Hey everyone. Have a weird question(to me anyway). Why on my ‘72 Larks speedometer are the 10, 110, & 120 M.P.H. numbers reversed/backwards? I’ve seen other speedos from models and years & the numbers are in the correct direction, though the Buick’s seem different. Any history/info as always is appreciated. Kyle
Below the "9 o'clock" position, the orientation is correct to the viewer. This is because of the layout of the numerals. They are "grounded" along the arc, rather than "grounded" at the base of the numbers all the way around. (as below)
LOL, I've wondered that too, it does look backwards/weird, but if you kinda study the reasoning behind it, as Michael explained, it makes sense. It still looks weird tho
Funny, as I had noticed the "110" & "120" mph, but never noticed the "10". Will have to look at mine!
Will always look weird to me. For me it looks more correct like the picture Mike posted. Wonder why Buick decided to do it & why it never stayed that way. Kyle
The '73 - '76 Century/Regal speedometers do the same thing, except the '75 & '76 speedos go to 100mph, so the 90 & 100 are the last two on the scale and turned "right side up".
I had never noticed the "10" either, and now it's driving me nuts. The others look fine.......cars like Aston Martins and other European vehicles where the tach and other gauges run counter-clockwise would really be weird to look at, I'd think.
I guess some people can't read numbers upside down. To me, round speedometers are similar to a clock face; after you get used to it you tell time and speed by the angle of the pointer(s) not by the numbers.
...cultural shift, no more quarter-past but 11:13...who thought those cheap digital clock chips would eventually take over...now, if they'd just keep 'em all in sync so I wouldn't have to reset after power outages...
