9 replies to this topic

[Don Ludewig]

Guys,

My 1959 Stanguellini FJR needs a tachometer, but before I start looking for one, I'd like to know what I should be looking for. Papers supplied with the car indicate it was a 10K instrument, and the hole in the IP is for a 3" (80mm) case, but that is the extent of my "knowledge". None of the magazine articles I've found (from that time) about the car provides any useful info, and photos aren't clear enough (to me, anyway) to indicate manufacturer/movement/etc.. Internet/website photos all appear to be of restored cars, rather than "period", and show almost every sort of tach available (which is probably an indication the original is unavailable/prohibitively exopensive). The "best" indicator I've been able to find is a photo in the Stanguellini book of a FJR in their museum with a 10K , CW rotation, white faced instrument with a red "telltail". I guessing it was a Veglia (chronometric/other?), but can anyone out there confirm this was "standard" fitment for all FJRs, or did it depend on country from which the order originated (Italy-Veglia, England/US-Smiths, France-Jaeger {in French}, etc.), or something else?.

Outside of Stanguellini (which admittedly I have not attempted to contact), I'm thinking this group has to be the most likely source for an answer, so am hoping someone out there has an idea of what, and possibly where to find. If not, I'll have to "inflict" my Italian/English on the factory....

So, "Thanks", for any assistance, which is greatly appreciated..

PS: No, the car is not for sale (:-).

[JB Miltonian]

You probably already have all of these, but I looked through my library here at home, and came up with the following Stanguellini F-Jr material:

Sports Cars Illustrated, May 1959, shows an 8000 rpm, black-faced, CW tach. Looks bigger than 3" to me.

Sports Car Graphic, April 1960, shows the same tach.

Road & Track, April 1960, shows the same tach.

Foreign Cars Illustrated, April 1960, shows a 10,000 rpm tach, black-faced, CW, starting at 2000rpm in approximately the 4:00 o'clock position, with 10,000 rpm at approximately 2:00 o'clock.

Sports Car Graphic, May 1962, shows the rear-engined F-Jr with the tach located straight above the steering column, black-faced, running from 0 (at approx 1:00 o'clock) to 10,000 (at approx 11:00 o'clock).

I can't read a manufacturer's name in any detail on any of them.

[Don Ludewig]

Hi JB,

"Thanks" for your input.

Although I thought I would have had most of the magazines you listed, apparently I don't, as the only one I can recall is the R&T with the Stang' on the cover. Like you, I couldn't decipher any tach manufacturer/type info from the photo, but your uncovering several other articles showing a similar item "adds weight" to that style (unless all were of same car..).

Anyway, until definitly contradictory information shows up, I'm going with your black, 10K, CW rotation "whatever". Now all I have to do is find one!

"Thanks" again for your help. Hope the search didn't waste too much of your time..

DL

Guys,

My 1959 Stanguellini FJR needs a tachometer, but before I start looking for one, I'd like to know what I should be looking for. Papers supplied with the car indicate it was a 10K instrument, and the hole in the IP is for a 3" (80mm) case, but that is the extent of my "knowledge". None of the magazine articles I've found (from that time) about the car provides any useful info, and photos aren't clear enough (to me, anyway) to indicate manufacturer/movement/etc.. Internet/website photos all appear to be of restored cars, rather than "period", and show almost every sort of tach available (which is probably an indication the original is unavailable/prohibitively exopensive). The "best" indicator I've been able to find is a photo in the Stanguellini book of a FJR in their museum with a 10K , CW rotation, white faced instrument with a red "telltail". I guessing it was a Veglia (chronometric/other?), but can anyone out there confirm this was "standard" fitment for all FJRs, or did it depend on country from which the order originated (Italy-Veglia, England/US-Smiths, France-Jaeger {in French}, etc.), or something else?.

Outside of Stanguellini (which admittedly I have not attempted to contact), I'm thinking this group has to be the most likely source for an answer, so am hoping someone out there has an idea of what, and possibly where to find. If not, I'll have to "inflict" my Italian/English on the factory....

So, "Thanks", for any assistance, which is greatly appreciated..

PS: No, the car is not for sale (:-).

[JB Miltonian]

Don: I hadn't really read any of the articles, just looked at the pictures. In the SCI article, it reads:

"Since the rules specify that a self-starter must be fitted, Stanguellini retains the Fiat unit and carries a lightweight Fiomm battery at the driver's right. This allows retintion of the standard Marelli distributor to fire plugs by the same maker. The distributor is, however, mounted on an extension which houses a skew gear drive to the SMITHS 8000 rpm tach."

