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Benrus steering wheel clock mounts page 1st generation


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1953-56 Benrus steering wheel clock mounting images and description

On this page I am going to try and explain what mounting brackets were use for what applications for the first series Benrus steering wheel clocks/watches. No matter what series clock MoParmatic, Chryslermatic, Desotomatic, Plymouthmatic or even the plain berus with no series name, all of the DK14 movements had the same mounting pattern. There were different mounting brackets used to install the clocks in different applications. The 1954 MoPar Merchandiser bulletin states that 2 3/4" was the standard size and the 3" holes required retainer #1546-864. This information of course would apply to the 1953-54 applications and may not apply to 1955-56 applications? By looking at mounts that were on original clocks we should be able to determine what is needed, what is part of a standard horn ring center and what might be used to make mounts?

Mount for 2 3/4" horn ring center


Here is a 2 3/4" mount in use


You can see here that the clock is just barely smaller than the retainer


Looks like most horn button ornament holders from this angle but this one is black


Looks pretty basic from this angle also, I wonder if a standard medallion retainer can be used with holes drilled for the screws?


another shot of a different clock with the 2 3/4" retainer


Another clock same shot


This one is on a Plymouthmatic notice it is chrome or stainless.

Mount for 3" horn ring center


Side shot of the 3" retainer


Back shot of the 3" retainer, Look at the next comparison shot


Here is a comparison shot of mounts. On the left is the Chryslermatic 3" mount, Center is a 1955-56 Desoto horn center that is the same with our without the clock. and on the right is a 1955-56 Chrysler standard horn button without clock. I believe the triangular shaped back plate with the three point spring clip is the same on all three? The large metal blocks pinned to the back of the chryslermatic mount are to keep the clock from spinning past a stop. On the other two horn centers there are stops cast into the chrome housing that are not on the clock skirt of the 3" retainer


3" retainer and clock exploded view. Upper left clock, upper right spring clip retainer with added blocks, lower right reinforcemnt plate with three small holes for mount screws and two larger holes to clear the pins for the stop blocks and one large hole to clear the pins for the spring clip, lower left clock skirt and screws. Three short screws to mount the skirt and three longer screws to mount the back plate and reinforcement plate.

Good news for people that need clock mounts

The guy in Ohio that made the clock mounts is no longer making them so I went through the expense and can now provide the 2.75 inch mounts and I am working on the 3 inch mount now it will be expensive and take time so bear with me. The 3 inch mounts require the reuse of the triangle shaped backplate from the original horn ring center with a slight modification to replace the outer ring stops that are in the original diecast piece so I will need to develop a tool to make that modification also and will probably provide those on an exchange basis.




1955-56 Desoto mount

I recently sold a Desotomatic that had a pitted chrome bezel and before I shipped it I found a better Chrome bezel and decided to switch the pieces and get a good look at how it mounted. I will have to say that 55-56 Desoto owners have an easy job ahead of them making a mount for their clocks.

Desotomatic installed


Everything from the gold ring behind the clock down is standard equipment on all 55-56 Desotos.


The three little brass fingers are all that needs to be made to mount a steering wheel clock in a 55-56 De soto


On the left is a Desotomatic clock mounted in a horn center medallion retainer. The three hook legged brass piece is standard on all 55-56 Desotos. On the right is a standard horn ring center medallion with the legs broke off. Simply bend the three little tabs that hold the standard center medallion in place and insert the three brass legs from the clock through the same holes and bend them over. reinsert the center section with clock in the chrome bezel and reinstall on the steering wheel

If anyone has more information and or images of original mounts please send them to me and I will share the information with the world.

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If you have additional information, images or literature you would like to share I will add it to the webpage during a future update. Also if you have any of these clocks for sale I am a buyer or may be able to help you find a buyer
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Site Built:       08/22/10
Last Update:   10/20/11
Use of images or information on these pages is forbiden without permission. I will be glad to assist magazine editors etc. in putting together an article about these clocks and only ask that the website be mentioned in the article and I get a copy of the final publication.


Welcome to my mis-spelled word file!

These are common and sometimes uncommon ways to mis-spell the primary words on this site! I provide this as a service to the phonically challenged because they are people too! Or maybe they have a typing handicap like myself. Crysler, Chrystler, Christler, Desota, De Sota, Desotoe, Desoda, Dasoda, fibre, fibreglass hiway, hifi, krysler, Mo Par, Peddel, Peddal, Peddle, Plymoth, Plimoth, Plimouth,