Gauges.

[Nelsen Motorsports]

First off, I will start by saying that my 54 needs new gauges. The Stewart Warners we have turned out to be the wrong size 2 5/8 and don't fit into the 2 1/16 holes. The Stewart Warners I am looking at are far too expensive and don't impress me much. I have been looking though and what has caught my eye is these Sunpro gauges which are inexpensive and have the "look" I need. http://www.sunpro.com/product_category.php?id=286These gauges have the retro look, but I can't decide between those and these http://www.sunpro.com/product_category.php?id=277 white faced gauges. So please feel free to give me your opinion on what gauges I should use and post pics of your dash. My car has a 57-61 Hawk dash that is candy apple red and I think either will look good. I am not committed to any particular brand or style other than the fact i am going for a retro look, besides my interior is all-out sixties with daimond pleat crush red velvet seats and the candy red dash.

Also I have my non-fitting gauges on ebay http://myworld.ebay.com/dnelsenrn

[sweetolbob]

Alex

As someone on the forum says, your money - your choice. However, because you asked, We didn't have no stinkin' white faced gauges when I was putting them in a couple of 50's cars that were a few years old in the late 50's and early 60's.

Bob

[johnod]

Black for sure.

[N8N]

I've used some of the cheap Sunpro gauges and they work, and they look good. However, the backlighting isn't much better than that of the stock Studebaker gauges. I have two Sunpros and one VDO gauge in my pickemup truck and the VDO is far easier to see at night (in fact, you might want to look at VDO, they have some black face gauges that would look good in a Studebaker.) Also, the bezels on the VDO gauges are a lot shinier than Sunpro. I would call the Sunpro "semi-polished" stainless while the VDO are nice and shiny.

nate

[JER]

I have been checking gauges also. I like the VDO series #1. Black Face for sure!

[Nelsen Motorsports]

I've used some of the cheap Sunpro gauges and they work, and they look good. However, the backlighting isn't much better than that of the stock Studebaker gauges. I have two Sunpros and one VDO gauge in my pickemup truck and the VDO is far easier to see at night (in fact, you might want to look at VDO, they have some black face gauges that would look good in a Studebaker.) Also, the bezels on the VDO gauges are a lot shinier than Sunpro. I would call the Sunpro "semi-polished" stainless while the VDO are nice and shiny.

nate

I just saw VDO has a 6 gauge kit for $290, looks real nice.

[ralt12]

These are Classic Instruments gauges I adapted to the '53's 4-pod setup, but look a lot like the Sun Pro's, so you can get the idea....

[johnod]

I just saw VDO has a 6 gauge kit for $290, looks real nice.

I'm using VDO s they work fine, they also are one of the few who have an electronic speedo, if you ever decide to run a T56 trans, thats handy.

[r1lark]

I vote for black face if you want retro. As someone else mentioned, those white face gauges weren't around in the '60s and '70s, at least not in my area.

[Nelsen Motorsports]

We just picked up a set of 6 SW gauges today in Perry and substituted a vacuum gauge for fuel level.