Packard Forum Index » Pre-War (1899-1942)

I have to know, is this speedometer with the RPM only for V12 models? If so, I imagine it'll be expensive as heck. But, I'd still love to have one, it'd be perfect for my Speedster.

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Yes, Twelve only.

How does it work?

Owen probably knows the answer but just for fun I am guessing that unless the outer rpm ring turned counter clockwise it looks as though the rpm/mph ratio is simply marked on the dial for 3rd gear operation only e.g. 55mph=2500rpm. Could be wrong but that is my guess unless there is another needle hiding in there somewhere . If this is right Packard must have had different dials for each differential ratio.

I think there's actually two needles on there, think minute hand and second hand on a clock. If you look REALLY closely, I think I see the two seperate needles, the skinny one on top is probably for the RPM, as it looks red to me. You have to look right at the line where the black and the white meet, where the needle is, and you can see the red tip of the other needle sticking past.


Anyway, I'm betting that the tach is cable drive. It sure would be neat to have one of those converted to electric and installed in the '34 dash that I'm putting in my Speedster. It solves the problem of where I'm going to put a tach, as I want to keep the original clock in it's place, but I don't want to mount the tach on the steering column or make any extra holes in the dash.

Wasnt there a thread on here awhile back about the Tachs being driven via a cable that attached to the back on the generator?

Kevin, these V12 units aren't real tachs but simply speedometers with a scale of rpms printed around the face to show engine revs in high gear. There are a few Packards around with real tachometers that were perhaps some sort of later option though I haven't researched it. But not this one.

Very interesting!

Owen, Do you know if there were different dial faces to allow for the optional differential gears or was there only one dial face?

I don't have my Twelve parts book handy, but as I remember there was a faceplate for each rear axle ratio.