Ladies and Gentlemen, I have a question I would like to see if it could be answered. I have been looking for a set of Rally Gauges for my 1972 Cutlass.I have found 2 sets at very reasonable prices. They are original sets but need some work done to them. My quandary is Parts Place has reproduction gauges for around the same price.I have always been afraid of reproduction parts from China. Some people I talk to said don't buy them. Then there are others that can't say enough good things about them like more accurate. So I thought I would leave it up to all of you wonderful bright people on Classic Oldsmobile. Good Luck Everyone JIM

 

The big question is...what do you plan to do with your Olds? Is this a show car or a driver? What is your budget, available time and experience level at in working on the gauges?

I know that's more that one question but it really comes down to personal preference. I would replace the gauges, but keep the originals to work on when I have the time. But then, mine is a cruiser, not a show car and everything I do to it is just to make it easier and more enjoyable to drive on as regular a basis as possible.

 

I have restored many sets of these along with the interior rear view mirrors & have found that most original tachometers are not very accurate. They can be adjusted to be close in a certain rpm range but from what I've seen are then off in the other end of the range. So sometimes they can be made to be correct at or near idle but are off at 3-5k or the other way around. Not trying to bash the original stuff but the technology is about 50 years old at this point. Sometimes that's good & sometimes not.