Some info on gauges and AR chrome trim rings...

[DrObnxs]

Hi all, I'm working on a 74 Spider, and like all unrestored cars, the gauges needed some help. I bought the AR chrome trim rings, but found that the job was a bit more intense than I'd anticipated. I live near Palo Alto Speedometer, so took them down for installation. (FWIW, they'll clean up your gauges at a cost of about $70 per)

There are threads on this, but I thought I'd pass on what I learned. PA Speedo has the proper stuff to put bezels onto old gauges. All the fittings and the roller bearing tooling to properly bend the bezels. But they couldn't do it with the AR rings. They are way too stiff. Most of the bezels they install are annealed metal and bend much more easily. What they did do was cut some small tabs and bent them over. They called me to talk about it and I was OK with the job as they did it.

One other item I thought I'd pass along. The FIAT gauges are pretty bulletproof. They are starting to be cannibalized to repair other old car gauges. So hold onto your extras, as they will start to disappear. For example, I saw a set of early lambo gauges on Craigslist for $4500.00!!!!!! At that price, I'd think about gutting a FIAT gauge for a repair myself.

[pwilliam]

For future reference I used a strong silicon to adhere the AR bezels to the gauges - no bending required. No issues with over 10k miles on them.

[DrObnxs]

I thought about that but didn't want to use a glue. I think you might have done the right thing though, as the bezels would look better.