Hi All, Just wanted to let everyone know that we are releasing part numbers week for more layouts and sizes of our popular 1940 Series gauge line. This line oif military styled instruments has become our most popular line, surp***ing the Woodward Series in sales! Who knew something so simple would be such a success. I want to personally thank everyone on the HAMB for the support over the past couple of years-THANKS! Enough yammering, here are the pics... Our original 1940 sets in 5 or 6 gauge: Bomber Bezels now available: We have added 3-3/8 and 4-3/8 speedos and quad gauges in black and white: Speedo and dual gauge packages in 3-3/8 and 4-3/8 speedos As always, Made in Detroit with our 5-year warranty! Mark
Almost forgot to show off our new shop vehicle. On its way from Oregon right now, a 61 Lark Wagon. 259, auto, turner discs, sway bars, solid car and a good runner, should be fun on Woodward this summer! Mark
Finally! someone who realises that anyone with an ounce of design sense does not want some stupid font-challenged gauge makers idea of a good time staring them in the face whilst driving! Kudos to you. even though you seemed suprised its your best seller..OF COURSE it is. Modern gauges are the ruination of thousands of otherwise half decent rods the world over. maybe this will set a trend back to nice simple gauges! Can you tell this hits a nerve with me?
Yes, we have been very successful in designing styles that fit periods, the 1940s are a great alternative for a traditional build, our Woodwards are great for a resto-rod or street rod, 67s, 69s perfect for 60s cars, Performance and Redline for pro-touring etc. It all comes down to the theme of the vehicle. I don't have anything against modern gauges, they just belong in a modern car! It all comes down to having a theme when building a vehicle and selecting parts/colors, etc that match that theme, we try to guide customers to whats right for their build. Mark
Mark, the gauges are nice and they don't have a big Nike style brand name across them like most products do. I hate advertizing other peoples products so your gauges fit at least part of my criteria. Of all the retro gauges that companies make, none make a gauge with the old style crescent moon needles that really were a part of the 30's and 40's. I can't understand why? The needle is an integral part of any retro style gauge and yet most seem to think that they can make/sell retro gauges based on the face/bezel alone. My personnel opinion is that if a company really wanted to have a hit in a retro gauge they would do well to find a retro needle instead of the generic needle they use on the rest of their line of gauges. Is there a reason that the needle is not made more attractive or more authentic to a 30's 40's gauge? Is is extra cost? I realize that the cresecnt needles of the 30's are much more delicate and may effect production but? I for one would love to see a nice looking gauge (yours are) with a proper era needle. imho, Dodge (a**** others) had it right.... 33 Dodge 33 Plymouth (with Ford lettering added) Thanks for your time. moe
The pointers on this style are not really supposed to be crescent moon, but they could be though. On this version, we went with the military style on our 1940 series, these are a very close duplicate of the instruments used during WWII. We took the dial and pointer design form blueprints the government issued to instrument manufacturers in 1939 and applied them over our movement patterns, and the pointer was very close, so we have a period styled instrument set that is very reminiscent of those gauges in particular. In fact, we still use the same font and pointers on military products today. SW and some of the OEs used crescent pointers, but the majority used straight pointers. So, in essence both are correct, again it all comes down to the theme. There are a few aftermarket players out there that do crescent moon pointers and we wanted to go down a different route and do something that is nice, period, familiar and different all at the same time. Mark
We were also looking at building these with a stepped bezel and flat gl*** of a more authentic look, what do you think? I know the stepped bezel and flat lens is more authentic, but the domed lenses really look good on these. Mark
Is there any copyright issues that would prevent making exact duplicates of old, long out of production S-W gauges, including the logo? Even if "REPLICA" was stamped into the steel in big letters on the back to keep unscrupulous swap meet venders from p***ing them of as originals.
Thanks guys, as I said, this line has become quite popular. Its different and familiar at the same time. Mark
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