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VW Beetle (and possibly others) Speedometer MPH --> KPH Conversion Sticker
CaptainKman - December 17th, 2014 at 06:40 PM

Hello everyone,

I'm seventeen and a Learner driver and I am getting a 60's (aiming for '64) Beetle as my first car next year.

Most of you probably know that the speedometer in Volkswagens of that time period was only available showing MPH. Since I'm a learner driver I'd like to be able to have KPH readily available for me to look at and check while driving.

So, I've been working on an image that can be printed out onto a clear sticker and then stuck over the speedometer of a 60's beetle to give a clear indication of speed in KPH instead of MPH. It also removes the need to replace the speedometer backplate or the whole unit.

As I do not have a VW of my own just yet, I was wondering if some kind souls would be able to tell me the dimensions of the speedometer of an early to mid 60's Beetle (so that I may scale it correctly) and also give the sheet a try to determine its accuracy and judge if it is safe to use.

A copy of the speedometer sticker as a PNG is attached to this post.

Just out of interest, would this speedometer sticker work for other periods and types of VW such as Kombis?

Thanks for reading and for any assistance you can provide. :)

Kieran.

(Notes for lining it up:
40kph lines up with 25mph
80kph lines up with 50mph
130kph lines up with 80mph.)

donn - December 18th, 2014 at 09:46 AM

Hi Kieran, it's been done before but why not get a KMPH speedo, it would save a deal of work, but then some of us just like doing it ourself, solving the problem so we can point to our own solution, that may be what you want to do, if not check this link, a pic is on the post of the 16th, cheap as !
Don



http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=107914 

CaptainKman - December 18th, 2014 at 10:03 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by donn
Hi Kieran, it's been done before but why not get a KMPH speedo, it would save a deal of work, but then some of us just like doing it ourself, solving the problem so we can point to our own solution, that may be what you want to do, if not check this link, a pic is on the post of the 16th, cheap as !
Don



http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=107914 


Hi and thanks for the link,

When I get my own Bug I'd rather not have to replace parts. A sticker on the glass maintains the car's originality and is much more easily reversed. For me, originality is key.

I realise it's probably been done before but I still felt like doing my own as I couldn't find much evidence of there being any commercially available Beetle KPH stickers.

Thanks for your reply.

Kieran.

Joel - December 18th, 2014 at 12:26 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by CaptainKman
I couldn't find much evidence of there being any commercially available Beetle KPH stickers.


They have been around as long as what the cars have.
Most VW shops would have them.


http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa28/in2vws_com/AVD/IMG_6388.jpg

CaptainKman - December 18th, 2014 at 12:44 PM

Thanks for the correction. I may need to brush up on my Google skills....

It certainly doesn't hurt to have more variations/types available.

Kieran.

ptjcmaavw - February 20th, 2015 at 03:58 PM

There is a guy in Brisbane that does them. I saw them on Buying, Selling and Swapping Parts forum.

Timothy_N-F - February 20th, 2015 at 09:36 PM

That's a sweet looking bug, Kieran ;)

barls - February 20th, 2015 at 09:57 PM

i got warb to make me up a stack ages ago. i found the black on a black face was useless at night.
so i get the batch made white.

CaptainKman - February 22nd, 2015 at 09:57 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Timothy_N-F
That's a sweet looking bug, Kieran ;)

Timothy; you are on here! :D

I can change the image if you want....the problem is that I don't have anything to change it to!

(For anyone reading who hasn't noticed, my avatar is also of Timothy's car as he drove me to my Graduation/Formal in it at the end of last year. I also don't have my own Vee-Dub yet. I'd like a '64 Beetle but I'm not actively searching at the moment.)

@ ptjcmaavw;
Yes, I saw that thread. It was this thread that inspired that one and I've decided to just buy one of the reproductions from him (Denver) instead of making my own.

Now I know where I can find a reproduction to purchase when the time comes. :D

Kieran.

Timothy_N-F - February 23rd, 2015 at 09:59 PM

Not at all, no need to change it! It's a good pic actually :lol: I just joined, a mate of mine (Joel, he's on here) showed me your pic and asked if I knew you or if you were just using a pic of my car, so I thought "what the hell, I'll join this forum too" :blush:

beetleboyjeff - February 23rd, 2015 at 10:22 PM

Welcome Timothy.

I see your posts on SBO.

CaptainKman - February 24th, 2015 at 06:39 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Timothy_N-F
It's a good pic actually :lol:

Well, your opinion of the picture is rather biased, don't you think? ;)

Enjoy your stay here on these Forums. :)

I am sure that for the moment, you will find them more useful than I.

Kieran.

ptjcmaavw - February 24th, 2015 at 06:55 AM

Yes, i have one of Denvers, they work like magic.
Just like the originals in the picture that Joel posted...

Timothy_N-F - February 24th, 2015 at 08:12 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by beetleboyjeff
Welcome Timothy.

I see your posts on SBO.

Oh hi Jeff, good to see a familiar face around these parts!


Quote:
Originally posted by CaptainKman
Quote:
Originally posted by Timothy_N-F
It's a good pic actually :lol:

Well, your opinion of the picture is rather biased, don't you think? ;)
Enjoy your stay here on these Forums. :)

I am sure that for the moment, you will find them more useful than I.

Kieran.

Well yeah I guess so, haha. Thanks!