Which cars had 'em? Looking for something without the typical "sweep" needle. 58 Edsel had the "compass" speedo, which is close... any others come to mind? Pics?
'66-'70 Rivieras (I think even Toronados, too) had a really bitchin' speedo that rotated. The speedo marker was fixed, and the ball with the numbers spun behind it.
Volvos....the last of the 544 had them in the early-mid 60s 62 imperial Those are the only two I remember from my youth
Alan: 1955-56 Pontiacs used a similar idea only it was in an arc instead of straight across.It looked like the liquid in a thermometer moving in an arc around the speedo.What it actually was was a clear and red disc that rotated and only a small portion of the red was exposed.Looks pretty neat.
Pretty sure '59 and '60 Buicks also had the speedos that spiraled from left to right as the speed increased. Sorry, no pics handy. - RBR
'58 Dodge had a wide cylinder like an Edison record..It rolled, and the color changed from green to yellow to RED, (got bright red at 100+!) Scary for the passengers watching the speedo...
How about 54 Buick? They had a narrow speedometer with the cable inserted at the end rathet than the back.
60 Olds has a way cool thermometer looking drum setup, I am assuming that 61 listed above is the same but you cannot see the color since it isn't moving. EDIT - I see papajohn already mentioned this one sorry
57 Desoto. It was a cardboard tube inside that rolled, and the red color was a triangle shape on it, so the more it turned, the more red was revealed in the window.
1956 Buicks had a linear speedo that had a red drum that turned to the speed. Youtube video of it working. Video by mattnattig
One of my HS buds dad's cars had one like that, I think. I also remember it also changed colors, as the speed increased. Is that the same year as this one? Gary
I seem to recall that the 60 Plymouth speedo had little tabs (like a old-fashioned cash register) that would pop up in five or ten mph increments as speed increased.
here is the dash and speedo pod. VERY cool looking. The speedo is linear... if thats how it works (cash register tabs)... that would be very cool as well.
It's been years and years since I owned one, but I believe late 1960s and/or early 1970s Lincolns had one that was a read bar that moved to the right? I also owned a '62 so it might have been that one, but I'd swear it was my '72 Town Car??