Author Topic: What do you guys think about these gauges? (Read 1251 times)

tarafied1 · « **on:** December, 30, 2010, 09:27:11 PM »

The ALL AMERICAN series look pretty cool

http://www.classicinstruments.com/index.aspx?documentID=mustanginformation

Havok1 · « **Reply #1 on:** December, 30, 2010, 10:14:58 PM »

I like the look of the American. I clean gauge while adding a little something. Wish they made a bolt in for the 65-66.

Horseplay · « **Reply #2 on:** December, 31, 2010, 05:37:56 AM »

I went with Classic for my gauges and am not disappointed. Their stuff is top notch. The American is a nice series much like the Muscle line from Autometer. If that retro look is what you want I vote for the Classic gauges. EVERYBODY is using the Muscle gauges these days.

guruatbol · « **Reply #3 on:** December, 31, 2010, 08:06:07 AM »

I have Julio's (JME) gauges in both my cars. His stuff is super high quality. I would not use these sets, since I have no experience with them.

I can not say enough good about JME, he did the Cobalts in the 65 in his billitt dash bezel. Awesome work. He stands behind his work too. If I have any issues even with the 67 which has had his sets since 2003, he will help anytime I need it. I have never needed it because he did it right the first time.

I have known people that have gone with the other guys sets and took them out and got JME gauges.

The continuation Shelby E cars have JME gauges in them.

Mel

monkeystash · « **Reply #4 on:** December, 31, 2010, 08:22:02 AM »

I think the All American series are just okay. They are nice looking, but seem more fitting for a custom rod or a boat. YMMV.

Horseplay · « **Reply #5 on:** December, 31, 2010, 09:35:33 AM »

For those of you not familiar with Classic, this is not a second rate manufacturer, rather very far from it. They are U.S. based and made. If you take a look at the dashes of some of the finest street rods($$$)in the country you will find their stuff. Like I wrote earlier, if you want something distinctive, this is one of the best places to look. If quality and support are concerns you can relax as well. They have a great warranty and tech support people, should you ever need them.

67 Fastback · « **Reply #6 on:** December, 31, 2010, 10:07:50 AM »

Are the speedo's 3 1/8 and the smaller gauges 2 1/6 for the 67's?
Bill

cmayna · « **Reply #7 on:** December, 31, 2010, 10:31:20 AM »

For a very nice street rod or something similar, I could see using those gauges. Just can't see them in a Mustang unless it is super modified.

tarafied1 · « **Reply #8 on:** December, 31, 2010, 01:48:09 PM »

thanks for the feedback guys.
Craig, would you consider my red 67 to be "super modified"?
I can't afford them right now but I saw them in a cool 67 Shelby clone and thought they were pretty neet. I just have stock gauges now which look okay but are not very accurate.

mustangstofear · « **Reply #9 on:** January, 01, 2011, 06:12:26 AM »

I think they look pretty cool. I might try something different on our next build. I like classic Instruments because they were willing to put our LOGO on them, couldn't get Autometer to do it for no amount of money. We do offer both. Rich.

Jonk67 · « **Reply #10 on:** January, 01, 2011, 11:16:37 AM »

I think that silver speedo in your pic looks good (silver w/deluxe alum. dash might be a bit much silver) but it's too small (3 1/8"?) for the dash pod, wonder why they didn't use the 5" as shown on their website? I'm not too crazy about a hash mark every 10mph either (20 - 40), I monitor my speed closer than that.
They're way out of price range for me at $1300/set, I know they come with the dash but still too rich for my blood. I'll keep parusing fleabay and picking up one gauge at a time and do it when I've got them all.

It's hard to find a classic looking speedo and tach (8K) that doesn't have someones name or logo splashed across it, I would like to upgrade to all new gauges but want them to look stock but give me accurate/ more info.
Jon

daveSanborn · « **Reply #11 on:** January, 04, 2011, 02:57:38 PM »

The quality of the Classic Industries gauges is IMO the standard to which all other gauge's should be measured. This is not to say that JME, Autometer, or (gulp) Stewart Warner gauges don't have their place, they all do, it's just below Classic Industries.

guruatbol · « **Reply #12 on:** January, 04, 2011, 08:46:43 PM »

Quote from: daveSanborn on January, 04, 2011, 02:57:38 PM

The quality of the Classic Industries gauges is IMO the standard to which all other gauge's should be measured. This is not to say that JME, Autometer, or (gulp) Stewart Warner gauges don't have their place, they all do, it's just below Classic Industries.

I disagree!

