Dials and gauges in weird places.

[DaveH23]

Not sure of the best way of wording this thread but I was looking at pictures of the ZL1 Camaro earlier.

When I come across the interior photos I couldn't help but notice what a bizzare place the oil temp, oil pressure, volts & boost gauges have been housed.





Imagine trying to check any of these whilst actually driving.

I then thought of the new mini cooper with the big ben sized speedo in the centre of the dash and it got me thinking, what other cars have dials and gauges in areas out of the norm.

Please no halfords specials with redundant dials blue tacked to the interior pillar.

Factory fitted only.

Over to you.

[TooMany2cvs]

DaveH23 said:

I then thought of the new mini cooper with the big ben sized speedo in the centre of the dash and it got me thinking, what other cars have dials and gauges in areas out of the norm.

Please no halfords specials with redundant dials blue tacked to the interior pillar.

Factory fitted only.

Over to you.

Not dials and gauges, but Alfa have to win any battle of weird ergonomics, hands down.

I've had two - a 155 with the rear fog light switch on the end of the light stalk, and the front fog light switch under the handbrake - and a 75 with the electric window switches in the headlining... Bless 'em.

[DoctorX]

Jag XJ220 had some on the door.

ETA TVR - steering wheel I think?

[DaveH23]

TooMany2cvs said:

Not dials and gauges, but Alfa have to win any battle of weird ergonomics, hands down.

I've had two - a 155 with the rear fog light switch on the end of the light stalk, and the front fog light switch under the handbrake - and a 75 with the electric window switches in the headlining... Bless 'em.

You've just reminded me of TVR with the button on the wing mirror to get in, understandably for a smooth door finish but the button to open from the inside being on the centre console.

[CB2152]

I think the Ferrari FF has an option to have a digital rev counter and speedometer in front of the passenger...

[Benni]

I remember some US muscle cars of the 60/70s with a rev gauge outside on the hood, or between hood and front screen.

The jap scene has made little gauges in the a pillar cover famous, maybe you can see these better when drifting ?

[Bibbs]

DaveH23 said:

Not sure of the best way of wording this thread but I was looking at pictures of the ZL1 Camaro earlier.

When I come across the interior photos I couldn't help but notice what a bizzare place the oil temp, oil pressure, volts & boost gauges have been housed.

Imagine trying to check any of these whilst actually driving.

Seems to be a GM thing.



About the only thing I didn't like about the VF over the VE.

[Impasse]

Maserati Boomerang ftw!

[Puddenchucker]

Bristol Fighter (overhead console):

[Buzz84]

DaveH23 said:

When I come across the interior photos I couldn't help but notice what a bizzare place the oil temp, oil pressure, volts & boost gauges have been housed.

Its probably just as weird that they are actually fitted with them when most other manufactures are completely omitting them from cars all together

[mygoldfishbowl]

MK3 Cortina GXLs had four round dials at the front of the centre consul angled so they faced the driver. Absolutely brilliant especially when paired with an 8 ball gear knob, was like something out of Mad Max.

[mcdjl]

Buzz84 said:

DaveH23 said:

When I come across the interior photos I couldn't help but notice what a bizzare place the oil temp, oil pressure, volts & boost gauges have been housed.

Its probably just as weird that they are actually fitted with them when most other manufactures are completely omitting them from cars all together

On the Audi 80 they were an option in the same place. I never did add them in...

[smithyithy]

The 'new' new Mini has moved the speedo dial back behind the steering wheel.

What I like about it though, as that the gauge cluster is fixed to the steering wheel, so adjusting the wheel height doesn't obstruct your view of the dials.

[CrutyRammers]

The noughties Primera had that rather odd dash design:

[Poopipe]

The xsara picasso has a central pod for all the important gauges. It's crap for three reasons.
1 you have to take your eyes off the road to see how fast you're going
2 the missus can see how fast you're going all the time
3 it's designed for LHD so the useful information is on the other side of the car.

[EnglishTony]

mcdjl said:

On the Audi 80 they were an option in the same place. I never did add them in...

My father's early 80's Passat had those. I think similar era Golf GTIs too.

I can recall something with a clock in front of the gear stick too. Capri maybe?

Escorts Cossie's boost gauge cluster was on top of the dash in the middle.

[veccy208]

CrutyRammers said:

The noughties Primera had that rather odd dash design:

My dad has one of these and I drive it from time to time. I love that set up! I'm tallish and always find the gauges obscured by the steering wheel but the primera is perfect for me.

They are also thee most reliable car I have ever known. Every time its at the MOT the testers predict a pass as soon as you drive in. Also pretty nice to drive (even after 160k and 12yrs.)

[s m]

smithyithy said:

The 'new' new Mini has moved the speedo dial back behind the steering wheel.

What I like about it though, as that the gauge cluster is fixed to the steering wheel, so adjusting the wheel height doesn't obstruct your view of the dials.

I had the R53 and didn't like the idea of the centre speedo so I ordered the Chrono pack to get the speedo/Rev counter there. I got the oil gauges in the centre display

[s p a c e m a n]

There's some citroen thing with an led speedo on the center of the dashboard, means that everyone outside can see what speed you're doing. Just weird.

[AC43]

The Alfetta GT/GTV in LHD form had the rev counter in front of the driver and the speedo in the centre. Presumably so Carlos Fandango could concentrate on the manliness of driving whilst wowing his passegners with the speed at which they were going.

Somewhat spoilt here in the UK in the RHD driver version where they gave the driver the speedo and the passengers the rev counter.