The dash

In the Dark Winter months (before the build starts in the springtime), my mind is working overtime on loads of ideas for the car. Here are my ideas, plans & eventual layout of the dash.

The Speedometer.   Many thoughts here, including..

1. Using the original 2CV speedo/fuel gauge (for simplicity)
2. New conventional instruments
3. DIY Electronic LED speedo & LED Bargraph Rev counter
4. LCD [Acewell] -  (see below) all in one unit

Using the original 2CV instruments is easy, but i dont like the look, so thats out!
New Gauges are sensible, reliable, but expensive. Going the DIY LED route appeals to me, but will be time consuming, & maybe more difficult to obtain a professional finish. So, using something like this..

..the Acewell 2859, solves all (speedo, Tacho, fuel, clock, tell-tale lights etc).  - Maybe not in the style of a 1920's Roadster, but i like it.  I may still go with this option.

However, because i like trying to do things the hard way (the best way), i'm going to try and combine two trains of thought.. simplicity & economy. i will try to build a new gauge out of an old Jag XJ6 Speedo, using the mechanisms from the original 2cv speedo.

 Original 2cv speedo

 Easy to disassemble

 All appears to be good

Dyane Gauge

This Jaeger unit is slimmer than the 2CV item, so may be ideal to fit into the XJ case, along with the 2Cv fuel gauge. I may also try to fit in a home made LED Bargraph Rev counter too

The XJ6 speedo

Here are a couple of ideas i've drawn for a speedo dial

More ideas soon !

26/May/2014

Going ahead with my "all in one" home made speedo/tacho/fuel gauge!
I'm using the speedo mechanism from the original 2CV unit, along with the fuel gauge, inside a Smiths Jaguar XJ6 speedo case.

Here is the first trial fit. I will also try and fit a home made LED rev counter inside too.
I will use the Smiths face, but re painted or with a  printed cover.  More soon..

Hi Folks.. I'm back !   12th November 2014..

Having second thoughts about the above, and am leaning towards a set of VDO Series 1 gauges, from US seller, eGauges.   They look great plus the speedo & tacho are completely programable to suit any car or engine

I have purchased a set of VDO Series one gauges (As a Christmas present) from eGauges in the USA.

I am using a Speedo, Tacho, Oil Temp & Fuel gauge.

They do look great. I will document the sensors required for the speedo later in the blog, i will probably use a Hall effect sensor. the Tacho picks up it's signal from the Alternator.

Early planning of the Dash layout