Illumination of C1 Gauge Needle/Pointers

[Stewart A.]

Re: Illumination of C1 Gauge Needle/Pointers

I just checked mine again. Mine has a rib in the center and look very straight. If they are bent is the bend clockwise. 1960 Stewy

[Tom P.]

Re: Illumination of C1 Gauge Needle/Pointers

If I'm not mistaken, 60 was when the needle shape changed. And those needles are in fact straight.
It's the 59-earlier needles that are bent. And in each pair of gauges Fuel-Temp/Oil-Bat, the bend of the needles face each other. Is that clear as mud?

[David V.]

Re: Illumination of C1 Gauge Needle/Pointers

Thanks again Tom. I'm going to go back & look at some of the other 57 & 58 gauge pods I have to confirm that the needles face each other in them & will report back on my findings.

[David V.]

Re: Illumination of C1 Gauge Needle/Pointers

I agree with Tom. His conclusion appears to be correct that the needles were bent slightly toward the center of the gauge pod to aid in the illumination of the needle at night and therefore you tend to see more of the edge of the needle as you look at the needle straight on in daylight.

[Stewart A.]

Re: Illumination of C1 Gauge Needle/Pointers

White on black is pretty easy to read even at night ? Weird thing to do. Stewy

[Dennis G.]

Re: Illumination of C1 Gauge Needle/Pointers

I found this posting timely and interesting. Here is why. My brother was a salesman in the late 70's and traveled in the Midwest. He stopped in all the Chevrolet Dealerships and asked about old parts they had in stock. In some cases he bought the entire stock and still has some parts. One is a NOS temperature gauge that fits a 56-57 Corvette. It was from Freis Chevrolet in Wallace, Michigan. The part number on the box and gauge is 1513198. My brother is selling some of these parts but was concerned because he thought the needle was bent. Thanks to this posting I could let him know they were supposed to be that way. I have attached some pictures.

[Tom P.]

Re: Illumination of C1 Gauge Needle/Pointers

Dennis,
I sent you an email.

[Stewart A.]

Re: Illumination of C1 Gauge Needle/Pointers

Dennis what possessed your Bro to buy up all the Nos spares they had in stock back in the 70's. If it was to hoard them and resell them at a later stage that was very good foresight. I don't think many people new that these C1's and C2's would be fetching these prices today back then !!! Stewy

[Dennis G.]

Re: Illumination of C1 Gauge Needle/Pointers

Actually my brother was in to 1955-57 Chevrolets back then, not Corvettes. So he was looking specifically for those parts. He ended up with a couple of sets of the old 1955 wire wheel hubcaps which were rare. I don't think he knew back then that the value of parts would raise as much as they did. The Corvette items were just part of a particular lot. I'm looking forward to seeing what other Corvette parts he has. He is retired now and looking to downsize. That includes going through and selling accumulated parts. I know a lot of them are old pickup truck parts.
Don't we all wish we knew then what we know now? There would have been a lot more storage buildings built in the 60's and 70's. Now he is into another orange, Allis Chalmers tractors.