VVC Instruments

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Veteran, Vintage and Classic Automotive Instrument Repairs, Restoration and Calibration
- Speedometer
- Tachometer
- Fuel Gauges
- Ammeter
- Clocks
- Oil and Water Temperature Gauges
Contact us with your specific instrument needs!

I've now done two sets of instruments from 1936 Cords. These would have to have the most flamboyant dashboards you've ev...
22/06/2026

I've now done two sets of instruments from 1936 Cords. These would have to have the most flamboyant dashboards you've ever seen, neatly arranged on an engine-turned panel that clearly had inspiration from aircraft controls! The instruments are quite distinctive, the design was even patented by Gordon Buehrig (US patent 2,101,235).
The set seen in the photo are (top row) speedo, tacho, oil pressure, clock; and (bottom row) temp gauge (not installed yet), fuel gauge (and oil level if you press a button!), amps gauge and radio tuner.
One of the Cords comes from the Gold Coast Motor Museum. I'm not sure if it's restored and on display yet but the museum is well worth a visit anyway.

I'll be at the Shepparton Swap Meet next Sunday 14th September in the big shed, site E26, if you'd like to catch up. It'...
07/09/2025

I'll be at the Shepparton Swap Meet next Sunday 14th September in the big shed, site E26, if you'd like to catch up. It's always a good show, with about 650 sites. Weather's looking good too.

You might not know that the 2025 Peking to Paris Motor Challenge is in progress. It is a 14,500km trek across 12 countri...
16/06/2025

You might not know that the 2025 Peking to Paris Motor Challenge is in progress. It is a 14,500km trek across 12 countries, having started on 17 May and is due to finish on 22 June.
The oldest car in the 55-car field is a 1917 American LaFrance type 12 roadster. It is powered by a 14.5-litre 6-cylinder engine and was originally a fire engine at Reno, Nevada.
I did some restoration and calibration work on its governor-type instruments a few years ago:
- a 60mph Jones speedometer
- an 1800rpm Reliance tachometer, by Barbour Stockwell Co
Note that the "odometer" on the tacho actually counted engine revs.
I hope they survive the trip!

I've recently serviced a beautiful Jones governor speedometer from the 1910s. It was in good condition and only needed a...
19/01/2025

I've recently serviced a beautiful Jones governor speedometer from the 1910s. It was in good condition and only needed a check-over and some lubrication to free up the tripmeter reset mechanism. Not sure exactly what year but the face quotes a 1909 patent date. You can see the doughnut-shaped weight that spins around the centre shaft. As it spins faster, it moves to be more horizontal. This pulls a sliding collar up, rotating the needle.

Some instruments are vulnerable to problems that most won't have. This AC speedo from a 1939 Vauxhall was not working co...
17/05/2024

Some instruments are vulnerable to problems that most won't have. This AC speedo from a 1939 Vauxhall was not working correctly, with the needle stopping at a speed while the car was changing speed. The problem turned out to be with the plastic face. It had split between the three holes in it and the sides warped upwards, touching the back of the needle centre. A clamp and some very gentle heat solved the problem, at least for a while.

I've had a run of governor speedos recently. I just finished one from a Wolseley Hornet special, leaving three to do (th...
29/01/2023

I've had a run of governor speedos recently. I just finished one from a Wolseley Hornet special, leaving three to do (the one on the left is for parts). Will need a new face for the 80mph LN - it's supposed to be cream.

I recently finished repairing and calibrating a Parent "Telegauge", a fuel gauge mounted on the tank of a 1925 Rolls-Roy...
21/07/2021

I recently finished repairing and calibrating a Parent "Telegauge", a fuel gauge mounted on the tank of a 1925 Rolls-Royce Phantom I roadster. It came to the owner and then to me disassembled (pic 1), but the owner sent me some pages from the workshop manual to help. The tank float rotates a shaft which has a magnet attached to it in the in-tank unit (pic 2). This rotates the gauge pointer in a separate outer unit. This means there is no physical connection through the tank wall, so no chance of leaks, etc. The in-tank unit had been assembled incorrectly, with the magnet attached the wrong way round. To make up for this, I demagnetised the gauge pointer and then remagnetised it the other way around (pic 3). Having a Smiths Calibrator makes that an easy job. The pointer rotates in glycerine to smooth its movement and prevent rust (pic 5). It's a very classy looking gauge (and roadster).

This is a "humpback" governor tachometer from a 1935 Lagonda M45 Rapide, which had stopped working. It works on a centri...
13/07/2020

This is a "humpback" governor tachometer from a 1935 Lagonda M45 Rapide, which had stopped working. It works on a centrifugal system - the weights attached to the main shaft move out as it spins faster. This pulls the collar at the top downwards. This then turns a lever which rotates the needle. Part of the problem in this case was the cast body had warped over time and the dial face was occasionally touching the base of the needle.

Have spent a lot of time recently getting my new workshop set up. All the equipment is now in and ready to go.
20/05/2020

Have spent a lot of time recently getting my new workshop set up. All the equipment is now in and ready to go.

This is an AC tachometer from a 1962 Vauxhall VX4/90, the hotter version of the FB Series Vauxhall Victor. A very smart ...
22/01/2020

This is an AC tachometer from a 1962 Vauxhall VX4/90, the hotter version of the FB Series Vauxhall Victor. A very smart looking tacho that only needed an internal clean and calibration check.

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