1983 911 speedometer..

Anyone out there know what the original speedometer that came with my 1983 911sc read up to? I have heard that some came with the 85 mph speedo but mine has a 160 mph speedo. What gives?

Someone has changed your speedometer. I'm sorry, your car can only go 85mph.

Don't tell anyone, most people will think that it goes faster.

Sorry, couldn't resist that one

s

Mine is a very untampered-with stock vehicle with a 160 mph VDO speedo. It was cared for so it could have been given the upgrade, but I don't see it in the service records.

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'83 SC

Thank for the help, but did the come from the factory with an 85 mph speedo or a 160 mph speedo? Thanks again.

I understand your question. for a time, speedos were not allowed to go higher here in the land of the free. I didn't think this was the case in '83 but I don't really know at all. I'll look at my Owner's Manual, which is in english, but that may not be conclusive. Teenager wants to use the phone.

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'83 SC

My 83SC has the origional 160mph speedo

I really don't know when the 85 mph 'Idiot-speedo law' got repealed, but I just checked an '83 Z-28 Camaro, and it had the 85 mph speedo!

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Warren Hall
1973 911S Targa

My owners' manual, which could be using pictures from previous models has no real good, comprehensive photo of the dash. There is one curious photo of the upper right corner of the speedo, which shows 35mph pointing straight at the OXS light. This would SURELY be an 85 mph speedo.

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'83 SC

The 85 mph speedo law came into effect for the 1980 model year.
It was definately in effect for 80 and 81 model years.
I'm not certain when it was repealed, but think it was around 83/84. My GUESS, from remembering way back then, is that '83 model year cars came with the 85 mph speedos, per federal law. But, I don't recall for sure.
Replacing the early 80s 911 85 mph speedos was a big business back then, and LOTS of those cars had their speedos replaced or modified.
A lot of American car companies kept using 85 mph speedos even after the law was repealed. Porsche and BMW did not!

I have an original 82 SC with the 160 speedo. My father bought the car new in 81.

I gotta ask, has anyone actually still got an 85mph speedo? I mean, you would wind off it in third gear (I think), right. How frustrating.

I thought the Japanese market was bad enough for having 180kph (about 110mph) speedos (stupid in a twin turbo Supra, for example). 85mph is ridiculous, IMO.

Cam

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Cameron Baudinet
1975 911S

My '80 SC still has its original 85 MPH speedo, and I feel sorry for it every time I take my car to the track. The poor thing must be twisted around SO tightly!!!

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Greg Slater
1980 SC
gslater@uswest.net

I still have the stock 85mph speedo in my V8 S10 as sort of a joke. It gets burried bad running the quarter mile and doesn't shift into 4th (OD) untill well past 100 calculated mph. The real fun is to watch how FAST the needle wraps when running hard! You see it jump 5-10mph when hitting the next gear - what a riot! In the 911 the MOMO wheel blocks the speedo from 60-90 so I use the tach in both vehicles to guage speed.

From the 1974-1989 911 Authenticity Series book, by Mark S. Haab;
" U.S. federal law required the maximum range on speedometers be 85mph on all cars from 1979 through 1983."
He also notes;
"many owners of cars who had the limited version changed the units to 150 mph speedometers"

And from Peter Morgan's book Original Porsche 911;
"a new dial for U.S. cars arrived for the 1980 model year and read to only 85 mph."
And (This is the good part)
"from April 1983 . . . 160 mph speedometers standard in all models."
So 1983 got some of each!

I was very up on this when I was looking for my first 911sc. . . .seeing a 160 mph speedometer, showing 67,000 miles on a car with a beat up interior, and on its second paint job. . . .and the owner saying "actual miles!" Ha!

81sc w/150mph speedo. . .and records & condition!

I have an 82...with an 85 speedo...

actually this was one of my top fix-it items...but now I really don't care...I would rather get sport seats and pre 74 exhaust...

Plus...I am concentrating in RPM and gear...this is starting to take the place of my MPH mentality...not that my car is a race car or anything...but most Race cars don't have speedos and drivers just concentrate on RPM and gear....just my .02

My 83 has 160.

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Robert Stoll
83 SC
83 944

My '81 has a 150. Some of you mentioned 160. Am I being shorted 10mph?



John
'81SC Targa

My '81 has a 150. Some of you mentioned 160. Am I being shorted 10mph?



John
'81SC Targa