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Followup To
Question -
I live in Ohio. My 1980 Spitfire is fitted with an 80 MPH speedometer. Comm. # is TFVDW2AT004830, engine # is FM133198UCE. I'm trying to find out if this is the original speedometer. Thank you for your time. Rob Wise
Answer -
Rob,
On the speedometer face there should be a marking just above the centerline that says something like "SNT 6211/16".
One reference lists the same speedometer for the '75-'80 vintage cars while another source has a break at VIN # 000005. The earlier cars came equipped with a 120mph speedometer but it's possible that Triumph finally caught up with the federally mandated 85mph speedometer requirement.
I can research some more to see if it's an appropriate speedometer for that year. It'd help if you could give me the actual part number of the guage (from the face, the "SNT" number).
Is the question about authenticity or about the speedometer not showing a correct speed? If the speed reading is off it could be an issue of a non-standard differential ratio.
Cheers,
Jim
Jim-Thanks for reply. Number on face is SNT 6211/16 1000. My '79 parts car has the 120 MPH with #SNT6211/125 1000, but engine # denotes Federal specs, while my "80 denotes Ca. specs. I wonder if that is the difference? I'm just checking for authenticity. The car has oversized tires on Panasport wheels, so I know the reading is off a little. Rob Wise
AnswerRob,
I haven't been able to find anything in my archives that definitively answers this question.
There are several things I can think of to pursue this further.
1) Request a British Motor Heritage certificate for your car. They can be found (sometimes) at http://www.heritage.org.uk/
2) Chat with the Spitfire Vehicle Consultant at the VTR (www.vtr.org).
3) Consult the International Spitfire Database and see if you can track down other owners with cars in your VIN range. The Database is at http://members.cox.net/spitlist/index.html
Sorry I can't give you a more definitive answer.
Cheers,
Jim
