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Posted by: Ansbacher Dec 3 2020, 01:17 PM

I am mystified why Porsche made the decision NOT to design the 914 body with a fuel door to make fill-ups more convenient. When the '64 model of the Type 356 debuted, they bragged about the improvement of it having a fuel door. Six years later, when the 914 debuted, no fuel door, and we have been lifting our frunks at the gas station ever since A step backward in my opinion.

Ansbacher

Posted by: Mikey914 Dec 3 2020, 01:27 PM

Simple - It's not a REAL Porsche

Posted by: Spoke Dec 3 2020, 01:38 PM

Keeping costs down. The 914 was a low budget car.

Posted by: SirAndy Dec 3 2020, 01:48 PM

I like the fact that the fuel cap is secure behind a lock and one needs access to the inside of the car to get to the fuel inlet.

Posted by: 73-914 Dec 3 2020, 01:51 PM

I like it the way it is . Keeps the DB's from stealing your gasoline

Posted by: mepstein Dec 3 2020, 01:52 PM

I’d have to look but I think the hood was originally made with a door in mind.

Still, I really like the simplicity of the 914.

Posted by: bbrock Dec 3 2020, 01:57 PM

Yes! Two things. The 914 was once again ahead of its time by having a locking gas cap BEFORE the 1973 Oil Embargo.

Also, you are thinking about this in the wrong era. When the 914 was new, your fuel tank was filled by a gas station attendant. Watching the attendant walk around the car several times searching for the gas cap even after you had popped the hood latch for them was priceless entertainment.

Also gone are the days when the grocery bagger brought your groceries out of the store with you and loaded them in your car. Again, the 914 proved its superiority. You'd have him load a few groceries in the trunk until he started to chuckle about what a stupid car you had that can't even handle a load of groceries. Then you'd walk around and pop open the frunk and blow his mind.

DAMMIT these are fun cars!

Posted by: Al Meredith Dec 3 2020, 01:58 PM

every time I get gas people always look to see what I'm doing. It makes for some good conversations.

Posted by: Superhawk996 Dec 3 2020, 02:08 PM

It also enables lots of fun and games at gas stations.

I love the odd looks then the hood is up to fuel it. You can just tell most people can't wrap their mind around what they are watching.

My favorite game used to be:

Question from observer: Where is the engine?
Me: I don't know . . . then a long pause . . . I've never thought about that.

Yeah I'm an

Posted by: Pursang Dec 3 2020, 02:09 PM

This. Also, I live in a state where you are not allowed to pump your own gasoline .

Aside from the questionable logic there, I have never been hassled for filling the 914's tank myself, nor that of my motorcycle.

Posted by: Steve Dec 3 2020, 02:12 PM

One of the prototypes had an outside filler. I am guessing they did it to save costs.

Posted by: bbrock Dec 3 2020, 02:14 PM

I've been known to tell them, "It doesn't have one. It runs on farts." and then point at my wife. You get a double asshole score for that.

Posted by: Superhawk996 Dec 3 2020, 02:16 PM

I used to vist my Grandmother in Oregon. I soon learned the fastest way to get gas in Oregon is to simply get out and act like you're going to start pumping it yourself.

Might not work so well if you have Oregon plates

Posted by: Superhawk996 Dec 3 2020, 02:18 PM

That's priceless. I'll have to remember that one.

Posted by: Brett W Dec 3 2020, 02:22 PM

Its always fun to just drive straight up to the pump and screw with people. Thats more fun than an external filler.

Posted by: bbrock Dec 3 2020, 02:25 PM

I remember when self-service gas stations were legalized in Kansas. It was a big debate with dire predictions of the fires and deaths that would occur from people not knowing how to use a gas pump. It was also fairly common to be approached by someone while you were pumping your own gas who politely asked if you could show them how to do it. I will say this, I'll bet the percentage of cars running on underinflated tires has increased since the demise of the full service gas station.

Posted by: burton73 Dec 3 2020, 02:36 PM

Just want to point out that my 6 number 41 was converted to cowl fill in the early 70s
I have never seen one like this so we left it there like some of the other items that made this car cool.

Bob B

Posted by: Superhawk996 Dec 3 2020, 02:39 PM

Now you get Gov't mandated TPMS sensors in your new car. At your expense . . . . which people still ignore.

