The Ford Barn

1930-Pickup · 11-08-2017, 11:14 PM

I feel pretty stupid when I'm walking around a swap meet looking for a decent original factory-issued amperes gauge...because I don't know what they look like

No, I'm not talking about the basic size, or style, or even what's printed on the face. Rather, there are some subtle changes between the originals and the many types of after-market gauges that are floating around out there.

Some have writing on the back, some don't.
Some have two square holes in the back, some don't.
Some use aluminum colored indicators, others are white.
Some have subtle differences in the font of the printed face.
Some faces are aluminum, some are heavy paper.
There are several variations of the bezel.

Some photos would be very helpful. Many Thanks!

mhsprecher · 11-09-2017, 03:28 AM

This doesn't really answer your question the way you posed it, but have you looked at the Restoration Guidelines? Maybe you have and want more than they provide. They do describe what an original gauge looks like and have two photos that show differences between the two styles of gauges.

Paraphrased from the RS & JS:

There were two styles of lettering. The face plate was either zinc or aluminum and the lettering was the base aluminum or zinc, not white. The background of the face plate was a satin black (actually a black nickel plate finish). There was no Ford script. The bezel is bright nickel plated brass. All ammeters had a raised bead next to the glass face. The pointer came in two different styles and may appear brighter than the scale on the face. The inside of the case behind the pointer was satin black. The ammeter should fit flat against the instrument panel.

The Restoration Guidelines and Judging Standards are an invaluable resource for all Model A owners.

P.S. · 11-09-2017, 10:57 AM

Repro on the left. Originals center and right.

d.j. moordigian · 11-09-2017, 11:10 AM

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...otos&showall=1

1930-Pickup · 11-09-2017, 01:39 PM

Thanks to everyone! This has been very informative

It's interesting to see how important the key words are in a search. My search heavily favored "Amperes" (as it says on the gauge), while this thread and the referenced link favored "Ammeter" (probably a more common term used today). Other search possibilities are "Amp" and "Amps".

iverson · 11-09-2017, 05:26 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Here's a pic of our 28 I believe it's the original

iverson · 11-09-2017, 05:35 PM

Try again

11-08-2017, 11:14 PM	#1
1930-Pickup Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: southern California Posts: 725	Does Someone Have Photos Of An ORIGINAL Amperes Gauge? I feel pretty stupid when I'm walking around a swap meet looking for a decent original factory-issued amperes gauge...because I don't know what they look like No, I'm not talking about the basic size, or style, or even what's printed on the face. Rather, there are some subtle changes between the originals and the many types of after-market gauges that are floating around out there. Some have writing on the back, some don't. Some have two square holes in the back, some don't. Some use aluminum colored indicators, others are white. Some have subtle differences in the font of the printed face. Some faces are aluminum, some are heavy paper. There are several variations of the bezel. Some photos would be very helpful. Many Thanks! __________________ *"That's my wild unsubstantiated guess, and I'm sticking to it regardless of the facts!"*

11-09-2017, 03:28 AM	#2
mhsprecher Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Takoma Park, MD Posts: 2,817	Re: Does Someone Have Photos Of An ORIGINAL Amperes Gauge? This doesn't really answer your question the way you posed it, but have you looked at the Restoration Guidelines? Maybe you have and want more than they provide. They do describe what an original gauge looks like and have two photos that show differences between the two styles of gauges. Paraphrased from the RS & JS: There were two styles of lettering. The face plate was either zinc or aluminum and the lettering was the base aluminum or zinc, not white. The background of the face plate was a satin black (actually a black nickel plate finish). There was no Ford script. The bezel is bright nickel plated brass. All ammeters had a raised bead next to the glass face. The pointer came in two different styles and may appear brighter than the scale on the face. The inside of the case behind the pointer was satin black. The ammeter should fit flat against the instrument panel. The Restoration Guidelines and Judging Standards are an invaluable resource for all Model A owners.

11-09-2017, 11:10 AM	#4
d.j. moordigian Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Fresno, Ca. Posts: 3,636	Re: Does Someone Have Photos Of An ORIGINAL Amperes Gauge? https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...otos&showall=1

11-09-2017, 01:39 PM	#5
1930-Pickup Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: southern California Posts: 725	Re: Does Someone Have Photos Of An ORIGINAL Amperes Gauge? Thanks to everyone! This has been very informative It's interesting to see how important the key words are in a search. My search heavily favored "Amperes" (as it says on the gauge), while this thread and the referenced link favored "Ammeter" (probably a more common term used today). Other search possibilities are "Amp" and "Amps". __________________ *"That's my wild unsubstantiated guess, and I'm sticking to it regardless of the facts!"*