Lets see some Auburn dash panels!

Just picked up a '50s aluminum copy of an Auburn instrument panel and need some pics of how they were set up in the '30 and '40s. Any pics or history on their use would be great. Thanks,
-Dean

 

Check out the gallery and vintage pics at:

www.knechtequipment.com

Karl Knecht is in my hometown and I have seen his dash panels in person (I bought a couple of Model T fenders from him and got to see his shop). He makes a beautiful panel that will really make a car look like one of the "high dollar" hot rods from back in the day. You'll notice that George Poteet bought one, so you know that they are a quality product...

Hope this helps!

 

If it us a Knecht, you do know that they are scaled down?
Never heard of a '32 Auburn aluminium repro made in the 50's.

Although I'm really impressed with the quality of the Knecht panel I have never got why he made it smaller.

Maybe it has to do with the fact that the big Stewart Warner curved gl***, back mount gauges, that are required for the Auburn panel goes for $200-$500 a piece on ebay. If we are talking about the '32 Ford application, an original size Auburn will not fit a Ford '32 dash.
You either use the sheetmetal from the Auburn as well, or make new bottom part for the '32.

No pics in this computer though...

 

Pretty sure its not a Knecht. I can get some pics later. It h***n't been drilled yet for the ignition, choke, lights etc...As far as size goes, it'll just barely fit on my 'A dash.
-Dean

 

I wish I would have carried my camera last weekend. There was a 32 Auburn Boattail Speedster parked right next to me at a car show.
The dash panel does look too big to use in anything else. Took up all of the front cowl of the speedster.

 

Kind of off topic, but not really. I just got a haircut from a new gal and in our discussions she mentions that her father used to restore Auburns! She said her pops could probably get a full original dash panel complete with gauges if I wanted! I know it will be PRICEY, but it is original Auburn! I am thinking the 29 is coming together, slowly but surely. If anybody is interested I can see if he can get more than one.

 

I think you will find interest for as many as you can dig up...
I have remnants of two clusters and two dashes--the dashes look like they were designed for retrofit into Fords, really neat design, and nothing could be more perfect than the basic cluster...Mine will have a mix of original and more modern gauges unless I start getting luckier at the swaps.
One of mine has no gauges at all--I bought it at Hershey MANY years ago for $15, because the perfect complete one the same guy had was FAR beyond my finances at $75...I'd guess just the oil pressure gauge would cost several times that now.

 

I figured as much. I know I scour the swaps for Auburn panels and haven't seen any in quite a while, I will keep you all posted with any updates.

 

the Knecht version is scaled down think it even says so on their webpage, ahwell just as Mr. T said up there...

anyhow so-cal speedshop sells a simular one as knecht, not same style on the machined insert though but anyhow how do they go in size, are they the same size?

have anyone bought the panels that show up on ebay that are made in mexico? what are they copys of? the so-cal version?

i got an 32 style dash for model a 1930 in gl*** that has an auburn style dash integrated into the dasy and an loose engine turned insert... won't use it though as i don't like gl*** stuff on cars, ahwell not my hotrods atleast, heck i wouldnt mind a gl*** front clip for my stude but thats something else, anyhow...

 

Not to hijack but I noticed one of this month's magazines has a pic of an "Auburn styled" dash in it. I looked at it and it occurs to me it looks a lot more like the dash cluster in a '67-'72 Chevy/GMC pickup. Which is a lot cheaper and easier to find.... food for thought -

 

Yes the Knecht version is scaled down so it will fit on a '32 style dash. They tell you on the web site it will fit on a Brookville '32 style dash for the '29 body.

The So-Cal Speedshop version is cast aluminium just like the Knecht. The So-Cal version is the same size as the original Auburn dash. That's right from Dave at So-Cal-AZ. They have them is stock with the engine-turned panels to fit. The So-Cal version will NOT fit a '32 dash. I tried it myself last Friday at So-Cal-AZ. If you want to have a So-Cal Auburn dash fit a stock or repo '32 dash, you'll have to modify the '32 dash.

