"redesigned" gauges for '59?

[CHEV66JB]

I keep reading that in 1959, the gauges were supposedly "redesigned" for less glare and better clarity. Is this true? Does anyone have a comparison photo to show what actually looks different between the '59 gauges and earlier?

Thanks,

Jim (CHEV66JB)

 

[MinnesotaPaul]

Jim,

I belive the redesign was in the bezel that covers the gauge. In '59 they started making them concave to reduce glare.

Paul

 

[SebringBill]

In addition to the gauge lens change the markings were changed from dots to dashes.

 

[andy60]

Also, the tach had a hour meter?

 

[JohnZ]

'58 was the last year for the "cumulative revolutions counter" (not an hour meter) in the tach. '59 gauge needles had parallel sides with a rounded end, and in '60 they changed to tapered with a pointed end.

 

[andy60]

That is why I replied with a ? Did the rev counter keep count of crank revolutions?

 

[JohnZ]

Yup - it counted total crankshaft revolutions since the car was new; don't ask why someone thought that was important, but it started with the '53 and continued through '58.
:eyerole

 

[JOliver]

The 58s had plastic faces with dots..the plastic was the cause of the "glare" the 59s went to a metal pan painted black with slant hash marks ...this was what cut the glare.

also 58 HIGH RPM tachs didn't get the rev counter ...53-58(lows)
Jason
VetteInstruments@aol.com