Was a hood tach available as dealer installed item on B Body Poncho?

Mondo Poncho · Addicted!

Was a hood tach available as dealer installed item on B Body Poncho?

4SPEED427 · A Poncho Legend!

When you say bought off the lot with a hood tach, you are meaning a factory installation on a Canadian Pontiac, or are you meaning as an accessory, dealer installed on a Canadian Pontiac.

My unprofessional opinion is no to factory, yes to a dealer accessory. Technically you could pay the dealer to install Hooker headers on your new car before you take it off the lot and that would qualify as a dealer installed accessory so pretty much the sky is the limit on those.

Mondo Poncho · Addicted!

Thanks Carl. I guess I mean dealer installed. I believe there were no "factory" hood tachs. Is there any proof that any were installed by a dealership? I see some B Body Ponchos with hood tachs here and there and wonder if that is "correct". To me, if I could have walked into a CDN Pontiac dealership in 1968 and bought a brand new 2+2 with a hood tach that the dealer installed- either at my request, or prior to any customer request, then that tach would be correct to the car and any 68 2+2 could be restored "correctly" with a hood tach. If you could only get a hood tach in a 68 2+2 by buying it after the fact and installing it like you would an aftermarket wing or spoiler or set of mag wheels, then that would not be correct in my opinion. I could see dealers adding a tach of some kind on these cars because they didn't have available in dash tachs. I also think it would be cool if hood tachs could be considered correct for 1967-69 B Body Ponchos. SS427 Impalas had the special domed hoods in 67/68, and if a hood tach were correct for a big block 2+2, then that would be another "unique" feature of our Ponchos that even the SS427 crowd couldn't equal. I just think that would be kinda "neat". However, when I see the hood tachs on the B Body Ponchos, it doesn't look natural to me. My opinion could change if I could prove a hood tach to be correct.

-- Edited by Mondo Poncho on Wednesday 25th of November 2015 02:37:04 PM

67Poncho · Uber Guru

My '70.... Not within the '67-'69 range but.......... To "tick" the specific box when ordering? I think not.... To add when the car arrived at the dealer? I'd say so.... Or, someone like me? Absolutely! (lolol)

-- Edited by 67Poncho on Wednesday 25th of November 2015 08:58:00 AM

CdnGMfan · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

Not optional from the factory for Canadian Pontiacs. The accessory book shows them as being for 250-260 series Pontiacs, which is code for saying U.S. Pontiacs. Canadian Pontiacs were 750-760 series.

Personally I think a proper hood tach would look right at home on a Canadian 67 Pontiac 2+2. They were using hood tachs on the 2+2 in the States, and the Canadian 2+2 looked so much like the U.S version that year. If I wanted a tach I don't think I would hesitate to put one of those hood tachs on. The horizontal speedo cluster doesn't lend itself well to a factory tachometer, and a strap-on one on the steering column, although functional and easily removable, just shouts universal aftermarket stuff on this car.

The 68 U.S. Big Pontiac brochure shows a neat 2-page spread of a maroon 428 4-speed Ventura convertible with a hood tachometer.

Pontiacanada · A Poncho Legend!

CdnGMfan wrote:
Personally I think a proper hood tach would look right at home on a Canadian 67 Pontiac 2+2. They were using hood tachs on the 2+2 in the States, and the Canadian 2+2 looked so much like the U.S version that year. If I wanted a tach I don't think I would hesitate to put one of those hood tachs on. The horizontal speedo cluster doesn't lend itself well to a factory tachometer, and a strap-on one on the steering column, although functional and easily removable, just shouts universal aftermarket stuff on this car.

Agreed.

GLHS60 · Poncho Master!

I see a tach listed as optional in the 1968 B body C.P. sales brochure, but have never seen one.

I always assumed it was somewhere around the dash or console.

Anyone ever see a 1968 B body Canadian Pontiac with any kind of factory tach??

Thanks
Randy

Mondo Poncho · Addicted!

