Hi,
I'm hoping someone has fitted something similar to this before:


https://webshop.fiat500126.com/en/t...rmatures-abarth-_4-instruments_-80-mm-_w-dial


I have a 500F with a round hole where the odometer clips in. Does this hole need to be modified to fit a sports dash? I thought that since odometer is off-centre to the left on the sports dash there may not be enough clearance for the odometer cable.


Cutting extra holes in the dash would put me off a bit!


Thanks


M

I've done this.

But that said, I did have a lot of help and I'm no auto-electrician.

I think there was a slight mod to the dash hole, but pretty minor.

Hi Mod, see my pic of the instrument cluster fitted in my car, it has 100mm main dials and because of this the panel behind has been cut to accommodate the wiring. I would council you to get an electrician to do the wiring as there is a lot and not a great deal of room, you will have to remove the tank to get access.
Ian.

I like this dash a lot but I think it is way too expensive.

gordinir8 said:

I like this dash a lot but I think it is way too expensive.

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I like the original dash. When things like petrol, oil or electricity start running out a light comes on. All of those round things with needles take the surprise factor away.

I had to fit a new sensor in the petrol tank, which I haven't calibrated yet. So the surprise factor is still there.

i built my own - with original period Veglia instruments sourced from Ebay Europe....
As my car was an L with the plastic dash it was a real job to get a fit and finish i could live with.
The wiring was complicated by me fitting LED lamps for warning lights.
The charging light required a relay.
There really is not a lot of room for this job and requires some patience BUT i'm thrilled with my custom instruments that look like they were always designed that way....
I also have a period Halda rally timer and a pair of Omega period stopwatches mounted.

AndrewHarvey said:

i built my own - with original period Veglia instruments sourced from Ebay Europe....
As my car was an L with the plastic dash it was a real job to get a fit and finish i could live with.
The wiring was complicated by me fitting LED lamps for warning lights.
The charging light required a relay.
There really is not a lot of room for this job and requires some patience BUT i'm thrilled with my custom instruments that look like they were always designed that way....
I also have a period Halda rally timer and a pair of Omega period stopwatches mounted.

Click to expand...

Picture please and type of instruments you bought. There is also a dash only without any leather covering or any finish at about 70 euros and it's a good start but instruments are a bit of expensive. I would like to build one one day, I like to have round instruments in front of me.

I will be fitting an "Abarth style" instrument cluster on my 500L over next winter. As far as I am aware, you only have to do a little bit of 'fettling ' to fit the cluster on all models bar the 'L'. The 'L', due to the unique cluster fitted on this model and the different shape of the dash behind the cluster does need quite a bit of 'adjusting'. My cluster has 'Smiths' instruments, which seem to be a bit cheaper than the Italian instruments (but of course, sadly, don't have 'ABARTH' on them). My new speedo is an electronic one which requires a special sender unit that fits onto the gearbox in place of the normal speedo cable. With the exception of the speedo and the rev-counter (which only really needs to read up to 7.000rpm) the oil-pressure and oil-temperature gauges can initially be cheaper versions whilst you save for the matching instruments. Whichever cluster you fit, it is a lot easier if you remove the steering-wheel first.

I do believe there was an optional accessory "Dip stick" that could be used to check your fuel level before setting out on a trip, thus removing the guesswork and surprise when you are low on fuel...


I am wondering if there is a market... I have some lovely "OAK" from which I could craft such an accessory and create some marks using a felt tip pen to indicate, full, 1/2 full and empty...
obviously the felt pen marks would blur after being soaked with fuel, giving that extra excitement....


I would require at least 10 pre orders before commencing manufacture, I could personalize them by writing your cars nae on the top in an appropriate colour...


Any takers at £15 a shot?

Bigvtwin996 said:

I do believe there was an optional accessory "Dip stick" that could be used to check your fuel level before setting out on a trip, thus removing the guesswork and surprise when you are low on fuel...

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I fondly remember when I flew old Cessna aircraft the fuel gauge was so bad (inaccurate) that using a piece of wood as a "calibrated" dipstick (you needed to climb onto the wing) added an extra level of excitement to your fuel burn calculations if you got it wrong everything went very quiet!!!

Ian.

Bleeding Knuckles said:

I fondly remember when I flew old Cessna aircraft the fuel gauge was so bad (inaccurate) that using a piece of wood as a "calibrated" dipstick (you needed to climb onto the wing) added an extra level of excitement to your fuel burn calculations if you got it wrong everything went very quiet!!!

Ian.

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My reaction was "FFFFFFF in ell" not too bad running out of fuel in a car....
I can imagine the excitement as the pilot announces "Hey guys and girls, you may have noticed the propellers have stopped turning... because we have run out of fuel... don't worry we can glide for a while, just brace for impact we may get out of this..."
Ahh how we miss the old days before all this "elf and softy"

Bleeding Knuckles said:

I fondly remember when I flew old Cessna aircraft the fuel gauge was so bad (inaccurate) that using a piece of wood as a "calibrated" dipstick (you needed to climb onto the wing) added an extra level of excitement to your fuel burn calculations if you got it wrong everything went very quiet!!!

Ian.

Click to expand...

I own a vintage Jodel and still use a piece of wood to dip the back tank. And the other day while flying the front tank ran out and I had to quickly change to the back one before the engine stopped!

karlbown said:

I own a vintage Jodel and still use a piece of wood to dip the back tank. And the other day while flying the front tank ran out and I had to quickly change to the back one before the engine stopped!

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It's that kind of experience that teaches you where the fuel change tap is!!!! Amazing how silence speeds up the reactions
Ian.

I had a go at one myself, but it's not finished yet.


I started off with a motorcycle dash and 2 motorcycle dials and an aluminium plate to position the pods.


The motorcycle dash needs work as it's too short, the plan is to fiberglass the back and trim in leather.


The pods are going to be custom - A fiat speedo trimmed and fitted into one and a Harley Davidson Tachometer fitted into the other.


Wherever possible I prefer to make things rather than buy. It suits my spare time to spare money ratio better! However I might keep an eye out for ready made period tachometer and odometer because custom fitting the innards is a pain and will require new faces to be made up.


I have recently purchased this as well, so I may fit it instead.


https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Classic-...e=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649