Posted by: mepstein Dec 3 2020, 02:47 PM

Here’s why I thought Porsche planned for a fuel door. All the hoods have this cut out. Not just early.




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Posted by: GregAmy Dec 3 2020, 02:49 PM

I love watching the reactions.

Posted by: mepstein Dec 3 2020, 02:50 PM

I don’t like through the hood fillers but I love this one.

Growing up with a 914 in NJ you learned to open up and close the hood yourself. Otherwise the attendant just stood at the back of the car and when they were done, would slam the hood down like an American car.

Posted by: mgp4591 Dec 3 2020, 03:02 PM

It's part of the enigma...kinda like having 2 trunks...

Posted by: SirAndy Dec 3 2020, 03:30 PM

Isn't that just there so the hood clears the trip-tray?

Posted by: mepstein Dec 3 2020, 03:38 PM

Probably.

Posted by: Steve Dec 3 2020, 03:40 PM

How did they fit that in there? Looks like the filler is where the defrost or windshield washer goes?

Posted by: Steve Dec 3 2020, 03:42 PM

I get the convenience thing, but those billet mustang fillers look like a sewer pipe cover.

Posted by: Bleyseng Dec 3 2020, 03:58 PM

This prototype did have the filler door in the hood.


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Posted by: Coondog Dec 3 2020, 04:22 PM

[quote name='burton73' date='Dec 3 2020, 12:36 PM' post='2871797']
Just want to point out that my 6 number 41 was converted to cowl fill in the early 70s
I have never seen one like this so we left it there like some of the other items that made this car cool.

Bob B


And I thought that was one of Eric’s killer mods....

Posted by: burton73 Dec 4 2020, 04:11 PM

Hi Coondog buddie ,

From the PO on #41 This is the story on the fuel filler area built by Peter Dawe and an email note from Peter:

I have had many questions about the fuel filler area. Peter Dawe of Dawe's Motorsports helped build this car at Dick Troutmans's in the late 70s. I asked Petr how this was done, below is his answer.
Hi Lloyd (PO) From what i can remember the hinge and the flush mount latch was aircraft surplus. I believe all those parts are offered thru Aircraft Spruce Co. Peter welded a shaped piece of steel under the body cowl for the gas door to sit on . He also welded a fill pipe on to the gas tank. (Only for pros to weld) Then because of the pipe bends he had to put a vent from the original fill to the neck so the tank could be filled up to the top. All this was 20 years ago but I think thats about it. But you have to be as talented as Peter to do it right. Thats the TRICK. Thanks and happy holidays Petr Dawe


Bob B

[/quote]

Posted by: fixer34 Dec 4 2020, 04:50 PM

Not only does it mess with people because you are putting gas in the front of the car, but it also screws up the car 'stacking' in the multiple pump islands if you are at the front pump. Have to be careful the SUV that pulls in behind you doesn't hit the rear bumper.

Posted by: GregAmy Dec 4 2020, 08:42 PM

I'll vouch for that. First thing I thought of then I saw the door and the latch is that it looked exactly like the door latch on the oil dipstick access and external battery connector covers on my Grumman Tiger.

I like it. Very "sano". Not really worth the effort, IMO, but very clean.

Posted by: gulf908 Dec 4 2020, 11:45 PM

the fender gas filler was no doubt nixed by VW as was probably the separate passengers seat and RHD as VW wanted to recoup their costs quickly.
I had always wondered what the filler arrangement was on the two -8s and the red pre production -6 featured in a number of early promotional pics.
Fast forward to the Essen show last year and on the Porsche stand was Ferry's silver -8.
So nothing ventured etc I asked one of the attendants if I could look under the lid so I could satisfy my long term curiousity - yes he said - I'll get the keys from the cleaner (!) and I took some pics for posterity.

cheers
Dennis


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Posted by: zipedadoo Dec 5 2020, 08:57 AM

Just think about it. If they would have put a fuel door it would have leaked and then
it would have rusted and then we would have another "Hell Hole" to worry about.

Posted by: rhodyguy Dec 5 2020, 09:17 AM

Dragging the fuel line over the car. Like watching people pull up to the pump at Costco with the fuel door on the other side of the car.

Posted by: bandjoey Dec 5 2020, 10:11 AM

And the gas tank is in the front??? YOU'RE GOING TO DIE IN A CRASH UP IN FLAMES!

