C1 Speedo & Tack cable Trivia

[Roy B.]

As a judge and now having to be politically correct when a part is known not to be original we cant used the word repro when deducting points . The word now has to be (service replacement part). So how does a judge decide weather a Speedo or tack cable is original or a service replacement after verifying the cable ends have the correct markings mentioned in the JM.
He looks to see that the cable windings shows a darker color followed by a lighter color as seen here. In the service replacement part the cable windings are all the same color and material.
So with out having to look for the ends having the AC markings it's easy to know it's not an original cable.

[Roy B.]

Re: C1 Speedo & Tack cable Trivia

I always wonder why an item is repro'ed with out knowing what the original look or dimensions is . Here we have a 68 inch. Speedo cable called out for a 53 to 62 Corvette when the original cable for a 53 to 57 is 62 inch. Long.
When seeing a restored 55 that's why a repro Speedo cable is routed over the coil and not under it as the original was (because it's to long to hind under the dash or below the firewall.) Just another way to tell a repro from 5 feet away or the wrong cable being used.



C&C
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1953-...Q5fAccessories

[Steven B.]

Re: C1 Speedo & Tack cable Trivia

Does anyone repro correct speedo and tach cables?

Steve

[Roy B.]

Re: C1 Speedo & Tack cable Trivia

Does anyone repro correct speedo and tach cables?

Steve

Not that I know of and dont get why

[Jack H.]

Re: C1 Speedo & Tack cable Trivia

Perhaps, I can help you with the 'why'...

When folks go negotiate a license with GM, it's up to them to ask for everything they want/need. When it comes down to original tooling, it may exist and it may not exist (replaced with newer tooling to achieve running changes, just wore out, Etc.).

Most get the original drawings, but few have an engineering staff to actually sift through and READ and UNDERSTAND. So, quite frequently, they simply go to the last source GM had on file to supply the part and have him 'play it again, Sam'...

Of course, that gives you the 'service replacement' version of the part and not the one that might have been factory original to the car! We see this quite frequently when a newly reproduced part hits the street.

Then, there are certain factory original materials that are often no longer made for various reasons. This/that was found to be a carcinigen. DOT rules require parts manufactured for sale after XX/YY/ZZ meet these requirements that the original doesn't have a prayer of meeting.

Last, the reproducing manufacturer is trying to maximize his sales. One market segment want's it different/better than factory original (make it from SS, use show quality chrome, they were known to break so beef up this/that aspect). Another market seqment wants it as cheap as possible (cut corners and build it this way). And another segment (us folk) want it just the way it was when it was a factory original part.

Guess what? We're in the MINORITY! With +1,000,000 Corvettes built and sold, the NCRS membership roster just pushed above 50K. Get it?

[Jack H.]

Re: C1 Speedo & Tack cable Trivia

PS, once the licensing agreement is completed, GM deals with you at 'arms length'. That means there are no 'parts police' looking over your shoulder to see if you're making it 'right', making it 'reliable', making it safe/roadworthy.

Why? GM would have a pretty serious liability exposure. They'd most likely be embroiled in litigation for parts products they're NOT making and NOT controlling the marketing/sale of.

[Troy P.]

Re: C1 Speedo & Tack cable Trivia

I believe another explanation for the color difference could be the cable lubicant leaking out from use and getting baked on the exterior of the cable by engine heat for many years. A repo would not have been in service long enough to exhibit that appearance.

[Michael K.]

Re: C1 Speedo & Tack cable Trivia

Troy, there is an NOS housing for sale on e-bay right now with the original envelope it came in and it has the same markings on alternating windings that Roy is talking about.
Mike

[Troy P.]

Re: C1 Speedo & Tack cable Trivia

Just checking to see if anyone would bite. I know Roy is on top of the details when it comes to parts.