Mel

70_Fastback · « **Reply #13 on:** January, 05, 2011, 12:21:33 PM »

Quote from: guruatbol on January, 04, 2011, 08:46:43 PM

I disagree!

Mel

...and why?

guruatbol · « **Reply #14 on:** January, 05, 2011, 01:47:20 PM »

I don't believe that Classic gauges are any better or set any standard. It is no secret I use JME in both cars, and I find the quality and standard setting to be as good or better than Classic. I am not saying that Classic is bad or not as good, just that they do not set any standard for any other set to be judged by!

JME for the 67 used the backing from a stock cluster and made the wiring plug right into my stock harness. The workmanship of this cluster is above reproach and sets a standard all by itself.

So, I disagree with Dave when he says that Classic sets the standard because I believe that they don't and neither does JME, but that they are both good. It is kind of a Ford and Chevy thing.

Mel

daveSanborn · « **Reply #15 on:** January, 06, 2011, 05:08:19 AM »

How many sets of Classic Industries gauge clusters have you owned Mel? I'm not saying that JME's product is junk. It's a quality product, but having owned/used both, the Classic Industries gauges are at a higher level.

Horseplay · « **Reply #16 on:** January, 06, 2011, 06:04:21 AM »

Like Dave, I have owned and used gauges from Autometer, SW, Classic and others and have found the Classic units to be top quality. Re-reading Mel's posts I think some clarification is needed. First off, I don't think JME makes any gauges but rather uses Autometer products in the clusters they sell. This point in mind, I think Mel is writing more about the cluster unit itself rather than the gauges as individual items. I've never owned a 67/68 but I do know there are some inferior clusters out there in the market. As I understand it, fitment is the main issue. I can't comment on whether JME or Classic's or any other cluster arrangement is better or worse than another as I have never used any. I don't think it beneficial/fair to comment on a product if one does not have firsthand experience.

Getting back to where this thread started, Craig simply wanted opinions on a set of Classic gauges he liked and was considering buying. Like I said earlier, they are a quality brand and would make a nice, unique addition to his car, in my opinion. Of course, I may be a bit biased....here's my set!

70_Fastback · « **Reply #17 on:** January, 06, 2011, 06:35:57 AM »

I think they look good HorsePlay!

tarafied1 · « **Reply #18 on:** January, 06, 2011, 06:57:06 AM »

those look real nice!

sgtjunior · « **Reply #19 on:** January, 06, 2011, 07:02:07 AM »

Quote from: tarafied1 on January, 06, 2011, 06:57:06 AM

those look real nice!

+1

B67FSTB · « **Reply #20 on:** January, 06, 2011, 07:55:53 AM »

Sorry , to be honest , not my taste.

But I am a foreigner and thereby have another kind of taste.

Although I love mustangs !! Bodyparts don't fit like european cars do but mustangs look alot better.!!!

tarafied1 · « **Reply #21 on:** January, 06, 2011, 08:08:09 AM »

so they don't appeal to European taste or just you specifically? I think they have a certain "Classic Hot Rod" look which is probably an American thing...

buening · « **Reply #22 on:** January, 06, 2011, 08:13:53 AM »

I dunno, no offense but I think they look like they belong in a 30's or 40's car and not a mustang. The style of the pointers and the font just screams hot rod and not muscle, but thats merely my opinion.

Are there any quality issues with SW Maximum Performance gauges? Other than being a bit more expensive than Autometer, I'm surprised they aren't used more. The lack of mechanical speedometer may affect the use in these cars though.

The black and silver face have both backlighting through the numbers as well as perimeter lighting. The white face only has perimeter lighting, although they aren't too bad

I have Autometer Phantom gauges in my console and hate the glowing ring around the gauges. Simply put, the lighting is on par with the stock factory gauges in my dash, which sucks IMO. I'm not sure if the Classic Instruments have backlighting or not, but may be something to consider.

The Speedhut gauges are also nice but I'm not a fan of the needles pointing straight down on all of the gauges. A bit too "ricer" for me, but I guess I can be a bit opinionated at times

tarafied1 · « **Reply #23 on:** January, 06, 2011, 08:24:08 AM »

I agree that they have a Hot Rod look, but that appeals to me. The others just look TOO modern IMO. I have "stock" or factory gauges with white faces and it looks good but I was looking for a more "retro" feel... also these are NOT very accurate.

buening · « **Reply #24 on:** January, 06, 2011, 08:33:18 AM »

I see what you are after. What about these below? Just a few more ideas I guess, they are mostly black-faced though

http://www.newvintageusa.com/1967.html

http://www.newvintageusa.com/1965.html

http://www.newvintageusa.com/redline.html