I'm going to use a repo Auburn dash in my '29 RPU, I just haven't decided which to use, the Knecht or the So-Cal.

 

Short version is that and original auburn insert is too wide to fit in the original deuce dash panel. The new copies/versions are scaled down so that they will fit in original 1932 dash panels. End result is that they are not exact reproductions but look *****in' .

 

Anyone know what the original's dimensions are? Mine will just BARELY fit into an 'A dash. Thanks,
-Dean

 

AZAV8

thanx for the answer..

Coool,. and the so-cal version is cheaper then knecht and seem to look good enough,

 

Dean .. I measured my Auburn insert , it is 18" Wide / 7 5/16" Tall .

 

...and ill be right there to steal it yeah, actually, post something when you find out what he wants for one, id be interested to know

 

and the knecht is
Outer dimensions 14 3/4" X 5 7/8".

 

To ad a bit more : To make a "real" Auburn-insert complete , you will need 5 "Back-mount" SW-gauges . As follows : 2 gauges 2 3/8" , 2 gauges 2 5/8" & a Speedo ( Or RPM ) 3 1/2" ... Some of the gauges that comes with these measurments are "dual-purpose" : like "Oil-temp & Fuel-level" in one .
Some AC-gauges ( Cheaper ) will fit & look right ( Early 30s` GM ..And probaly more )
You can also use four 2-5/8" Smoothbezels & a 3 1/2" SW-speedo, and the result would be fine lookin` period perfect ! ( ca `50 , that is )
Addi-info :
www.roadsters.com

Klaz

BTW .. Please be serious when you choose gauges or gauge-panels for your "Early-style" Hot Rod ....

 

yes sadly any of the new nostalgic look gauges really look old enough...

i wish atleast they made Km graded speedos, is there anyone making oldschool looking km gradet speedos?
mph isnt really what we use here in most parts of europe...

 

Wouldn't it work to get a regular MPH speedo and then order a ratio adapter box to drive it about 60% of normal rate?? SW ratio adapters are little gear boxes with numerous gear choices available used to correct speedo readings. I think I can still find a website with computation system and ordering info.
Me, I'd love to find a metric '32 Ford (or Auburn!) speedo...

 

Bruce ... A Metric `32 gauge ?? ..., well, I sold one to Av8-rider .... He probably could help you out with that one .....
BTW .. Pshyco .. 60Mph is like 96Kph ... 40Mph is close to 64Kph ....
Most `32-`36 fords Sold new in Norway had Mph-speedometers .What went wrong in Sweden ?

 

Metric Auburn, at least I think so.

Never seen 160MPH one so I suppose it's a 100MPH with metric scale =160km/h

 

NOS

Look close this is a boat dash

 

Tunglegubbin ... That would be a Sensation Are you sure that gauge aint a "Fake" ...?? As far as I could find out ,only 2 early 30s` Auburns ( 100s ) was sold new in Norway , and both have MPH-gauges --- Where did you find that gauge ? What did the seller tell you about it ??

 

Pretty sure, it sat in my '32 Hupmobile dash when I found it.

If it's fake, someone went through an awful lot of trouble to make it look old, and still charge $20 for the whole lot.

 

Thanx tungle.. , I know **** about Hupmobiles ( better try learn a-bit )
You said :" Metric Auburn, at least I think so." , ......

 

OK, so how do you tell a Stewart Warner from a Hupmobile from an Auburn? ;-)

 

usually the auburn one is inside an auburn and the hupmobile one is in a hupmobile, usually but sometimes they put hupmobile dashes inside auburns and then it get really confusing don't bother me i'm just ********ting

 

"OK, so how do you tell a Stewart Warner from a Hupmobile from an Auburn? ;-)"


Stewart Warner obviously sold their gauges to many car- manufacturers`. A gauge found in a Hupmobile is NOT an Auburn gauge .. Easy as that

 

stewart warner panel. not mine.