MK1 speedo over reading

[DropTop]

 
Another slight problem with my '84 GTI cabrio. the speedo seems to be reading over the odds. At about 30 its reading 37 ish, at 70 it reads 80.
The car had a replacement speedo a few years back as the original packed up at around 22,000 miles. It is a Motometer 120mph type, is this the right one for the car?
Can the speedo be re-calibrated or do I need a new one?

[richandhazel]

What wheels/tyres have you got on there? If they have a different overall rolling circumference that will effect your speedo.

[DropTop]

Rich, they are the bog standard 5.5Jx13 9 spoke alloys with 175/70 HR13 tyres. The car is completely original even down to the crusty old twidley knob Panasonic rad/cass.
This has got me thinking that maybe the car has had a later type speedo fitted calibrated for larger diameter wheels? Or are 14 inch wheels with 60 profile tyres the same rolling circumference?

[richandhazel]

I hope so as I have 14" wheels with 60 profile tyres on mine.

[DropTop]

Rich, I was just looking at your car on your website. Looks like it's pretty close to mine. Mine was registered May 1984 from Cental Garage, Cobham, Surrey and is an All-White special edition. Looks like yours has had the "impossible to keep clean" white cloth seat centres recovered in leather and a full body kit. Did I also spot white dials?
I am torn between keeping mine original or doing a few minor changes such as the wheels and getting the interior retrimmed as the above mentioned cloth will not come clean. A new hood will be required soon as the original has a tear above the driver's door.

[richandhazel]

Well I'll be, mine was registered on the 1st May 1984 too  
It was registered in Southend on Sea.
It came with just about every possible extra according to the front page of the service shedule: central locking, electric windows, black on white full leather interior etc.
It was bought by a night club owner: 'Talk of the South'   Never heard of it.

Anyway the leather interior is original.........very similar to the coco chanel, only without the 'cc' logo set into the upholstery.

I haven't got white dials.........just the original type, which like yours reads up to 120 and is the Motometer.

I don't think it hurts  to do any modifications as long as you retain the ability to return the car to its original status should you in the future want to.........in other words keep all the original old bits..........thats just my opinion though

My hood isn't too bad, no rips or tears and still fits well. Just very hard to keep it looking clean.........but its going to be down most of the time anyway so I'm not too worried.

[richandhazel]

The more I talk to you...............the more spooked I get
Just too many coincidences.........

[DropTop]

It is spooky. My brother is Richard Jones!!

[richandhazel]

Argghhhhh  

[DropTop]

Rich, any chance you could tell me what the 4 digit number is on your speedo? Mine is 1540.
I remember getting a replacement speedo for my MK2 from a show years ago and the only visible difference was this number. That speedo used to under read by about 10 mph, so I'm thinking my cabrio may have the wrong one. It was fitted by the same "VW-Audi Specialist" in Somerset that fitted the wrong front spring to the nearside (GTI hatch spring 20mm lower), so I'm thinking they probably messed this up too.
Also, are your alloys 6x14's? I want to change my original 5.5x13's and reckon if I go above 14inch with 185/60-14 tyres the non-assisted steering will be a bit too heavy.