Late 1931 OVAL Speedometer

[Roadster62]

I've had two emails over a ROUND speedometer and dash that is listed on an auction site. Someone with a copy of the all knowing JUDGING STANDARDS claims that the late 1931's had an OVAL speedometer and that fact is stated as correct in the standards. In 50+ years in the hobby I've never seen an OVAL speedo in a Late 1930-1931 dash. How rare are they? Bob

 

[Tom Wesenberg]

I've never seen that in the Standards.

 

[160B]

.................... In 50+ years in the hobby I've never seen an OVAL speedo in a Late 1930-1931 dash. How rare are they? Bob

There is no such thing as a 1931 oval speedometer see the below from RG&JS page 6-4 revised 2011


A round shaped speedometer (D through F) was
introduced with the new instrument panel in June
1930. All numerals were black, except the 1/10th
odometer dial, which was red. The speedometer
pointer was red until March 1931 and white
thereafter. Round speedometers were supplied
by Stewart Warner, Waltham and Northeast. The
Northeast speedometer was discontinued in late
1930. All speedometers had a satin black faceplate
with a bright nickel bezel.

 

[darrylkmc]

I think Plucks gas tank study would disprove that in a hurry.

http://www.plucks329s.org/pdf/gastank/Evo30_31gas_tank.pdf


An early '30 tank could be made to fit a late '31 if you tried.

Darryl

 

[160B]

From Steve Pluckers Gas Tank study. A quick look at the study and I identified two tables for the 1931 vehicles see below. Both use the 30-31insturment panel which will not hold an oval speedometer.


http://www.plucks329s.org/pdf/gastank/Evo30_31gas_tank.pdf

THE 1931 A-9002-D GAS TANK​

(For Flat Firewalls) ​

INST. ​

PANEL ​

ASSY. ​

30-31 ​

Style ​

THE 1931 A-9002-E GAS TANK ​

(For Indented Firewalls)

INST. ​

PANEL ​

ASSY. ​

30-31 ​

style ​

 

[Roadster62]

Thank you gentlemen, I was fairly sure I wan't the crazy one in this email exchange, thanks for proving it. Bob

 

[Bob Bidonde]

The comment re the Northeast speedometer going away in late 1930 is not accurate. I have found these in several 1931 cars.

 

[160B]

“The Northeast speedometer was discontinued in late 1930”, RG&JS page 6-4 revised 2011.

Per the RG&JS, “a pre-existing part could have been used up to 2 months on vehicles and 6 months on AA commercial vehicles”, RG&JS page 7 Revised 2011.

Since the Northeast speedometer was discontinued in late 1930, (“late” means September, October, November, and December, RG&JS Page 8 Revised 2011) a Northeast Speedometer could have been in a Jan or Feb 1931 vehicle, or a Jan, Feb, March, April, May, June 1931 AA commercial vehicle.

 

[CarlG]

“The Northeast speedometer was discontinued in late 1930”, RG&JS page 6-4 revised 2011.

Per the RG&JS, “a pre-existing part could have been used up to 2 months on vehicles and 6 months on AA commercial vehicles”, RG&JS page 7 Revised 2011.

Since the Northeast speedometer was discontinued in late 1930, (“late” means September, October, November, and December, RG&JS Page 8 Revised 2011) a Northeast Speedometer could have been in a Jan or Feb 1931 vehicle, or a Jan, Feb, March, April, May, June 1931 AA commercial vehicle.

Or could have simply been replaced somewhere in the last 80 years or so.

 

[mshmodela]

Here is was my late 31' has:

 

[Charlie Stephens]

I wonder if foreign production is sneaking in here and causing confusion? Don't know, just wondering.

Charlie Stephens

 

[Tom Wesenberg]

Here is was my late 31' has:

Is there a date stamped on the speedometer? My oval speedometer is date stamped.

 

[160B]

Is there a date stamped on the speedometer? My oval speedometer is date stamped.

Stewart Warner Date Codes
Stewart Warner used a code on the back of the speedometer to identify the model number of the speedometer and year and month of manufacture.
Model number is Model 600
Year codes were
U - 1927
V - 1928
W - 1929
X - 1930
Y - 1931
Month codes were numerical starting with 1 for January
Thus X3 translates to 1930 March
These marking were used for warranty purposes

 

[CarlG]

The speedometer that was in my PU when I purchased it was date stamped -- but with white ink (paint). First time thru any shop would have painted over that.

 

[160B]

Stewart Warner Date Codes
Stewart Warner used a code on the back of the speedometer to identify the model number of the speedometer and year and month of manufacture.
Model number is Model 600
Year codes were
U - 1927
V - 1928
W - 1929
X - 1930
Y - 1931
Month codes were numerical starting with 1 for January
Thus X3 translates to 1930 March
These marking were used for warranty purposes

 

[mshmodela]

Is there a date stamped on the speedometer? My oval speedometer is date stamped.

Not sure Tom, assuming that would be on the backside of the speedometer... I can pull it...

Clearly mine is not a new speedometer..

Here's a shot from a July when I can an battery/ammeter issue:

 

[mot]

ok
lets try and separate fact from fiction
Northeast made speedometers in both the oval and round configuration
the oval ones stopped approximately june 1930
then they began supplying the round speedometers
this is clearly shown in the JS pg 6-3
with the advent of the new instrument panel ,the gas tank itself was changed as per Plucks article
the instrument panels are not interchangeable between the early and later tank
stewart warner had a date code on the speedometers as Don has shown
the Northeast usually had a month and year stamped on the back
I THINK they were a late 29 early 30 item as that's the only dates ive seen on the back
(refer to the JS , a lot of research went into that information)
But that's not to say they were earlier or later
many do not have the date stamped on them ,BUT I think that's because they were worn off or removed when they were replated
the Northeast oval speedometers took a unique instrument panel without the notch for the trip meter knob
they oval ones also had a unique speedometer cable
it had female fittings at both ends ,rather than one male and one female
like all the other speedometers
first two pictures are the late 29 early thirty oval Northeast speedmeter
the 2nd two pictures are the oval mid 30 to 31 round Northeast speedometer
the last picture is showing one example of the date code on the Northeast speedometer 8 29 August 1929
tom

 

[Chris Haynes]

My May 1930 AA has an Oval speedometer.

 

[BigB]

I have a Stewart Warner oval speedometer in a bright nickel bezel that was removed from a 1930 coupe. Sound right?

 

[Tom Wesenberg]

I have a Stewart Warner oval speedometer in a bright nickel bezel that was removed from a 1930 coupe. Sound right?

Yes, oval is correct until mid year 1930.