Thanks for the info and opinions. I think the hood tach look very cool and they are a natural fit for our cars that didn't come with a tach. I would like to know if there is any hard evidence of dealer installed units, like maybe a purchase document of some kind. I can see why these hood tachs were not offered up here. I read somewhere that early versions leaked and fogged up. The Northern climate and the Canadian tendency at the time to be frugal when it came to options probably made it an easy decision- not to offer it. Still, I think they look awesome on a big car and really amp up the sport factor. I think I'd go for one if it fit my definition of "correct". Not that I necessarily have even decided yet exactly how correct is correct enough, if you know what I mean. I just wonder- would putting a hood tach on be equal to putting 8 lug wheels on a CDN Pontiac? Maybe it looks great and maybe a dealer could find a way to make it happen (bolt pattern issues? maybe a bad example), but were people really driving Parisienne 2+2's new off the lot that way? I don't think so. However I suspect that some people perhaps did drive a few of the 67-70 B Body Ponchos off the lot with hood tach installed. Any other opinions on that? Any evidence out there either way?

67Poncho · Uber Guru

73SC wrote:
Mondo Poncho wrote:
Thanks for the info and opinions. I think the hood tach look very cool and they are a natural fit for our cars that didn't come with a tach. I would like to know if there is any hard evidence of dealer installed units, like maybe a purchase document of some kind. I can see why these hood tachs were not offered up here. I read somewhere that early versions leaked and fogged up. The Northern climate and the Canadian tendency at the time to be frugal when it came to options probably made it an easy decision- not to offer it. Still, I think they look awesome on a big car and really amp up the sport factor. I think I'd go for one if it fit my definition of "correct". Not that I necessarily have even decided yet exactly how correct is correct enough, if you know what I mean. I just wonder- would putting a hood tach on be equal to putting 8 lug wheels on a CDN Pontiac? Maybe it looks great and maybe a dealer could find a way to make it happen (bolt pattern issues? maybe a bad example), but were people really driving Parisienne 2+2's new off the lot that way? I don't think so. However I suspect that some people perhaps did drive a few of the 67-70 B Body Ponchos off the lot with hood tach installed. Any other opinions on that? Any evidence out there either way?
Do you want one ?

I may!

Stephenzone · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

the more i look at it the more i want one myself.

73SC · A Poncho Legend!

Stephenzone wrote:
the more i look at it the more i want one myself.

Friday, I'll try and have one for you, I lent mine out, just have to get it back. I may have two so everyone can be happy, strong on the word MAY however.

-- Edited by 73SC on Wednesday 25th of November 2015 04:27:31 PM

Mondo Poncho · Addicted!

Are they hard to find? If so, and you have a nice correct piece- I would be interested. At first, I thought the hood tach was the way to go. When I found out it wasn't an available accessory option for CDN Pontiac, I changed my mind. Now these comments have me thinking how nice it would be to have one again! The lack of a tach in my 4 speed car is really a shame though I will say! I think I would go for the taller early edition correct for 1967 if I understand things right. Those tachs sure look sweet on the big US cars!!! I just wouldn't want to bastardize a rare car. I already plan to go to bigger 15x8 Rally wheels, radial tires and disc brakes. Probably will go with Hurst shifter mated to stock Muncie handle. Also ignition would be a consideration if I'm looking at a tach? I may go with better sway bars front and back. Maybe a 1969 quick ratio steering box. Engine will be stock looking top to bottom. But the car will have some bolt on mods. So why not a hood tach? May I ask the purists what they might think?

73SC · A Poncho Legend!

Mondo Poncho wrote:
Are they hard to find? If so, and you have a nice correct piece-
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
That hurts, look at my items for sale they are all nice, pure quality from Big Ray, that's enough to turn me into The Tach Nazi....as in No Tach for You! Yes in Canada they are hard to find, go to Carlisle and you'll find them, walk Ancaster every weekend its held and you'll never see one.

CdnGMfan · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

From the U.S. 1967 Pontiac High Performance Models brochure:

It would look right at home if you used the right tach and placed it properly on the hood.

seventy2plus2 · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

73SC wrote:
Stephenzone wrote:
the more i look at it the more i want one myself.
Friday, I'll try and have one for you, I lent mine out, just have to get it back. I may have two so everyone can be happy, strong on the word MAY however.

-- Edited by 73SC on Wednesday 25th of November 2015 04:27:31 PM

Keep in mind the hood tach's are a bit different each year. Also, when mounting on a 1970 B body they need to sit more towards the center of the hood, as putting them directly in line with the steering column can't be done because of the body lines of the hood.

