first64riv Posted January 14, 2019 Share Posted January 14, 2019 Were there any dealer installed optional gauges available from GM for 1963 to 1965 Rivieras? I know of the tachometer. Any others? Thank you Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RivNut Posted January 14, 2019 Share Posted January 14, 2019 No. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
telriv Posted January 14, 2019 Share Posted January 14, 2019 That was short & sweet. I know a guy that converts the original dash to gauges. Looks COMPLETELY STOCK, but nor cheap. Tom T. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steelman Posted January 14, 2019 Share Posted January 14, 2019 Dakota Digital makes one with gauges. There may be others. Theirs is about $800, with all the senders and such that you need. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
telriv Posted January 15, 2019 Share Posted January 15, 2019 But it doesn't look stock like it belongs there & doesn't match the other side. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RivNut Posted January 15, 2019 Share Posted January 15, 2019 The only thing that I think looks bad is the digital odometer. And what's the deal with an analog clock AND a digital clock. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
telriv Posted January 15, 2019 Share Posted January 15, 2019 Looks pretty far from stock to me. The set-up I'm talking about uses analog gauges using the original gauge pod.. Tom T. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RivNut Posted January 15, 2019 Share Posted January 15, 2019 I guess it depends on what you're after. Anything but idiot lights won't look stock. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsgun Posted January 15, 2019 Share Posted January 15, 2019 Something using the original disc backgrounds would be amazing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
first64riv Posted January 15, 2019 Author Share Posted January 15, 2019 Thank you for the replies. The reason I was asking was because I have a 3D printer that I want to use to make parts for my Riviera. I have ABS filament, so I wanted to see if I could replicate a gauge holder if an optional one was available. I am about to start restoring my interior so I'll see what ideas for parts pop up as I progress. Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KongaMan Posted January 15, 2019 Share Posted January 15, 2019 Where I think these guys blow it is a) the digital clock, and b) not making a conscientious effort to keep the spirit of the original cluster. That is, use the general design (e.g. round rather than squashed), same color scheme, the same fonts, and the same numbering convention (e.g. a dot every 5 mph rather than a line every mile). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mp65riv Posted January 15, 2019 Share Posted January 15, 2019 It actually doesn't look bad in my opinion - different from stock, but not bad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
60FlatTop Posted January 15, 2019 Share Posted January 15, 2019 I am not a big fan of gauges. But if I was going to add some to my '64 Riviera I would probably buy one of these and adapt it to my car: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
telriv Posted January 15, 2019 Share Posted January 15, 2019 I'll have to see IF I can find & post pictures. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RivNut Posted January 15, 2019 Share Posted January 15, 2019 I've been trying to find out who reproduces this panel and see what it would take to make the gauges fit into the OE Riviera bezels. It's a repo of a 1969 Chevelle SS panel. I think it would look good in the original 63 - 64 style if (it would have to have a 140 mph speedo though.) I don't know what the space is at the bottom of the speedometer but i'm guessing it's the parking brake light. It could be a start. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsgun Posted January 16, 2019 Share Posted January 16, 2019 I had to look up the 69 Chevelle gauges, I do like those a lot. It looks like the 65 Chevelle has the metal disc background, much like the Riv. Classic Instruments will make anything for you, but I think I read once it's gets into the $2-3k range for a full custom set. https://shop.classicinstruments.com/retrofits Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
65VerdeGS Posted January 17, 2019 Share Posted January 17, 2019 What about the optional BUICK tachometer? I know these were offered by dealers back in the day. I've seen some added to our 1st Gen Rivieras - some where the ashtray lid is, others somewhat awkwardly strapped to the steering column. Anyone know if the Buick tach was offered with brackets to fit the '63-5 Rivieras? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1965rivgs Posted January 17, 2019 Share Posted January 17, 2019 To be installed on the dash pad... Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
telriv Posted January 17, 2019 Share Posted January 17, 2019 They were mounted on the center of the dash. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rivdrivn Posted January 17, 2019 Share Posted January 17, 2019 Kinda looks like this Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RivNut Posted January 17, 2019 Share Posted January 17, 2019 (edited) If you take a '63 console apart, you'll see an embossed circle below the ash tray. I've never measured the diameter of the circle to compare it to the diameter of the tack, but I've seen some in the '63 consoles. The accessory brochures show them mounted on the dash. Edited January 17, 2019 by RivNut (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RivNut Posted January 17, 2019 Share Posted January 17, 2019 Photo of what someone has done to an early Riviera. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
