Stewart Warner survey speedo .. Any info?

just got this beautiful speedo off eBay , was owned by an old guy who used it as an additional speedo in various rally cars , and he also had a ford dealership in south Australia . It looks to me like the date code is X7 which would be July 1954 . Does this seem right? The speedo looks older to me, but is in amazing condition. wondered if anyone knew what a survey speedo was for and what vehicles used them?

 

back to page four in three hours..damn..this thing scoots on a sunday evening.

 

I'd trust that date code. I think SW was making them for quite a while before that, but must have found no reason to change the design. Maybe they were using up all the mid-30's Ford speedo needles on the survey speedos?

I understand them to be made for industrial equipment that required accurate road measuring. Like paving or maintenance equipment, or maybe some type of highway patrol use.

I've had a few over the years, but never used one yet. I have put one into a '32 pickup dash, but that dash is still on the shelf. Your's looks like a clean one.

 

Don't know anything about it...but I do know that I like it. I'll have to keep my eyes peeled for one. How do they compare in size to a stock 32 speedo?

Neal

 

I'd have to dig one out for an accurate measurement, but they are real close to '33 Ford size, not '32. Or maybe it's '37-'38ish. The bezel is probably leftover Ford parts as well.

 

threads like this get bumped to page 4 while the *****fest about people who put "Do Not Touch" signs in there cars at shows hasn't left page one for 3 days.

cool speedo.

 

there's no drama in Speedo's

 

How about the drama when you "peg" one?

Moreso on the 160 MPH models than the 90 MPH survey speedo.

 

I'd have to agree.

 

much bigger than a 32 speedo neal, outside of bezel is 4-5/8".

I thought about swapping it into my 32 dash, but as the picture shows...wont fit!

 

Did you consider the possibly they might have been used by land surveyors?

 

why yes dug ,I did.
Perhaps I should have said, can anyone expand on the uses of said instrument.
Pedant.

 

Interesting. Would definitely like to know more!

 

Can't say I've ever heard of a surveyor using a survey speedo as a way of measuring. Too many variables un-acountable for especially considering most surveyors were responsible for creating where the road reserve is. They originally used Steel chains and steel bands for measuring with a slope, sag/catenary and atmospheric (temp) correction applied.

They may have been used for road length and placement of marker posts for road maps.....

 

Ive got one too, i'm curious on their usage

 

From 1968 Stewart Warner catalogue-
SURVEY SPEEDOMETER MODEL NO 585-D
For measuring speed and distance where great accuracy is required.Used by power companies to space poles,equipment depots, etc;by car- testing laboratories for testing accuracy of car speedometers and to measure gas mileage;by sports car officials for laying out rally courses.Four inch face dial has black back-ground,white numerals and pointer.Chrome bezel.Indicates speeds up to 90 MPH in tenths.Shaft connection is straight-out with 3/4"-20 internal thread.When used in place of original speedometer,use flexible shaft of proper length with 3/4"-20 external thread at upper end and lower end same as original shaft.

ps I'm the guy from Perth that bought the green 31 coupe that was in your shop.

pps you can download the SW catalogues from Gilmore Global Instruments.

 

can't help with any info, BUT I WANT THAT GAUGE. TOO COOL!

-danny

 

I work with land surveyors, and know that no self respecting surveyor would use this gauge in their profession. Their work requires much (much!) greater accuracy than this could provide, and did back when the gauge was new too. And I bet half of them could "eyeball" a distance closer than this gauge could measure. For real!

But, if any of them were hotrodders, I'd bet they would love this gauge for their car.

 

Not to rob the thread but I have one for sale with 36 miles on it slightly faded.... $250+shipping in the US

 

Here's the page from a 1960 "Book of Profits", the SW dealer catalog.


.

 

I have had one since the 1970s'. Used it in my TSD(time speed distance) rally cars.
You will need a correction gearbox to hook up to it if the revs per mile don't match your car.
Nick

 

Thanks alchemy!
I find it really interesting that despite all the fashions in instrument design during the three decades these things were made, they just left them in a simple late thirties design, brings wieght to the saying.."if it aint broke..dont fix it."

 

I just got one of these that was installed in a late 1950 Electric car, I guess to estimate battery mileage better.

It also had a Stewart Warner gear ratio unit mounted to the back. Model 777 F ration 1/1.323

 

great information, I'm now on the hunt for one of these for my 35 Ford