Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

Rich5ltr · Joined: 28 Mar 2008 Posts: 681 Location: Hampshire, UK

As it says really chaps. How should you read the digits in the mileage windows on this odometer? Thanks...

Peter_L · Posted: Fri Dec 04, 2015 9:48 pm Post subject:

Trip Miles on Top. With reset on side.
Total Miles on Bottom

White #'s on Red. 10/th of a Mile.

http://www.magnetic-speedometer-repair.com/new-page1/

Info here about the ratio.

goneps · Posted: Fri Dec 04, 2015 9:50 pm Post subject:

Agreed. A nice-looking vintage instrument, but that ammeter's clearly a cuckoo in the nest.

Richard

Penman · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 4857 Location: Swindon, Wilts.

Hi
Without observing it change while being driven, I would say that the top row is a trip meter reading upto 99.9 of whatever unit it is set to, presumably miles as it is a Smiths instrument.

and the bottom row is an accumulative record up to 9999.9 units.
It does seem strange that the lower set has a tenths digit, unless the red digit is actually a mile per digit making it register up to 99999 units.
That is why I put in the caveat about seeing it working.
_________________
Bristols should always come in pairs.

Any 2 from:-
Straight 6
V8 V10

Rich5ltr · Joined: 28 Mar 2008 Posts: 681 Location: Hampshire, UK

Thanks chaps, most useful. I hadn't realised it had a trip meter although that seemed most obvious because I couldn't find a reset button. I'll look in the morning. I've only recently got the car and yes, I will be looking out on eBay etc. for a vintage ammeter!

Peter_L · Posted: Fri Dec 04, 2015 11:12 pm Post subject:

Rich5ltr · Joined: 28 Mar 2008 Posts: 681 Location: Hampshire, UK

Well there's nothing on the front of the instrument. I've had a grope underneath but couldn't feel anything so I may have to remove the instrument from the dash for a proper look! Not that it matters as I won't be using the trip meter. Laughing

Penman · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 4857 Location: Swindon, Wilts.

Hi
What are the 2 unmarked knobs?
Presumably the one with the W is wipers.
_________________
Bristols should always come in pairs.

Any 2 from:-
Straight 6
V8 V10

Rich5ltr · Joined: 28 Mar 2008 Posts: 681 Location: Hampshire, UK

Middle one is the fog lamp and the bottom one pulls out to switch on the fuel gauge. Not sure why you would want to have the fuel gauge switched off but apparently early 30s Lagondas had this feature. To be honest I think the switches and gauges have been messed about with in its lifetime (e.g. the modern ammeter) but it's hard to find original cars to make comparisons with.

goneps · Posted: Sat Dec 05, 2015 11:02 pm Post subject:

Surely there's a club for Lagonda owners whose members would be able to advise?

Peter_L · Posted: Sat Dec 05, 2015 11:32 pm Post subject:

Rich5ltr · Joined: 28 Mar 2008 Posts: 681 Location: Hampshire, UK

mikeC · Posted: Sun Dec 06, 2015 9:43 am Post subject:

I can confirm that my father's Lagonda Rapier had those exact switches - I think the middle knob on the dash was for the panel illumination; the trip should have a short semi-flexible cable hanging down behind the dash with a knob on the end. I can't now remember whether the knob was pushed up or pulled down to set the trip.