Dealer-installed Mopar Vacuum Gauge???

[richf]

https://newjersey.craigslist.org/pts/5964811731.html
Anyone's thoughts on this gauge? I could only find one expired ebay ad that claimed it was one of the rarest Mopar gauges ever made.  Is $300 nuts or is it a reasonable deal? The seller is located about 20 minutes away from me.

[70 sublime]

I have a factory vacuum gauge sitting here right by my computer
Looks a little different as mine is all chrome (no black)
Came with the first Charger I ever bought many years ago

If you have a top console plate for a 68 69 70 B body just turn it over and you can see a spot molded into the plate that just needs to be punched out to mount the gauge 
So it must have been an option just do not know why there are not many out there

Will it make your car worth $300 more if you have it ?
I doubt it
Will it be cool to have and talk to others about ? Yes 

[richf]

I have a factory vacuum gauge sitting here right by my computer
Looks a little different as mine is all chrome (no black)
Came with the first Charger I ever bought many years ago

If you have a top console plate for a 68 69 70 B body just turn it over and you can see a spot molded into the plate that just needs to be punched out to mount the gauge 
So it must have been an option just do not know why there are not many out there

Will it make your car worth $300 more if you have it ?
I doubt it
Will it be cool to have and talk to others about ? Yes 

Thank a lot Sublime 70, I just checked my console plate and saw the spot you mentioned. I was leaning towards buying it and you just pushed me over the edge  if I get it I'll post pictures here!

[tan top]

 

[tan top]

 

[70 sublime]

Not my picture but this is what mine looks like

You can see it has a peg and the underside of the console plate has an arc groove to it so you can swivel it some when mounted

[Troy]

They were optional equipment from the factory on 66-67 Chargers. That is likely why the console top plate has a locating spot for it. I don't know anything about the dealer available parts though.

Troy

[HANDM]

Yikes! I literally let two of those go with a 66 new yorker full of parts to the junkyard about twenty years ago. I only took the 440 and tranny and junked the rest. Along with a triple black 383 4 barrel Charger that a tree fell on and a rolled  all original low mile 318 triple green 74 Challenger ...... Young and VERY stupid I was! 

[A383Wing]

They were optional equipment from the factory on 66-67 Chargers. That is likely why the console top plate has a locating spot for it. I don't know anything about the dealer available parts though.

Troy

The factory clocks for the 66 & 67 Chargers were mounted on the console, although the vacuum gauge was optional, not many got them installed in the first generation Chargers

The gauge posted by 70 sublime is the most common one out there, and yea, they bring a hefty price if in good condition

[richf]

That's pretty interesting stuff guys, I'm amazed at the wealth of knowledge available here on this forum. I'm looking forward to possibly getting the gauge!

[richf]

I've emailed the owner, he is out of state for 2 weeks, but when I see him I'll be sure to post here about it

[moparfan53]

 The '69 dealer accessory catalog shows the black one. $24.95 seems cheap now, but back then probably did not seem so.

The description made me smile. Is for the "economy minded motorist" AND the "speed enthusiast". 

 

[moparfan53]

 
The '70 and '71 accessories catalogs both show the black gauge. No vacuum gauges shown in later years, only tachs.

Maybe the black ones are dealer installed/sold accessory ones, and chrome ones are factory installed? 

Images are from Barry Washington's great site;  www.hamtramck-historical.com

[richf]

The '70 and '71 accessories catalogs both show the black gauge. No vacuum gauges shown in later years, only tachs.

Maybe the black ones are dealer installed/sold accessory ones, and chrome ones are factory installed? 

That sounds like a reasonable guess, especially considering the gauge for sale was manufactured in 1968 and still available for 70/71 it doesn't appear that the black gauge or chrome gauge were sold different years

[Dans 68]

If you want the correct one (for a '68-'70 Charger) make sure the scale goes up to 30-inches Mercury (and not 25). tan top posted the correct pics.  

Dan

[richf]

If you want the correct one (for a '68-'70 Charger) make sure the scale goes up to 30-inches Mercury (and not 25). tan top posted the correct pics.  

Dan

Awesome, my car is a '68!

[richf]

Well guys I picked up the gauge yesterday! My Charger isn't running as of right now so I won't be installing it right away, but by sucking on the vacuum tube one can see it works fine

[70 sublime]

Cool  well all but maybe the last picture beside the FORD steering wheel 

[richf]

  True