Mondo Poncho · Addicted!

Was that some kind of a set up? I fail to see how my comments offend. Forgive my ignorance. I will do just fine without.

rabbit64cs · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

Hey Mondo... I don't think you offended anyone...

I'd love to,see the monster your building... Hood tach and ALL ....

Tin Injun · Addicted!

Mondo Poncho wrote:
Are they hard to find? If so, and you have a nice correct piece- I would be interested. At first, I thought the hood tach was the way to go. When I found out it wasn't an available accessory option for CDN Pontiac, I changed my mind. Now these comments have me thinking how nice it would be to have one again! The lack of a tach in my 4 speed car is really a shame though I will say! I think I would go for the taller early edition correct for 1967 if I understand things right. Those tachs sure look sweet on the big US cars!!! I just wouldn't want to bastardize a rare car. I already plan to go to bigger 15x8 Rally wheels, radial tires and disc brakes. Probably will go with Hurst shifter mated to stock Muncie handle. Also ignition would be a consideration if I'm looking at a tach? I may go with better sway bars front and back. Maybe a 1969 quick ratio steering box. Engine will be stock looking top to bottom. But the car will have some bolt on mods. So why not a hood tach? May I ask the purists what they might think?

Try APE, Ames Performance Engineering. www.amesperf.com They are a US Pontiac specialist. They have lots of them.

Have considered one for my '68. Just hate the thought of butchering my hood.

Fred

67Poncho · Uber Guru

seventy2plus2 wrote:

Keep in mind the hood tach's are a bit different each year. Also, when mounting on a 1970 B body they need to sit more towards the center of the hood, as putting them directly in line with the steering column can't be done because of the body lines of the hood.

More so than not, the under ribbings of the hood is the deciding factor....

4SPEED427 · A Poncho Legend!

Mondo, I want to play the evil guy here. However, everyone who reads this needs to realize this will just be my personal opinion, just like colours are.

I feel that putting a hood tach on a Canadian Pontiac takes away some of the "Canadian" from the Canadian car. Those tachs pretty much scream US model, at least in my mind. They just weren't seen in Canada. If it was me, I would want to keep the car looking 100% authentic Canadian, preserving it's heritage.

My two cents..... (in Canadian funds!)

Pontiacanada · A Poncho Legend!

Carl Stevenson wrote:
Mondo, I want to play the evil guy here. However, everyone who reads this needs to realize this will just be my personal opinion, just like colours are.

I feel that putting a hood tach on a Canadian Pontiac takes away some of the "Canadian" from the Canadian car. Those tachs pretty much scream US model, at least in my mind. They just weren't seen in Canada. If it was me, I would want to keep the car looking 100% authentic Canadian, preserving it's heritage.

My two cents..... (in Canadian funds!)

Bwwwwwah ah ah ... evil guy!

Mondo Poncho · Addicted!

Hi Carl. As much as I like the look, I agree with you. Still lots of time to change my mind over and over- but I don't think I will go the hood tach route for my convertible. But don't hold me to that!!

66 Grande guy · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

Just curious as I have a couple or three 67's. If you wanted a tach on one of those in Canada what were your options?

From what I've read so far, I don't think there was an RPO for 67 so was it a Dealer installed accessory only? If so what did it look like? The kneeknocker?

Mondo Poncho · Addicted!

I'm relatively new at this but my research so far suggests that the steering column mounted tach in the 67 accessories catalog was the recommended way to get a tachometer for B Body CDN Pontiac. I don't have the catalog handy at this moment but I think it is posted on this site. Hood tachs specified for US. Pontiac. The thing that looks like a horizontal row of LED lights was specified for Chevrolet. Looked to me like just the column mount tach was a "correct" accessory for us. Too bad for me. I need the leg room.

-- Edited by Mondo Poncho on Thursday 26th of November 2015 03:23:09 PM

CdnGMfan · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

I agree with not butchering an old Pontiac to throw just any old option onto the car just because. Especially a Canadian version.

The way I look at it though is if I ordered the car new with a big block & 4-speed, I would have seriously considered putting the hood tach on the car when new. If the car was an automatic or not performance oriented I don't think I would use a hood tach.