Illumination of C1 Gauge Needle/Pointers

[David V.]

I have a 58 Fuel/Temp gauge cluster & the needle/pointers do not illuminate. After looking at other fuel/temp & batt/oil clusters I have noticed that it appears that most of the needles/pointers have been "twisted/bent" slightly so that in looking straight on at the pointer you see the side/edge of the pointer instead of the face/flat part of the pointer. Is this "factory/original" & was it done that way so that the pointers would be illuminated at night by reflected light? I'm theorizing that someone may have bent/twisted the pointers in my 58 fuel/temp gauge pod to lay flat instead of twisted as was original. Is my theory nuts?

[Ken A.]

Re: Illumination of C1 Gauge Needle/Pointers

Yes bad theory, They are supposed to look flat.

[David D.]

Re: Illumination of C1 Gauge Needle/Pointers

Dave -

I'm assuming the bulb is good?

[David V.]

Re: Illumination of C1 Gauge Needle/Pointers

Dave -

I'm assuming the bulb is good?

Yes. The gauge is lit up by the bulb, but the pointer is not illiuminated. I suppose their could be another issue of sorts explaining why the pointers are appearing dark and invisible while the rest of the gauge pod is lit by the bulb. I will go back & double check things. Thanks for the replies.

[Tom P.]

Re: Illumination of C1 Gauge Needle/Pointers

I believe the gauges in the 56 are the original gauges.
All four needles are bent in opposing directions in each pair.

[Bob H.]

Re: Illumination of C1 Gauge Needle/Pointers

could it be the wrong bulb being used?

Bob

[David V.]

Re: Illumination of C1 Gauge Needle/Pointers

Thanks Tom & Bob. I'll check the bulb to see if it's correct.

[Tom P.]

Re: Illumination of C1 Gauge Needle/Pointers

I couldn't get a really good enough picture of the needles, either with or without the flash. But in the picture without flash, it is slightly easier to see how the needles of the gauge pair are bent at slight angles facing eavh other.

[David V.]

Re: Illumination of C1 Gauge Needle/Pointers

Thanks for going to all that effort Tom. I double checked the bulb & it is the correct size & it works. Anybody else here want to chime in on this one? Is my theory nuts or were the needles indeed bent ORIGINALLY slighly from "flat" so the needles would illuminate? Is that a 57 you've got there Tom? Looks nice.

[Tom P.]

Re: Illumination of C1 Gauge Needle/Pointers

It's a 56 with a red/black interior.
It has a 30yr old Al Knoch interior with a "correct" (1958) Daytona weave black carpet cut and stitched by Al Knock in the same pattern as the 56-7 carpet (which was also Daytona weave). As we speak, I now have new seat covers and foam pads from AK waiting to be installed (after 30yrs of use, the ones in the car are showing their age).
My theme for the interior colors comes from my favorite 57 Chevy Bel Air with a red exterior and the red/black interior which was available for 57 Chevys.

[Stewart A.]

Re: Illumination of C1 Gauge Needle/Pointers

November 59 build. My 1960 Corvette has flat needles ? Stewy

[Tom P.]

Re: Illumination of C1 Gauge Needle/Pointers

November 59 build. My 1960 Corvette has flat needles ? Stewy

That's correct. The needles changed and became more tapered.

[David V.]

Re: Illumination of C1 Gauge Needle/Pointers

I've always been partial to red & black color combos too Tom. A black 57 tudor hardtop or Nomad with Black ext. & Red & Blk int. is sharp too. Your 56 looks good. I would still like to hear from others on the needle theory I offered on 56 to 58 gauges. I guess I could always "tweak" the needles on the gauges I've got to test my theory. Any gauge experts like Corvette Roger out there who want to jump in on this one? BTW Hey Tom is that a parking brake jewel I see under the dash cause of your steering mounted tach? Are you growing tired of the "patina" of your old seat covers?

[Tom P.]

Re: Illumination of C1 Gauge Needle/Pointers

Yep, that's the parking brake light mounted under the dash. With the 57 style column mounted tach (ala 579E, or D as I prefer), the cable goes through the hole for the parking brake light. So, I made a stainless bracket, mounted it under the dash as well as installed a red LED and off/on push button switch for the elec fan in front of the radiator.
And ya, I'm ready for new seat covers to replace the cracked ones in the car. Plus, the foam pads are breaking down.

[Roger W.]

Re: Illumination of C1 Gauge Needle/Pointers

I just got around to checking the gauges on my 59. The needles are not flat. There is a visable bend to them.