64 speedometer color

[Doug L.]

I noticed last night that the "chrome" circle around the recessed cone in the center of my '64 speedometer is gold in color while the same circle on the tachometer is silver (chrome) in color. I first thought that the chrome circle of the speedo was simply discolored from age but after removing the gauges from the panel and their cluster it appears that the ring on the speedo was originally gold. Do I have some aftermarket speedo that was built incorrectly, or do I need to clean the "gold" off the silver?

Thanks.

[Steven H.]

Re: 64 speedometer color

Doug,
I have been looking around and asking questions about this.
My friend Todd (member here on the board)has a very nice original '64 and his rings are all chrome.

When I replaced my temperature gauge in my '64, I saw that the oil pressure and speedometer had tarnished gold rings but all the other instruments were chrome, including the tachometer. I went ahead and removed the gold color, it came off real easy with some metal polish on a q-tip!
Now all my instruments match. I hope this helps.

If you or anyone else finds further info on this, please post your findings.

[Doug L.]

Re: 64 speedometer color

Hi Steven,
Thanks for your input. I have come to the same conclusion. Whether it is tarnish or tobacco residue from being driven by a smoker, or some other source, it seems that the rings should be chrome.

best regards-Doug

[Joe R.]

Re: 64 speedometer color

You guys are on the right track as both the 63 and 64 cones should have a silver (aluminum) edge. The cones themselves for 63 are aluminum and the 64 cones are stepped aluminum and painted black. Only the edge on the 64 is polished aluminum. Hope that makes sense!

The cones on both are painted with a clear lacquer and will yellow (gold) with time. Probably faster with a smoker in the car. The 63 cones will yellow down to the pointer stem.

Nail polish remover or lacquer thinner will remove the old clear lacquer and they will be new again. Be careful with the remover as it will also remove the coating on the coils, melt the plastic and the black paint on 64's and you will be looking for new gauges.

JR