auxillary gauges

johnbird · Post by **johnbird** » Sat May 07, 2011 8:52 pm

fitted these to the saab 99 today,its what i should have done to the temp gauge on the bx. custom make an alloy panel and cover thee coin slot and ash try.

MULLEY · Post by **MULLEY** » Sat May 07, 2011 9:35 pm

Very smart looking

Perhaps this is in the wrong section though

KevR · Post by **KevR** » Sat May 07, 2011 9:41 pm

It doesn't get much more 80s retro than that Halfords/Audioline graphic equaliser! I think I may well still have one of those lurking in the shed somewhere.
The aluminium panels are very nicely done - chapeau, as they say over here.

rayfenwick · Post by **rayfenwick** » Sat May 07, 2011 11:44 pm

I agree it looks great, but please change the head unit for something matching. I'd recommend a Pioneer - they made some lovely looking silver car stereo stuff:

johnbird · Post by **johnbird** » Sun May 08, 2011 6:18 am

i would swap for the pioneer in a flash but its unobtainablr in working condition or astronomically priced if working. lots of old stuff wont support a six disc cd changer either.

rayfenwick · Post by **rayfenwick** » Sun May 08, 2011 1:36 pm

Why not buy a Pioneer with a knackered cassette deck and wire in an iPod (many Pioneers support a line in, or use an FM transmitter)? That way you can carry hundreds of CDs with no risk of them getting scratched or stolen. Original looks and sound with modern convenience - the best of both worlds

scarecrow · Post by **scarecrow** » Sun May 08, 2011 6:12 pm

I love it - but I couldn't get on with a fuel consumption gauge nagging at me ;

I definitely want a water temperature gauge, if nothing else.

Linegeist · Post by **Linegeist** » Sun May 08, 2011 9:30 pm

That 'fuel consumption' gauge is actually just a vacuum meter that measures the inlet manifold depression. In fact they can be quite useful little things for telling you stuff about your engine - like if you have a leaky valve seat .......... the thing flickers.

They are also very good for setting up tappet clearances if you have a motor than be adjusted while the engine's running.

johnbird · Post by **johnbird** » Mon May 09, 2011 7:09 am

the above answer is correct. the gauges just give you more information about whats going on under the bonnet. with a turbo its quite important to know when any perameter changes.
i was on e bay last night and looking at silver pioneer seperates as you were quite right sir they do look better. scared myself to death,have you seen the prices? may have to start doing the lottery. this stuff is just old not classic. valve car stereos are classic not pioneer surely?

rayfenwick · Post by **rayfenwick** » Mon May 09, 2011 10:04 am

They're extremely well made, with design and a grade of components that would cost silly money these days. They are now regarded as classic audio, and much desired by owners of classic cars. People who'll spend 50 grand restoring a car want a period top-end sound system to go in it (unless they go the modern route, and to me that seems largely inappropriate...)

Equipment from Nakamichi, Pioneer and Technics etc can run into hundreds - even the Philips from the European spec "UR" Audi Quattros will set you back about £300...

http://www.isham-research.co.uk/quattro ... cc994.html

I'd strongly suggest looking at ebay.de and ebay.com. Generally speaking the prices are much cheaper and there's a greater variety.

The current "oh yes please!" stereo has to be the Panasonic CQ-TX5500D. Not much change from £500, but if only I had a car to put it in... It would look completely preposterous in any of my cars...

There's one on ebay at the moment, and to live out my fantasy by proxy I urge you to buy it

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/PANASONIC-CQ-TX55 ... 836wt_1141

Philip Chidlow · Post by **Philip Chidlow** » Mon May 09, 2011 10:15 am

Awesome. I agree - it wouldn't look quite right in a BX (even if you could fit it in).

I just go a new Philips CEM2000 for £40. That's more like it lol!