    cfmvw likes this.
  18. e1956v
    Joined: Sep 29, 2009
    Posts: 2,598

    e1956v
    Alliance Vendor

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