VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1912-1928 1925 Speedometer

New for 1925 was an AC speedometer that had white numerals on a black background. When were the numerals changed to black with a white background?

Roger

Hi Roger
In 1927, the speedometer was redesigned with black letters on a white background.

Arvid

http://www.chevroletnorge.com

Arvid - That is what Ray Miller says in his Chevrolet: Coming of Age book, but he's a F@rd guy and his book skips 1926. I have seen plenty of the black numerals on white on all 1926s and most 1925s. I don't believe this was a 1927 innovation.

Roger

Roger my series "K" parts list , effective Jan. 1,1926 shows A.C. Spark Plug and Stewart Warner Corporation as acessories suppliers of speedometers for Chevrolet. The change in back ground from black on white to white on black may be as simple as just two different suppliers. You won't find the speedometer in the Chevy parts book. Just speedo drive gears.

Down here in Aus. all speedos from 490 to 29 had black on white and I believe they were all imported from US due to brands AC and Stewart Warner. I believe that the white on black belong to other GM cars
Chris

Thanks Chris - maybe you have something with the white on black belonging to other GM cars, or other makes.

I have a working speedometer that I could switch numbers, if I knew how to change the little drums.

Maybe someone here knows a rebuilder? I have quite a few jars containing new odometer drums.

Roger

Hi Guys,
The 25 -26 Chevy speedo also was used in the 26 Buick.The number colors could be the difference.I found that out when I sold one on eBay tinsmith_ray

Roger I'm currently reading a book called ...Chevrolet...The Coming of Age..1911-1942...By Ray Miller. It states that the speedometer was redesigned in 1927 with black letters on a white background.

Hi Steve,
That book was written by a F*RD guy and that statement can't be true. It may have been redesigned in 1927, but the picture of the speedometer in the 1925 showroom catalog shows the numerals black on white. I have been told however the features dipicted in the showroom catalogs are from the previous year. Since my only working speedometer is white on a black face, that will be the one I will use. Thanks for the follow-up.
Roger

Keep in mind that there are a lot of errors in the book "Chevrolet.....The Coming Of Age" by Ray Miller. Unfortunately, over the years many of the errors in the book have become "gospel".

:( :o :cry:

So, what is correct for 1925? Even my showroom 3-ring binder has both; black numerals on white background and white numerals on black background. The drawings show black on white, but the photos show the opposite and match the photo of the speedometer on page 81 of Ray Miller's book, which is of a 1925 roadster from an old time VCCA member, Fred Upshaw.

Roger