Corvette C1–C3 (1953–1982)
Corvettes through 1982 use a cable-driven speedometer and, on many years, a cable/belt-driven mechanical tachometer run off the distributor or generator — so a Corvette often has two mechanical instruments to service, not one. A very common failure is a snapped squared cable tip; inexpensive repair kits cover 1953–1982 and replace the tip without a full new cable. Full speedometer and tachometer rebuild, recalibration and even 200-mph face conversions are widely available.
Chevelle, Camaro, Nova & full-size
These share the AC-Delco cable-drive cluster. Low-speed bounce is a dry cable; a stuck, wandering or dead needle with a good cable is gauge-head work. Recalibrate after any tyre, gear or transmission change.
C10 & K-series pickups
Same mechanism, truck routing. Watch for cable whip on long runs and a stripped plastic driven gear at the transmission as a cause of a dead speedo. The odometer gear train is a common casualty on high-mileage trucks and is serviced during the rebuild.