Mangusta Speedometer - Right or Left?

I need to change the speedometer cable on a left hand drive Mangusta. This car has the speedometer on the left and the tachometer on the right. There is a relay attached to the steering column support, right behind the speedometer, that forces the cable to make a sharp bend right at the end of the metal ferrule. In fact, it is almost necessary to loosen and move the speedometer to remove and replace the cable. It looks like the relay attachment is original.

It seems a logical fix to switch the position of the two instruments. It does appear the wiring will allow this.

Is there a "correct" and "factory" placement? If you have a Mangusta, how are your instruments positioned?

Thanks.

 

El Wayne

Wow! Thanks very much for your reply and the effort that you put into finding all the pictures.

I did get a private response to my question saying that the original, factory placement is to have the speedometer on the left. The owner of the car likes to have things as correct as possible, so I think that I will leave the instruments the way they are and move the offending relay.

Thanks again.

Aloha
Larry

 

Hi jm3

Thanks for your reply and the great dash layout illustration.

The problem that I am having is really independent of the route that the cable takes through the firewall or through or around the steering column support.

When the speedometer is properly secured in the dash, the relay is close to and directly in line with the threaded fitting where the cable attaches. The metal ferrule of the cable points right at and almost touches the relay, so the flexible portion of the cable has to make a sharp and abrupt bend. This is what caused the original cable to fail. The relay is securely fastened by screws through the mounting ears on each side of the case. The wires seem to flow naturally from the harness. It really does look like an original installation.

I think moving the relay makes the most sense. It will allow the cable to make a "graceful" exit and there will be no visible change.

Thanks for your thoughts.

Aloha
Larry