The Holy Grail - A GENUINE AMG 6.9 Instrument Cluster (0-300kmhr) on EBAY

[AMG69]

Here it is. 

the genuine 0-300 kmhr speedo cluster for an AMG 6.9.  As shown on the one at The Classic Centre in Germany. Probably one of the rarest AMG pieces of all time.


  I looked all over the World for one of these when I had what is now Bill's (WGB) AMG 6.9 and never found one.  They must be rarer than rocking horse poo. And the price? OH - MY - LORD. $US1,995.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Mercedes-450SEL-6-9-AMG-INSTRUMENT-CLUSTER-Rare_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33675QQihZ002QQitemZ120222896938QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

[CraigS]

Well, I don't think I will be buying it any time soon - but interesting that the fuel and water gauges are in English, but the oil pressure in German.

[Andrew280SEL]

[..] but interesting that the fuel and water gauges are in English, but the oil pressure in German.

Hmm, I'm pretty sure most of our W116's here are the same...except for my dad's blue 450SEL, which has 'oil' instead of 'oel'.

[koan]

It doesn't have the headlight warning buzzer on the back, don't know if that's a problem for anyone intending a straight swap.

The statement "it will fit other W116 and we believe the W107 applications" should also say "but it won't indicate the correct speed".

Wonder what it'll sell for.

koan

[oscar]

Gotta say all mine have "temp, tank and oel" too, though I had to go check to make sure.  Craig's post made me think what's supposed to be there.  So, going back to mforcer's pics of the classic centre's AMG 6.9.  Instead of "temp, tank and oel" there's just three icons instead. http://gallery.w116.org/v/show_room/classic_centre/CIMG0405.jpg/  Then again, sclass' AMG has "tank, temp and oel" http://gallery.w116.org/v/show_room/116036+no2/DSCN3855.JPG/

I think the problem lies with no two AMG 6.9's being the same or no strict rules of what minor bits were used from other w116's.  I thought it strange that the rpm and temp gauge red markings were red and the speedo orange.  That's normal too.  I've been use to seeing my 350's repainted orange/red bits on the cluster and forgetting that they were different.  Though the speedo markings tend to fade more.

I also find it remarkable that you AMG69 would be the one to find this rare spare considering you sold yours how long ago now?  Me thinks you'll be a 6.9 owner once again before too long.

[WGB]

Great find Chris - too rich for me.

I have kept a copy of the pictures and it may be possible to find a printer to copy the face and put it into a suitably re-calibrated speedo for a lot less than $2,000 US.

Maybe a work in progress.

By the way what is the warning light between the Brake wear light and the suspension light?

Bill

[oscar]

I think that's a seat belt warning light

[CraigS]

Gotta say all mine have "temp, tank and oel" too, though I had to go check to make sure.  Craig's post made me think what's supposed to be there.  So, going back to mforcer's pics of the classic centre's AMG 6.9.  Instead of "temp, tank and oel" there's just three icons instead.

Just noticed on #7114 that mine are icons only. Not sure about the others.

[oscar]

Must have been a later year thing, or one of those changes along the line.  Similarly, whilst trying to find images of another cluster with "Seat Belts" written on it, rather than words I found a 300sd with an icon of a person sitting in a chair with seat belt on.  Another little change along the way.

BTW,
how about these WGB?  Click for bigger pic.  Not noticeable at first to me was the fact that the photos naturally have camera lens optical distortion.  So I stopped trying to improve them and adding shift points.  I think someone would have to draw one from scratch to make a copy perfect. 

[s class]

Gee Oscar - did you make up those sketches?  Very impressive. 

[WGB]

Great Try Oscar - I think you may have started something here.

I will spend some time looking for instrument makers.

I have seen somewhere in the States that they re-manufacture speedo faces - I am sure they can start from scratch with modern computer Technology.

Or even worse maybe that is what they have already done and this expensive cluster is only a copy - there is no part number on the Speedo face.

Bill

[AMG69]

Oscar, just dreaming at present!!   

[oscar]

It's just good to see you maintain interest

Michel, I'll be over there for an interview tomorrow

All I did with those pics is add a few contrast, brightness, masking, cut, copy  and paste tricks with photoshop.  Nothing too fancy, but whilst the full res pics look fab on my computer, they're not perfect like I said due to the distortion of the original pic.  I wouldn't mind having a go at the artwork from scratch though then email anyone a .psd file with transparent background if interested.

As far as applying it to a speedo face, any ideas?  Only an Alps printer pints white I think and you could use an iron on transfer film maybe.  I've tried to etch brass before trying to make a badge and failed miserably using a laser printer and iron on blue film.  My wife's been looking at a craft provo machine which can cut any computer design into material like paper or cardboard.  Thus you could theoretically cut out a mask for painting the AMG speedo on. 

But I think the easiest way would be to get a decal printer/manufacturer to do a water slide transfer.  Now if only there was a simple drop-in Lego cog replacement to make the average w116 speedo read correctly.

[Andrew280SEL]

I think having re-pros made up would be pretty darn awesome - if only for the novelty of having an AMG speedo.

Calibration would be a bit of a bother I guess though.

[koan]

As far as applying it to a speedo face, any ideas?  Only an Alps printer pints white I think and you could use an iron on transfer film maybe.

Wouldn't a silk screen be the way to go? Years ago I had a friend into silk screen printing of all kinds of things. The screen material, probably not silk, was coated with some photo sensitive material that was exposed to the design, in the developing process some areas washed away and others became solid.

The first problem is to remove the existing markings from the dial and restore the even matte black finish. Watch makers and repairers use some sort of special paint.

My wife's been looking at a craft provo machine which can cut any computer design into material like paper or cardboard.

Something to be encouraged oscar, I sure she absolutely needs it, just make sure the machine can accommodate paper and cork gasket material.

Now if only there was a simple drop-in Lego cog replacement to make the average w116 speedo read correctly.

All you need are the gears from the existing speedo that matches your rear end ratio, this makes the odometer correct, the analogue needle position is recalibrated with spring tension.

koan