C-3 Speedometer

[Harmon C.]

I have a 160 MPH white numbers speedometer that also has 260KPH on it. The back plastic is blue. Was this used on export cars only? With my 72 basket case I also got a 160MPH with green numbers and tan plastic on the back. Both have 5300 red line tacks. What years are thease for? Lyle

[Joe L.]

Re: C-3 Speedometer

Lyle-----

Based upon your description of the white numeral speedometer, I'd say that it's a 1975-77. Beginning in 1975 Corvettes got speedos with metric system speed markings beneath the english system markings.

The very light green characters on the instrument faces were used only for 1968 through 71.

[Harmon C.]

Re: C-3 Speedometer

Joe Thanks for the reply. I was not sure when the 85MPH speedometer started and the dash it is in has a mechanical tack drive which ended in 74 but it may have been changed.I have all the TI&JM for thease years but they don't address the face of the speedomater. I would like some help from the great white north on what a 71 speedo looks like or is it the same as later years? Lyle

[Joe L.]

Re: C-3 Speedometer

Lyle----

The 85 MPH speedometer was used in Corvettes beginning in late 1979.

The 1971 speedometer is the same as 69-70. Installed in the car, it looks the same as a 1968 unit, too. The 72-74 speedos, installed in the car, look the same as the 68-71 units except for the color of the characters. 1975-76 added the metric units to the face.

[Michael W.]

Re: C-3 Speedometer

Lyle,

Our speedos in the pre-metric days were the same as the US versions, i.e. they indicated in MPH only. We started going metric only in 77 or 78 (I think), these were dual indication gauges. Cars today show KPH is large letters and MPH in small letters, the opposite of US cars.

[Harmon C.]

Re: C-3 Speedometer

Thanks Joe and Mike I now know what I need to search for at the next swap meet. I have learned that the white numbers have a blue plastic housing. The green ones have tan plastic and affects the backlight with the bulbs on.Lyle