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1955 Beck Fuel gauge

Posted: Fri Mar 31, 2017 9:43 am
by Tom Coughlin
Based on Dr. Johnson's revised edition ('97) it appears that all '55 dashboards had the hole for the gauge and that the VDO gauge came at coupe 53527 and Cab. 60816. Before that the Beck guage was it.
He also tells us that in the early 1950's the Beck aftermarket gauge showed 1/4 to 1 and the OEM 2 to 14. My question relates to how the gauges are labelled that the factory installed in the cars built before the switch to the VDO.
My '55 (53466) is 1/4 to 1.

Does anybody have a '55 car in the range for Beck gauges that they suspect (or even better, Know) to be correct? If so, what numbers are on it?

Re: 1955 Beck Fuel gauge

Posted: Fri Mar 31, 2017 10:03 am
by James Davies
Hi Tom,

I think the late Beck gauges used through coupe 53526 and cab 60815 had FUEL and KRAFTSTOFF on them, and the 1/4, 1/2, 3/4 and 1 markings. Earlier gauges used 1952 through 1954 had earlier Beck logos, gallon markings, liter markings, or a combo gallon/liter marking, etc. Here's a photo of the late one. I believe this is the one your car has, right?

Re: 1955 Beck Fuel gauge

Posted: Fri Mar 31, 2017 1:44 pm
by Tom Coughlin
James: You are right on, that is exactly what mine looks like. I always thought that mine was most likely original so I'm glad that it is.

On another subject, I'm awaiting pictures of you driving yours. KTF, TLC

Re: 1955 Beck Fuel gauge

Posted: Fri Mar 31, 2017 2:04 pm
by Phil Planck
53248 had the gauge James shows.

Re: 1955 Beck Fuel gauge

Posted: Fri Mar 31, 2017 10:00 pm
by Spencer Harris
Original gauges (minus the hoods) #53449, May 10, '55.
30DSC_0211.jpg

Re: 1955 Beck Fuel gauge

Posted: Thu Apr 06, 2017 10:46 pm
by James Davies
Hey, everyone agrees here on an authenticity question! How rare is that in the pre-A forum?! :D

Re: 1955 Beck Fuel gauge

Posted: Fri Apr 28, 2017 10:23 am
by Tom Coughlin
Hot damned!

I don't know how rare it is that we all agree but I'm happy that something I long suspected and believed had to be correct is in fact correct. Tom

Re: 1955 Beck Fuel gauge

Posted: Sat Apr 29, 2017 10:26 pm
by James Davies
Tom, you can send the errata note to Brett Johnson for the next addition of his book. =D