FAMILY CRUISER
July 16, 2023
THE AUTO BUILDER
Featured
Drop ‘N’ Stop
Getting a ’55 Chevy to sit at the right ride height is as easy as installing a set of 2-inch drop spindles, such as those from Superior Spindles and others. Getting the big ol’ car to slow down offers many more choices as well, and as long as you’re swapping spindles it is an excellent time to install those long-overdue disc brakes. When you think about it, it doesn’t make good sense to put a newly rebuilt tri-5 Chevy on the same road with stock OE cars with ABS four-wheel disc brakes. If ever you came upon a situation where a car ahead of you had to stop in an emergency situation, the performance of even a stock set of disc brakes will far “outdistance” your drum setup, meaning you would not be able to stop in time and could well end up in the trunk of the car ahead of you. Not good.
Harry’s Coupe
Back in the summer of 2004, Harry Cline found a ’34 Ford three-window coupe body on eBay. When the auction ended, Harry was the high bidder. He made the trip to Jacksonville, Illinois, to pick up the body. The overall condition of the car was better than he expected, and the doors fit very well for a car that was 70 years old. The seller told Cline that it had actually been stored for nearly 40 years.
Remembering George Poteet
George Poteet, a true icon in the world of hot rodding and land speed racing, has left us, but his legacy blazes on like a nitro-fueled firestorm. Poteet wasn’t just another car guy; he was “The Car Guy,” a legend who lived life a quarter-mile at a time and made history on the salt flats. Let’s dive into the life of a man who put the pedal to the metal and never looked back.
Spotlighter
PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Intellitronix Analog Gauge Panel for 1964–1966 Chevy Trucks
Give your classic Chevy dashboard a fresh look with analog gauges and modern functionality.
Author
The Auto Builder Staff
Photos Courtesy of Intellitronix
You’ve got the stance where you want it. The wheels work, the engine sounds right, and that old Chevy gets plenty of attention wherever you park it. Then you climb inside and look at the dashboard. Does it feel like part of the finished truck, or another project you keep putting off?
The Intellitronix AP6002 analog gauge panel gives 1964–1966 Chevy truck owners a reason to move the instruments up the list. Its direct-fit design combines analog instrumentation with a black polycarbonate surface and brush-stroke finish, bringing a fresh look to a familiar dashboard.
Give the Driver’s Seat Some Attention
Paint and wheels get their moment in the parking lot. The dashboard gets your attention for the entire drive.
The AP6002 brings speed, RPM, fuel level, voltage, oil pressure, and water temperature together in one panel. Turn-signal and high-beam indicators handle the everyday essentials, while automatic nighttime dimming adjusts the illumination for evening cruises.
There’s something satisfying about finishing the part of the truck you spend the most time looking at. Whether you’re sitting in traffic or heading out for a Saturday morning drive, the instruments belong in the conversation when you’re planning interior upgrades.
Changed Your Tires or Gears? Dial It In
A different tire diameter, new rearend gears, or a transmission swap can leave your speedometer needing some attention of its own.
The AP6002 offers push-button speedometer calibration, along with an odometer, trip meter, high-speed recall, and 0–60 and quarter-mile timing functions. Its tachometer can be configured for four-, six-, or eight-cylinder engines.
That flexibility gives the dashboard room to keep up as your project evolves. You might be finishing the truck today, but we all know how easily another upgrade finds its way onto the list.
Keep Your Truck’s Vitals in View
The 160-mph speedometer and 8,000-rpm tachometer are joined by supporting gauges covering 10–18 volts, 0–100 psi oil pressure, and 100–260 degrees Fahrenheit coolant temperature. The fuel gauge supports 0–30- and 0–90-ohm senders.
Those are details worth considering before ordering, especially if your truck has already seen changes to its drivetrain or fuel system. A little planning helps make the gauge upgrade part of the build’s overall direction.
What’s in the Box?
The Intellitronix AP6002 kit includes:
Analog gauge circuit-board assembly.
Clear acrylic lens.
Water-temperature sender with a 1/2-inch NPT adapter bushing.
Oil-pressure sender.
S9013 universal GM speedometer sensor.
Mounting kit and screws.
Installation instructions.
A fuel-level sending unit is not included; the system can use a compatible existing sender. The bezel is also not included.
Plan the Setup for Your Chevy
Before placing the order, consider how the instruments will connect to your truck’s drivetrain. The installation guide covers speed signals from a transmission-mounted sender or compatible factory electronics. An optional GPS speedometer sender, LS swap kit, and quick-connect wiring harness are also available.
Choose the components that suit what’s under the hood and what you have planned next. Getting those details sorted now helps keep the dash project moving.
An Upgrade You’ll Enjoy Every Mile
Some upgrades draw a crowd. Others make you appreciate the truck a little more every time you drive it. A finished dashboard can do both.
Made in the USA and backed by a lifetime warranty, the Intellitronix AP6002 gives your classic Chevy’s interior another opportunity to shine. You’ve put thought into the view from the curb. Give the view from behind the wheel the same attention.
Take a closer look at the Intellitronix AP6002 analog gauge panel and choose the setup for your 1964–1966 Chevy truck.
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