Posted by: bbrock Dec 5 2020, 11:13 AM

Said the Pinto owner

Posted by: StarBear Dec 5 2020, 11:18 AM

OH, I've told my wife many times that if that happens, just have a big loader pick up the wreck with my charred remains in it and drop it all in the 6ft hole.

Posted by: StarBear Dec 5 2020, 11:22 AM

Yeah; here in NJ one can't pump one's own gas, so I play with the attendants (particularly the younger ones) as they look for the filler door then eye me as I come around and open the frunk. Most ask questions and some even take photos as it seems that teeners never come around to gas stations around here. One fellow even pulled off the road to swing by to say "I used to have a 914 - haven't seen one for years! Nice ride!" then drove off.

Posted by: horizontally-opposed Dec 5 2020, 12:06 PM

Looking at this pic, and wondering what happened to this car…

…one wonders if it could have been the prototype used to build the second 914S for Ferry? Might have to go dig Issue 000 up...

Posted by: Rand Dec 5 2020, 12:33 PM

https://www.google.com/search?q=hidden+fuel+cap+car&sxsrf=ALeKk03qr-M8Edu24eylIHtakCsD7FfxCQ:1607193285107&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjV_9_GvbftAhUvrFkKHQrvBxUQ_AUoAXoECBoQAw&biw=1745&bih=852

Posted by: bbrock Dec 5 2020, 12:49 PM

Bear in mind that I was nineteen and stupid (even more than now!) when I bought my first 914. In my first week of ownership, I rear ended a pickup truck just being a dumbass. Two years later I got it out of the shop and hit a patch of black ice on bald tires that sent me right into a fire hydrant. Both incidents folded the front of the car quite nicely. I can tell you the crush zones on these cars are remarkable and the spare tire in the front the way it is is not by accident. I don't worry much about the fuel tank in the front.

Posted by: rbzymek Dec 5 2020, 02:59 PM

So back in 1972 I had a 1970 914. I think I paid $2200 which was a lot for a kid working in a grocery store and paying for engineering school. A driver in Rambler station wagon ran a stop sign and I T-boned him at about 40 mph. No injuries except my knees were knocking together for a while. The P dealer did the repair but the car did not track well at all. Later my dad took it for a drive and he was moderately rear ended. (Really good brakes!) I sold the car and missed it greatly. Fast forward 47 years. I bought my 1975 914 (same color) in April of 2019 and finally have it well sorted. It's been a great retirement/covid diversion. The best part is all of the helpful members on this site. Here are pictures of the first car.

 Crash.pdf ( 330k ) Number of downloads: 58

Posted by: sixnotfour Dec 5 2020, 03:31 PM

Man Willow Green , Fuchs Hub Caps,,,,you were Cool !!

Posted by: sixnotfour Dec 5 2020, 03:35 PM

Porsches better mouse trap...version 1.. The in car release is probably in the glovebox..


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Posted by: rbzymek Dec 5 2020, 03:42 PM

Ahem, I know........

Posted by: Grelber Dec 5 2020, 03:58 PM

The first time I had a state inspection done on my Teener, a young kid was doing the inspection. He pointed, and had me open the frunk. After frowning at the lack of engine, he went around and had me open the trunk. A longer frown. I told him "Didn't you see me push it in??"

An older guy came up, pointed to the engine grill, and walked off.

Posted by: brcacti Dec 5 2020, 04:37 PM

Many mentioned the negatives of having to go under the hood to fuel up. Some mentioned the security of the gas locked under the hood, me I think of it as being sort of UNIQUE. I pull into a station and get many looks from that, they probably think it is part of history.

Posted by: GregAmy Dec 6 2020, 01:07 PM

The scupper design in my car makes a HELL of a lot more sense in the context of that third photo. TOTALLY explains that design.

So it was intended that all cars get a door through the hood, and that scupper is a legacy of that original design. #TheThingsYouLearn

Posted by: r_towle Dec 6 2020, 11:14 PM

Having owned I think most all makes of German cars, I am totally convinced there are two old engineers, who I call Hanz and Franz, that have worked for all the major manufacturing firms in Germany and they are both slightly twisted, and have an uncanny ability to create some of the most stupid engineering ever.

Now, the Interns in Germany are always tasked to see if they can reduce the costs of some insignificant part of the interior, and we all know those parts because every single one of them has broken over the years.

Rich