Hood Tach Information
Short answer: The hood tach was mostly factory-installed (though dealers and owners fitted them too). The factory used a punch operation in a known location and added rivets plus nuts for security — so for a correct install, get the dimensions from a factory hood that has one. Today’s reproduction tachs work better than originals (circuits, lighting) but have a slightly “fuzzy”-looking plastic face.
History & variations (from PMD parts books, restoration guides, articles, and service bulletins — exceptions always exist):
- First available Feb/Mar 1967 on all Pontiac models. The first “tall” style (taller case) used a single bulb, with face/redline variations by car and engine.
- 1967 (and very early 1968) Firebirds used the tall style — black background with green characters (GTO and full-size were steel-blue with white characters).
- The 2nd “short” style (case ~an inch shorter, two bulbs) went into production April 20, 1967; its face was a circular pattern, changed to an oval pattern June 29, 1967 — steel-blue background, white characters.
- 1969 brought the final major change: black background with white characters. The hood tach lasted through 1972.
- Redlines: 1967 OHC-6 Firebird = 6500 (later 5500); RA II used the OHC-6 5500; all others used 5100. The rarest is the “supposed” RA V hood tach with shift lights built into the face (one found on a 1969 Judge RA V build).
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Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
← Frequently Asked Questions
did automatic cars opt for hood tachs or were these simply accepted for manual transmission cars. I have a 1967 Firebird 400 Convertible Automatic, build in the 3rd week of May, 67. Thoughts?
They were an extra cost option available with a couple options:
444 – Rally Gauge Cluster & Hood Mtd. Tach
704 – Tachometer, Hood Mounted
anyone know of a place to purchase just the guts of the 1968 hood tach? Mine is corroded and not functioning, and would rather use the existing shell as I would rather not try to match existing paint. Thanks for any info