Author Topic: Hood Tach by Alpesa (Read 5047 times)

RB2929 · « **on:** June 06, 2012 - 09:52:10 PM »

Hi All-
I have a hood tachometer question for you. I purchased a hood tach way back in 1985 for a Cuda from J.C. Whitney.
The hood tach is made by Alpesa, Grand Junction CO.
I never mounted the tach, rather, it sat in a closet all those years. I had actually forgotten about it until hood tach posts started to to get posted here.

Attached are a couple pictures. The face picture has some glare, it says �RPM� on the left hand side and �Thousands� on the right.
The middle silver round thingy allows you to set the shift point indicator. It has a wire to hook it up to power a lamp for night driving.
Overall, it looks like the original hood tachs that are posted here; except for the Chrysler symbol.

I know Dixco made the hood tachs back in the day. Do you think that perhaps there were two companies making hood tachs back then?
Do you have a guess on it�s worth? Tell me the truth, it won�t hurt my feelings (very much)

Thanks all,
Ron

hemiken · « **Reply #1 on:** June 07, 2012 - 03:42:07 AM »

Does it have somewhere on it telling you the brand ?
Because it sure does look like a Dixco hood tach to me, but a very early one as it has the white numeral dail, the later one had colors going around the number sweep.
Does look cool, maybe you should mount it on your car

RB2929 · « **Reply #2 on:** June 07, 2012 - 07:38:24 AM »

HemiKen, Good morning.
I'm at work now so I can't look at the tach for any info. That being said, I did look the piece over pretty closely (with and w/o my glasses) and didn't see any brand name. I don't remember if there's any serial numbers, part numbers, etc. I'll double check tonight.

I did place the thing on my Cuda hood. It looks big sitting there. And, it doesn�t look quite right. Maybe if the hood were flat and not the dual-scoop.

Thanks for your post. I'll let you know what I find (or don't find) on the assembly tonight.
Ron

Super Blue 72 · « **Reply #3 on:** June 07, 2012 - 11:01:38 AM »

I know David (ChallengerHK) will be able to help you out. He had a Dixco hood tach ad there were nice pics on his thread.

http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=84065.msg845521#msg845521

ChallengerHK · « **Reply #4 on:** June 07, 2012 - 12:56:34 PM »

I can't claim to be any expert. I can tell you a few things, though. I bought mine about the same time, give or take. It looks identical except mine has the multicolor face, and has the Pentastar; I got mine through DC. I know that Dixco sold them to other companoes which rebranded them, so I'd bet that's a Dixco.

RB2929 · « **Reply #5 on:** June 07, 2012 - 08:33:16 PM »

Hi All-
Did a Google search on Alpesa Inc. Found their web site. Right in the middle is
�Chrysler Engine, Learn About Models, Colors, Deals, Features & More. Get a Quote Now!�
Link: http://www.corporationwiki.com/California/Huntington-Park/alpesa-enterprises-inc/41368267.aspx
They are located in Huntington CA. Other than that the page was worthless. Looking at the next link, well, darn it, says company status as �suspended; 1987.�

The rest of Google search shows this post and non-related sites.

HemiKen-
Looking at the tach in bright light, there�s no markings on the piece itself. Not a name, serial number, nothing.

ChallengerHK,
Mine does have a multi-color face. 1-3 has green bar, 3-5 has a yellow bar, and 5-8 has a red bar. The numbers are all single digit. I noticed on other tachs that they are two-digit (10, 20, etc.). No pentastar, though.

To mention other stuff that wasn�t in the original posting; it came with an 11 page booklet/instructions. Attached is a pic of the cover, a paper template to show where to cut the holes in the hood (2 mounting screws 1/8 in, and the electric � in), and the warranty on a blue piece of paper*.

