I am following that thread about the 70's/80's style cruise control. It got me thinking about a similar magnetic pickup electronics device I had a few of in the 80's

Any of you guys own one of these way back when? It measures 0-30, 0-60, 1/4 mile ET and speed as well as functioning as a digital speedometer when you are driving normally.

I found it to actually be quite accurate. The manual recommends using the driveshaft as a magnet location but then wheelspin would skew the results, so on my cars I mounted the sensor and magnets on the front wheel or brake drum and then the sensor on a bracket.

To use it, you simply came to a stop, zeroed it and launched when you were ready. The first magnet to pass the sensor started timing. It would give a short beep at 30 MPH, another one at 60 MPH and then a longer beep after 1/4 mile. At that point you could recall the results for 0-30, 0-60, 1/4 mile ET and speed.

I know they were sold under the name Zemco, Cal Custom and believe it or not, I bought my first one at the local Ford dealer. They sold it with the Ford Motorsports name on it (which of course I covered up!)

Around 1983 on a trip to California I recall going to a warehouse and buying them direct, I think from Zemco whoever they were.

This unit I must have had in one of my cars, likely this month's feature car in fact, and removed it before I sold the car. It's been sitting in the box ever since. I'm thinking maybe one day it will find it's way into my Strato Chief (but I won't be drilling any holes of course)...