Instruments for 1978 450SLC

[MartinS]

This is my first post here so perhaps I should introduce myself. I live in Bangkok Thailand, have been here for seven and a half years, my wife is Thai and we have two small children. I am originally from the UK but haven't lived there for almost ten years.

Here is my question, hope somebody can help.

I am currently using a 1978 450SLC that belongs to a very good friend of mine. The car is ex-UK and has had a total restoration over the last couple of years. Now almost completed it is back on the road and he has asked me to use it for a few weeks to appraise it. He knows I'm a critical sort.

One of my first impressions is that the instruments need to be replaced. The dials are faded and the meter pointers are all different shades of yellow or orange. The perspex cover is severly crazed as well.

Is a set of instruments something that can be obtained? I know that the owner will happily pay whatever it takes to complete the restoration to a high standard.

Any help greatly appreciated, thanks
Martin

 

[Myros]

ebay, the universal answer

I have seen instrument clusters on ebay. try uk and German versions. You should be able to change the dial from your mph version to a kph version, as long as the absolute range of the meter is the same.
Also breakers such as Mercman, Dronsfields or PCMerccentre will strip and ship to you. The needles can be restored with the right shade of highlighter or marker pen, if you are careful. The Perspex can be restored with various proprietary products such as Hindsight. A very fine metal polish such as Peek can also work wonders on perspex scratches.
You could probaly get a complete i/c from Dronsfields for not much more than £120, plus shipping. They have some in for the mechanical speedo version, I know, I saw one last week.

Good luck