Early Austin Speedos

[Tim]

I didn't know any minis had a trip meter? The rest of it looks exactly like my Traveller's.

Tim

[nick rogers]

I have 3 trip speedos in my collection, a silver 90 like the one shown, a NOS 100mph Cooper one and a 120 Cooper S one. I would be interested to know if they made any KPH trip speedos for mk1's.

[Spider]

I have to say, that I don't know much about the Trip Meter being fitted, though I have seen a couple of others in my time.

Nick, do you know if it was offered as an option, or an SPO, or just how it was that there are a few about? I think they did some for some of the Works Cars as well.

[nick rogers]

I have not been able to find out when and why they were fitted to standard cars.I understand why works cars had them but why 850's ? I know of a black 90mph with trip that Will Grant had, plus I foolishly sold a cream Austin one with a trip. It may be coincidence but 2 of mine actually came from Canada. Maybe Craig or one of the other Canadians can shed some light.
Mk 1 speedos offer huge opportunities for research as I have found.

[Spider]

Thanks Nick. Since my last posting, I did have a look through a number of our local parts books (some dating way back) as well as some early UK ones and even the ST Brochures, I didn't find them listed nor any reference to them at all.

Why in an 850? Damn good question. The 850 that that came out of was a full import here. According to Heritage papers, from the factory, it was dispatched directly to Nuffield Exports, it would seem to come out here. There has been a few suggestions and hints that this was one of 4 bought in to the country by our local factory for them to 'play around with' prior to local production starting, so it may have something to do with that. This is not confirmed though.

I was also sent this photo a short while ago, it's only a bitsa though;-

[Tim]

Interesting, I wonder where the shaft for resetting it stuck out of the binnacle?

Tim

[Spider]

Well, this is the back-side of the 850 speedo



I'll ask him were the reset actually was.

edit> Tim, I seem to recall that this one came around under the pacel tray. It's a cable type that you'd need to turn to reset, not like these modern push types. I think the MGB ones were also like this.

[minimk1man]

I have not been able to find out when and why they were fitted to standard cars.I understand why works cars had them but why 850's ?

There were six 850 works cars built in 1959 and used on the 1959 RAC rally and 1960 Monte amongst other events. 3 Austin's and 3 Morris's. Maybe they could have had them fitted.

[850man]

Trip meter Smiths speedos were fitted to lots of cars, Jags, Triumphs, Wolsleys etc. lots on Mini speedos too, including the works cars. I have not seen one factory fitted to an Australian Mini, but I am sure they were available.
I made one a while ago for my "works" Riley Elf, its not perfect but it will do.

[steve1071]

Gary, pics of my speedo;







It needs a new chrome bezel, but have seen them on ebay at £15. Someone has wrote 'reversing light' next to the green light. It might come off with some careful cleaning. I've not tested it but it looks to all move freely.

[gs.davies]

Thanks Steve, I've PM'd you..

[steve1071]

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[surf-blue-850]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1959-1961-Cre ... 2593499d52