1971 Cuda Rallye dash ....Correct or not ?

[76orangewagon]

MY 71 Cuda' has a Rallye dash that I know is not original to the car, it is coded on the broadcast sheet for the standard gauge cluster. I'm debating if I want to restore it or put the car back to the original standard dash and my question is what is it really out of ? Through my research I see that 70-71 had the 8,000 RPM tachometer and trip odometer and clock set knob in the bezel housing. Mine has trip/clock knobs like the 72-74 style that go through the gauge but has the 8,000 RPM tach. The obvious answer is that someone just swapped out the tachometer and it's defiantly a 72-74 style, but could this be factory correct ? My car is a late April/early May 1971 build car and some things were transitioning to a 1972 model year could the Cuda' rallye dash be have been this way also and I just happen to have one?

 

[DetMatt1]

I'm guessing someone added the 8K tach to the later cluster. I don't think It hurts the value of the car to upgrade to the Rallye instrument cluster. I would make an effort to find the correct one for the year of the car though. I also don't think your car is late enough to have had any '72 parts on it.

 

[challenger6pak]

90% of the people who see your car will not know the difference.

 

[moparleo]

Does it have the proper dash light setup ? Should have 4 blue lenses.

 

[76orangewagon]

Does it have the proper dash light setup ? Should have 4 blue lenses.

I don't think when I added it 26 years ago when I owned the car the first time I swapped out the top panel but I can't swear to that.

 

[76orangewagon]

I'm guessing someone added the 8K tach to the later cluster. I don't think It hurts the value of the car to upgrade to the Rallye instrument cluster. I would make an effort to find the correct one for the year of the car though. I also don't think your car is late enough to have had any '72 parts on it.

I am leaning toward picking up a non-rallye cluster and putting it back the way it originally came.

 

[76orangewagon]

90% of the people who see your car will not know the difference.

That's true, heck I didn't know until now after doing a little research. But there's always that one guy at the car shows who will make it a point to mention it. I really want the car put back fairly close to original and will have to decide if I want to restore it or not. The Cuda is a very bare bones optioned car and the standard dash might just go better.

 

[RUNCHARGER]

I don't know if I could drive one of these cars looking at the standard cluster.

Sheldon

 

[challenger6pak]

I feel the speedometer is easier to see with the standard cluster.

 

[challenger6pak]

Most people think a Cuda came with a rallye cluster. Did yours have the black or the woodgrain standard cluster? If you go standard cluster don't get a 70 Challenger standard cluster. They look the same without the bezel but mount differently. The one guy will find something else wrong with the car. Tell him to take a hike.

 

[aussiemark]

You could put the standard cluster back in and add an original clock or a Redline gauge works tacho or oil pressure gauge in the fourth pod hole in place of the blank off plate.

 

[DetMatt1]

I changed out the standard cluster for a Rallye in my convertible even though the car was originally a standard cluster, flat hood car. Long ago the Rallye hood and T/A spoiler were added and it always had the longitudinal stripes. The standard cluster just always seemed out of place to me on my car.

 

[76orangewagon]

If the cluster was a correct piece for the car I would have less of a problem spending the money to have it restored... but since it is definitely the wrong one for the year of the car I think I may feel better selling this one and use the $$$ to buy and restore something correct.

 

[rolling_thunder]

Not my car but I actually like the standard cluster.... I would go with original --- that being said it is your car - do what makes you happy

 

[quapman]

The Road Lamp switch should be under the dash with the rallye cluster as well. I personally like it better where you have it, but there's always that one guy...

 

[mmissile]

I like the standard cluster better. It looks more like real gauges and a speedo. The cheap woodgrain on the rallye cluster, doesn't do a thing for me.

 

[76orangewagon]

Okay folks,
I was looking around the internet today and found this little bit of information from Performance Car Graphics...Thoughts ? Do I really have a late dash as indicated here or not I guess ill have to pull it out and look for some numbers...

 

[Moparparts]

I have a nice used 71 Cuda standard dash cluster. Message me if interested