*The warranty has a phone number and web site
Phone: 1-800-543-6400
- I received the after-hours pre-recorded message, but at least it is C.H. Power
The link: http://www.chpower.com/
I went to the site and they do air compressor equipment � no Tachometers

Everyone else here, please chime in

Thanks,
Ron

ChallengerHK · « **Reply #6 on:** June 07, 2012 - 09:17:18 PM »

Quote from: RB2929 on June 07, 2012 - 08:33:16 PM

ChallengerHK,
Mine does have a multi-color face. 1-3 has green bar, 3-5 has a yellow bar, and 5-8 has a red bar. The numbers are all single digit. I noticed on other tachs that they are two-digit (10, 20, etc.). No pentastar, though.

I think we have exactly the same piece, except for the pentastar. I know that the repros have various options in place of the logo, i.e., the Ford oval, the boxy GM logo, etc. Don't know if these were ever available back in the day.

Beyond that, yeah, I've got the instructions, the template, a little baggie with the wire harness, etec.

RB2929 · « **Reply #7 on:** June 11, 2012 - 08:05:53 AM »

Pat,
Thank you very much for the history lesson. The more information the better. Do you think it�s worth sending it to Tachman and have them add the Chrysler Pentastar? It�s only $35, but I don�t want to ruin the originality of the piece, either.
The Tachman website shows the Mopar hood tach with a white face, the numbers and lines, and, no color bar over the numbers. Further down the page, the Ford hood tach has the color bar over the numbers.

I have the hood tach sitting on my B�Cuda�s hood right now (not mounted, just sitting). I don�t particularly care for the way it looks. The hood looks too busy with the dual hood scoops; maybe on a flat hood? So, yes, I�ll probably sell it; but not right now. I�d like to gather more info on the piece.

If you don�t mind, yes, please either post or send me the pictures you have.
If too many pics to post here please send to my home email: ronald.reineke@cox.net

Thanks again for taking the time and providing some history,
Ron

spamtank · « **Reply #8 on:** June 11, 2012 - 08:53:13 AM »

If the documentation has a website listed it probably wasn't bought before about 1993 or 1994. And even then I wouldn't think that type of company would have had a web presence that early.

That said, I've always liked the look of a tach on the hood.

MEK-Dangerfield · « **Reply #9 on:** June 11, 2012 - 04:28:47 PM »

Quote from: mrta340 on June 11, 2012 - 03:23:57 PM

Hello Ron

Don�t send the tach to the tachman,

You aren't kidding!

RB2929 · « **Reply #10 on:** June 12, 2012 - 08:12:07 AM »

Good morning Pat-
Thanks for more hood tach info.
Email on the way.

MEK-
OK, I won't deal with Tachman
- All that jumping up and down scared me
I trust everyone's opinion here.

Thanks again,
Ron

ChallengerHK · « **Reply #11 on:** June 12, 2012 - 08:40:22 AM »

Quote from: mrta340 on June 11, 2012 - 03:23:57 PM

Chrysler never sold the �color bar over the numbers�, called Tricolor. This was a Dixco HT/x Version only.

Pat

Pat,

Wanna get some information from you on these and maybe clarify as well. Mine has the tricolor (at least I think it's what you're calling tricolor). It also has a moulded pentastar painted silver, not the blue square. Mine came from Direct Connection. When you say "Chrysler never sold" the tricolor, are you counting Direct Connection as a separate company?

RB2929 · « **Reply #12 on:** June 15, 2012 - 10:17:19 AM »

Challenger HK-
Here�s a picture of the Owner�s Manual that came with the hood tach. Does the cover look like yours?
Thanks
Ron

ChallengerHK · « **Reply #13 on:** June 15, 2012 - 05:48:34 PM »

Yep, exactly.

Author Topic: Hood Tach by Alpesa (Read 5047 times)

RB2929

Hood Tach by Alpesa

hemiken

Re: Hood Tach by Alpesa

RB2929

Re: Hood Tach by Alpesa

Super Blue 72

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ChallengerHK

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RB2929

Re: Hood Tach by Alpesa

ChallengerHK

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RB2929

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spamtank

Hood Tach by Alpesa

MEK-Dangerfield

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RB2929

Re: Hood Tach by Alpesa

ChallengerHK

Re: Hood Tach by Alpesa

RB2929

Re: Hood Tach by Alpesa

ChallengerHK

Re: Hood Tach by Alpesa