VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1937-1945 1938 Master Instrument Cluster

Tiny,

You've got a good eye. They are 6.50 x 16 rather than the normal 6.00 x 16. I had a very nice set of wide whites, so I thought I'd try them. They clear the wheel wells just fine. I realize they make my speedo read slower than it really is.

Jim

IMHO, your tires look good (although not "correct"). 'Brings back memories. In "the day", we always ran at least one size larger than stock and many times, two sizes on the rear.

My '47 coupe sat on 4 new 6.70X15 Fisk WSW (1954/5). I was proud of those Fisk tires, as I paid for 'em by-the-week.

You have a beautiful Chevy!

Say, I've followed this thread and started wondering about my 38 instrument cluster. The one in the car is faded, and I'm skeptical of the accuracy of the gauges, so I bought one a while back. Here's a photo:
http://s1236.beta.photobucket.com/u...?&_suid=1359933154299061561626985096
Does that one look right?

Looks a little bit more yellow than mine.

Yours look much larger than mine.My radials are suppose to be a 600-16 replacement but are a little larger than 600-16.

For comparison, here is a picture of a '38 Master Deluxe instrument cluster. It is so faded that the white lettering & numbers (which are attached to the rear of the glass on a MD) are invisible unless viewed from a certain angle. The MD gauges have no numbers or lettering on them. The cluster was made by AC Spark Plug Co, stamped on the back. It couldn't have been a white background since the white lettering on the MD glass would not show then. My guess is the background should be like the restoration of jmmmn37, same as the dash color scheme. Also note the shape of the gauges openings on the MD panel are narrow rectangles while the Master gauge openings are nearly squares. The Master temp gauge was an accessory.

What would be rare is the Temp. delete plate. I've never seen one.

If I was smart enough to post photos I'd show you...my cluster has the delete..Billu38

email to me..I'll do it for you. I'd like to see one.

wawuzit@comcast.net

Steve, pull up item 221137832967 in Ebay, 1938 Chevy...it's in the lower right hand corner....wrong place for temp delete plate but that's what it looks like,..Billu38

Steve, there's even a better, more correct example in E-bay..item 121060276997..Billu38

I see it. That's a first. Thanks.

Here you go.

I posted some pictures of a 1938 Master Deluxe instrument panel that has been partially dis-assembled for restoration in the members photos section. Please note the original instrument panel color which is still in very nice not faded condition. Hope this helps for reference purposes.

In answer to Bill's original question I also have a nice 1938 Master instrument cluster and the face plate is the same color as the Master Deluxe. The instrument cut outs are of course different as are the front piece.

Hate to bump such an old topic, but am looking for the font type that is in Gas, temp, and the numbers. Does any one know what it may be?

Welcome!!

I spent a few weeks searching, and the closest font I could find was too different to be useful. You can make the fonts on a computer and print, but you still have to deal with the angled placement.

Life will be a lot easier for you if you go to fillingstation.com and get the SY-2 face & FC-38 decals. The $46 is worth every penny in time & money, and still a lot less than the $300-$800 many places want for a full restoration.

I think I made a post in my '38 restoration thread about what colors to buy, etc for the other internal parts.


Here's a static display I made using the glass & decals to give you an idea of how nice the details are.

Thanks for getting back to me so fast! That does look really nice! Thanks for info! Really appreciate it!