telriv Posted January 17, 2019 Share Posted January 17, 2019 http://www.v8buick.com/index.php?threads/64-wildcat-with-rare-factory-gauge-package-found.309540/#post-2573543 this is what I was talking about, looks stock Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RivNut Posted January 17, 2019 Share Posted January 17, 2019 This post appears after a couple of comments on the V8Buick site: "OK, it's not really a factory option but it looks and works like it. I did this conversion using GM Nova SS gauges and a custom mounting setup inside the OE instrument cluster. I have about 70 hours to get this to look original. Using a repop cluster doesn't work since the radius of the gauges doesn't match the Wildcat faceplate. Also, the order of the gauges as installed in the Nova doesn't match the Wildcat lens. I have one set of good gauges left over that I could make another cluster. I'd have to have your instrument panel and the work is not reversible as the idiot light bosses are removed from the dash. The faceplate must also be modified. The oil pressure gauge is mechanical so a copper line must be run through the firewall to the engine. I tried to replicate the GM mounting of the shunt resistor (used for the ammeter) and wiring as much as possible.PM me if interested. This should work on all 63 & 64 Wildcats and Electra's as well as 63-65 Riviera's." 70 Hours, wow! ; not really a new Mom and Pop industry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
telriv Posted January 18, 2019 Share Posted January 18, 2019 ANYTHING/EVERYTHING worth it's salt takes time especially when your paying attention to details. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RivNut Posted January 18, 2019 Share Posted January 18, 2019 70 hours to figure it out the first time. Probably a lot less for the second and sequential ones. Something you might undertake for yourself but if you were to try and replicate it for others, you'd have to charge more than they'd be willing to pay. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsgun Posted January 20, 2019 Share Posted January 20, 2019 I was looking at clock housings from 50's era GM cars. I did find one chrome 59 buick clock housing on ebay that measure 2" high internally. Probably fit a 2 1/16 gauge in it. For free standing gauge pods, I think they'd look amazing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RivNut Posted January 20, 2019 Share Posted January 20, 2019 (edited) Clocks were standard equipment on the first generation Rivieras. If you didn't order a clock on one of the other full sized models, you got a filler in the clock space in the dash. That bezel is plain, no provision for a clock stem. Looks perfect for a small tach to be housed in one. Edited January 20, 2019 by RivNut (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsgun Posted January 21, 2019 Share Posted January 21, 2019 I didn't word my post well. I meant in adding additional gauges in "pods", like the buick tach on the top of the dash. I think it would be possible to add you own gauges on the dash, using older factory buick (or others) clock housings to keep that factory designed look. I'm in process of modifying one of those clock blanks actually. I cut the center out, and i'm mounting a Smiths dual gauge (oil pressure and water temp) behind it. Gotta figure out the mounting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RivNut Posted January 21, 2019 Share Posted January 21, 2019 The original owner of my '63 had 5 gauges installed in place of the ash tray. The mount was made from a piece of metal that had the same black pebble finish as the rest of the console. The gauges had their own switched light source. The ash tray lid would close covering them if so desired. In the picture that's posted below, I just put them back in to show how they fit. As I looked at it after the pictures were taken, I realized that the tach and the vacuum gauge were on the top row and the oil and temp gauges were on the bottom row. The green piece of tape shows where the light switch was, the pieces of red tape show where the mounting screws were. The pieces of blue tape shows where the top and bottom of the ash tray opening is. You could only see the faces of the two bottom gauges, They would still be in the car put when the positive post of my battery made contact with my hood and blew out the amp meter, I pulled them all and put the ashtray back in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsgun Posted January 21, 2019 Share Posted January 21, 2019 Really like that setup a lot. It looks like it was well thought out, with the short sweep gauges peeking out the bottom area. The vacuum is especially helpful. They're 2" gauges? The Smiths dual gauge to hold me over until I can save enough pennies to get the Autometer Prestige Black Diamond quad gauges. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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