Re: Moto Meters
The 'Junior' size was a multi-marque motor meter for all smaller sized cars - Chevy, Dort, Whippet, Velie, Ford, etc. For the most part the all had the universal 'Moto-Meter' logo and face plate under the front viewing glass. A few had a face-plate that had specific marques - Ford, Chevy, Dodge, etc., usually sold by the dealers of the individual cars, as opposed to a buyer bought item from outside sources - Auto Parts Stores, Gas Stations, Repair Garages, etc.
Being a small car, the Ford (both A & T) used the 'Junior' size. The modern reproductions are very similar to the originals, but easily distinguished from them. Most of today's users prefer the marque specific face plate, but a universal one is just as historically valid.
Some think that the addition of another accessory to 'dress up' the moto-meter enhances the ornamentation of the radiator, so 'Wings' (among other things) are added to the basic moto-meter, but they are not originally part of the temperature gauge.
And by the way, the unit is more properly called a 'Temperature Gauge', of which there were several manufactures during the teens, twenties and thirties. The manufacture we are most familiar with is "Moto-Meter' - but that is the manufacturer, not the gauge. The Moto-Meter company made a great many items for cars - I have an original set of Motor-Meter spark plugs for my '28 Phaeton, for example.
- Doug Vieyra, Eureka, CA
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