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Those tests weren't conducted on a 43 year old speedometer though. Cables do deteriorate. Also, anyone who has driven anything pre-'90 will remember the "bouncy/wavy" needle that was endemic to cars without round speedometers. I prefer the modern gauge clusters.
That's because the analog cables need to be lubricated regularly to keep it smooth and accurate.
There was a period when the Lincolns had a unique horizontal speedometer. I don't know how else to describe it, not the mark series and 1977 was the last year for it. I like the sweep or square speedos myself.
Here is an example in the middle picture for the horizontal speedometers.
I am glad that there is enough choice out there to make everyone happy.
I just don't get the horizontal speedo. It is not by accident that all (older) racing cars, most sports cars and GTs, and serious driving sedans have a dial type speedo and tach. It is easy to read at speed. The newest and most advanced race cars have digital readouts, as do some road cars. I have not experienced those, but I imagine that they are for the purpose of instant recognition in a complicated cockpit environment.
Now, I know the type of vehicles submitted by the OP are not for track, or even performance, driving, so I apologize if my advocacy of the simple dial has caused any consternation.
The first picture is, for me, a total waste.
Just like my watch, I am not really interested in knowing exactly what time it is. So with that in mind, I am not interested in how fast I am going knowing exactly to the mile ...
The next two, are a bit better, but then I prefer a contrasting colour for the *needle*.
The picture of above poster, I find interesting since the emphasis is on the Tachometer, rather then the Speedometer.
Not my choice for a *what info do I need first* ???
To me a linear expression represents a better picture, so the third picture is not a preferred one for me.
What would be an almost perfect speedometer for me ?
One that places emphasis on the maximum speed noted on most streets.
Like 25, 35, 45, 55, 65, 75.
Just a glance would show me that I am *about there* .....
And guess what ...
None of them have those speeds as a *marker* ......
Go figure ....
It was just a common thing for most american built passenger cars and some trucks built from the 1960's on up until the 1980's. Usually (depending on the model) the round gauges were sort of a sports car thing, but not always.
I guess you could say sort of like why did we have 3 speeds on the columns in those days. Some feel it was for convenience, others probably felt the 3 speed on the floor made more sense. Me personally I'd rather have the 3 on the floor.
I have digital guages like the 95 lincoln. The gas guage is not always right. Im not sure if digital guages are even made anymore.
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