81 speedometer ??

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Jan 19, 2014 | 02:50 PM

K C 81

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81 speedometer ??

In my 81 the speedometer go's from 0 to 165 mph.Most of the 81 I've seen only go to 85 mph was this something that was order extra or only on L82's

Jan 19, 2014 | 03:05 PM

blk79nj

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From: Pitman NJ

As far as I know, all '80-82 (and some late 79's may have) had 85 mph speedo's from the factory. Others may chime in, but this was my understanding.

81's only have one engine available, L81 I believe, and it was a 50 state engine.

Last edited by blk79nj; Jan 19, 2014 at 03:08 PM.

Jan 19, 2014 | 03:54 PM

K C 81

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thank you for your input. I know that the RPO L81 was the only one made but that don't explain the speedo they put in the car when it was built

Jan 19, 2014 | 04:46 PM

spedaleden

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From: Mundelein Illinois

Your car came with a 85MPH speedo. Someone sent it out to be changed to 165MPH. A lot of people do this, because when the car was built the highway speed was 55MPH but now it's 70MPH. A lot of people did not like pegging the speedo so they send it out. In 1979 the car came with 140MPH from the factory. I put that one in my car.

Last edited by spedaleden; Jan 20, 2014 at 06:18 PM.

Jan 19, 2014 | 05:30 PM

Patro46

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From: Catoosa Okla

Quote:

Originally Posted by K C 81

In my 81 the speedometer go's from 0 to 165 mph.Most of the 81 I've seen only go to 85 mph was this something that was order extra or only on L82's

85 mph top speedo number? In a Vette? ANY Vette? That's downright embarrassing.

Jan 19, 2014 | 06:45 PM

Xanthophyll

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From: North Mankato MN

I believe it was a mandate, so doesn't matter what car, that was the max.

Jan 19, 2014 | 07:40 PM

Blame

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From: Jacksonville Fl

LoL it sad my 81 has that 85 mph gauge, I know with all the mods I done it more close to 160-180.

Jan 19, 2014 | 10:07 PM

alconk

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I had my 82 gauge face changed to the 140 as it was the 85. That was all you had for all US manufactures I believe.

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Jan 19, 2014 | 11:44 PM

Shark Racer

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From: San Jose CA

The C4s had the 85MPH speedo until the dash redesign in 1990.

However - they played with the loopholes in the laws; the analog speedo read to 85 but the digital readout would go beyond that.

Jan 20, 2014 | 09:49 AM

#10

Easy Mike

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From: Southbound

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Patro46

...85 mph top speedo number? In a Vette? ANY Vette? That's...embarrassing...

Some 79s and all 80-82s had 85 mph speedos from the factory. Federally required.

The 85 mph speedo in my 80 L-82 does not embarrass me.

Last edited by Easy Mike; Jan 20, 2014 at 09:52 AM.

Jan 20, 2014 | 10:07 AM

#11

Blame

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From: Jacksonville Fl

Quote:

Originally Posted by Easy Mike

Some 79s and all 80-82s had 85 mph speedos from the factory. Federally required.

The 85 mph speedo in my 80 L-82 does not embarrass me.

Why would it? It fools alot of people in think they are much slower then what they really are.

Jan 20, 2014 | 12:43 PM

#12

alconk

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It's just a #.

Jan 20, 2014 | 02:48 PM

#13

Shark Racer

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From: San Jose CA

It's just a gauge... if the scale maxed at 150lb I wouldn't suddenly be lighter.

Jan 20, 2014 | 02:53 PM

#14

Blame

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From: Jacksonville Fl

Yep enjoy the sleeper gauge.

Dec 31, 2022 | 03:08 PM

#15

Joe Schmeaux

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From: Dead South

Another 175 mph "Mystery" Speedometer

Picked this up on ebay along with a bunch of other spare gauges, tach, etc for my '81. Clearly must be an aftermarket face, looks like it's been installed and used for some time, hoping it works and is close in calibration, at least through about 90!

The seller didn't know anything about it, other than it fits a Corvette, says he picked it up at a live auction somewhere. Mechanism is smooth and needle works, time will tell. It actually looks nicer in person than it does in the picture, there is a small blemish on the "165" which could easily be retouched, but I think I'll just leave it alone. If it doesn't read correctly, it'll make a great conversation piece! Price was a steal, even just for the other spare gauges! If it does work, it'll add 90 mph to my Corvette's top speed, correct?

I'm gathering Bonneville entry forms as we speak.....

I have googled my *** off, and have not seen another like it, except this one, which goes to 175, but doesn't start at "0" as mine does:

Dec 31, 2022 | 11:45 PM

#16

1860army

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From: Central NJ

so....does size matter?

60

Jan 1, 2023 | 12:27 AM

#17

Joe Schmeaux

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From: Dead South

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1860army

so....does size matter?

60

No, or I wouldn't be running a wheezy 350 shivvy!

I guess it's kind of akin to sticking a sock down the pants to impress the chicks!

Gonna look foolish if called on to produce!!!

Jan 1, 2023 | 02:51 AM

#18

4-vettes

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I asked her. ..... She said size does matter.
perhaps a different topic??

Jan 1, 2023 | 06:25 AM

#19

Joe Schmeaux

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From: Dead South

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4-vettes

I asked her. ..... She said size does matter.
perhaps a different topic??

Hmmmmmmm, mine told me that what the speedometer reads is important, but the real truth is in how many G's you can pull on your launch!!!

Jan 1, 2023 | 06:33 AM

#20

4-vettes

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From: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia

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LMAO.
back to the topic.
All cars built in this time period in the US or for that matter even in northern Ireland. Had 85 MPH speedo's.
Someone changed the OP's speedo.
No doubt about it.

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