[Peter Morley]

Guys,

My 1959 Stanguellini FJR needs a tachometer, but before I start looking for one, I'd like to know what I should be looking for. Papers supplied with the car indicate it was a 10K instrument, and the hole in the IP is for a 3" (80mm) case, but that is the extent of my "knowledge". None of the magazine articles I've found (from that time) about the car provides any useful info, and photos aren't clear enough (to me, anyway) to indicate manufacturer/movement/etc.. Internet/website photos all appear to be of restored cars, rather than "period", and show almost every sort of tach available (which is probably an indication the original is unavailable/prohibitively exopensive). The "best" indicator I've been able to find is a photo in the Stanguellini book of a FJR in their museum with a 10K , CW rotation, white faced instrument with a red "telltail". I guessing it was a Veglia (chronometric/other?), but can anyone out there confirm this was "standard" fitment for all FJRs, or did it depend on country from which the order originated (Italy-Veglia, England/US-Smiths, France-Jaeger {in French}, etc.), or something else?.

Outside of Stanguellini (which admittedly I have not attempted to contact), I'm thinking this group has to be the most likely source for an answer, so am hoping someone out there has an idea of what, and possibly where to find. If not, I'll have to "inflict" my Italian/English on the factory....

So, "Thanks", for any assistance, which is greatly appreciated..

PS: No, the car is not for sale (:-).

Try Farringdon Instruments in the UK I think you'll find that they can make a modern electronic (e.g. accurate) rev-counter with whatever dial you wish and in a variety of sizes.
They are fairly expensive (around £450 iirc) but cheaper than most rebuilt Smith Chronometrics which will still be rubbish!

[Don Ludewig]

Peter,

"Thanks" for your comment. You are probably right, but as all other parts of the car are "correct", I don't want to be the one to start it down the "slippery slope" of "updating'.

Try Farringdon Instruments in the UK I think you'll find that they can make a modern electronic (e.g. accurate) rev-counter with whatever dial you wish and in a variety of sizes.
They are fairly expensive (around £450 iirc) but cheaper than most rebuilt Smith Chronometrics which will still be rubbish!

[Don Ludewig]

JB,

"Thanks" for the additional info. I don't know what the modified engines would rev to, but the 8K range certainly seems more "appropriate" (than 10K) for a pushrod FIAT...

Don: I hadn't really read any of the articles, just looked at the pictures. In the SCI article, it reads:

"Since the rules specify that a self-starter must be fitted, Stanguellini retains the Fiat unit and carries a lightweight Fiomm battery at the driver's right. This allows retintion of the standard Marelli distributor to fire plugs by the same maker. The distributor is, however, mounted on an extension which houses a skew gear drive to the SMITHS 8000 rpm tach."

[silicanza]

JB,

"Thanks" for the additional info. I don't know what the modified engines would rev to, but the 8K range certainly seems more "appropriate" (than 10K) for a pushrod FIAT...

Early Stanguellini FJ had Jaegar Black faced Rev counters to 8000 rpm.
Later Stanguellini typically had Veglia Black faced rev counters start at 0 go to 10000 rpm. CW
Both are mechanical drive.
What chassis number you have? I can possibly confirm what type from that.

Only every seen one of the Veglia type for sale in 6 yrs of looking, but white faced. sold for 1100US. Viewed one in a Fiat Abarth Zagato once, unrestored so probably original fitment.

cheers

Edited by silicanza, 13 June 2012 - 13:10.

[Don Ludewig]

Hi silicanza,

Thanks for your input which adds to/ties together the different comments from various sources. As the VIN is "00146", your statement that "later Stangs' had 10K Veglias.." would appear to agree with Stanguellini's response to the previous owner's enquiry about a tach - which was apparently missing when he bought the car.

Not a fan of white faced instruments so won't be looking for one of those, but although I don't expect black faced 10K Veglias are much more plentiful, at least I know what to look for.

"Thanks" again for your help.

Sincerely,

Don Ludewig

Early Stanguellini FJ had Jaegar Black faced Rev counters to 8000 rpm.
Later Stanguellini typically had Veglia Black faced rev counters start at 0 go to 10000 rpm. CW
Both are mechanical drive.
What chassis number you have? I can possibly confirm what type from that.

Only every seen one of the Veglia type for sale in 6 yrs of looking, but white faced. sold for 1100US. Viewed one in a Fiat Abarth Zagato once, unrestored so probably original fitment.

cheers

[fbarrett]

Google "etceterini" or "stanguellini" or try http://www.ferrariex...tanguellini.htm

Frank