Printable Version of Topic

Posted by: davep Nov 12 2003, 10:35 AM

I've been asked how to decode the chassis numbers on the 914/6. Not the VIN's, but the Karmann body number. If I recall, the number is not on the paint code plate as is the case with the 914/4. There are two places I can think of where it could be found. The easiest is in the rear trunk floor in front of the lock. About 1/2" high characters. If someone can post a picture of it, that would really help. I need to correlate VIN's with the chassis numbers. If the paint code is included that would also be useful. The other location for the chassis number is on the bottom of the dash; at least with the 914/4, not sure about the six. I need as many sets of data as possible to be able to work this out. Results will be posted in the '914 Info' section when completed. Thanks for your help.

DaveP

Posted by: krk Nov 12 2003, 11:22 AM

Heppy to look.

Didn't see anything in the trunk -- however, I just looked by the lock. I'll empty it this afternoon and look more closely.

Where under the dash would you expect to find it? (i.e. do I have to remove something?) How big would it be? (i.e. I took a quick look and didn't see anything)

kim.

Posted by: Porsche Rescue Nov 12 2003, 12:01 PM

VIN 9140431956

Paint 15 (Irish Green)

Chassis # is about 3" forward from the latch mechanism


Attached image(s)

Posted by: davep Nov 12 2003, 12:24 PM

Excellent, just exactly what I need. Thanks for the photo. It sure is not the same scheme as the /4.
If it is under the dash, then it is on the bottom side of the metal dash top, just about the ashtray. About 2" characters, be careful, the German 1 looks like a 7, and the 7 has a cross like a t. Handwritten with a crayon or magic marker.

DaveP

Posted by: davep Nov 12 2003, 07:23 PM

I was just checking some old info, and it may be that the number on the underside of the dash is different from the trunk floor number. So, if you can stand on your head, please check to see what you can find there. As you can see from the picture, the 914/6 chassis number is one digit less than the 914/4 chassis number.

DaveP

Posted by: SirAndy Nov 12 2003, 07:28 PM

dashes were mixed'n'matched during assembly.
a lot of dashes have completely different color than the original body color. it looks like they just grabbed one out of a big bin every time a car rolled by on the assembly line.

dashes were NOT pre-installed by karman, but rather added during final assembly ...

Andy

Posted by: davep Nov 12 2003, 07:37 PM

That may be true, but I can say that the 914/4 dashes have the same number on the bottom as the chassis has, so they certainly seem to be matched.

DaveP

Posted by: Jeroen Nov 12 2003, 07:39 PM

Speaking of dashboard frames... on both my cars they are light blue metalic
First I thought they just got "any painted" one off the rack, but then how big would the chance be that both of my cars have light blue metalic ones???

cheers,

Jeroen

Posted by: davep Nov 12 2003, 07:48 PM

I remember thinking about this years ago, and perhaps they just sprayed them with whatever leftover paint they had. It would have been just to prevent instant rusting, so the color did not matter.

DaveP

Posted by: krk Nov 12 2003, 07:59 PM

The pic helped. I wasn't looking far enough in. (too much crap in the trunk )

It's dark now, but with a flashlight I got the number -- 132009. VIN: 9140432034 Paint code: 14 (maybe? it's dark) (was originally some sort of red/orange color -- it's silver now)

This is cool -- I didn't know there were chassis #'s on /6's.

kim.

Posted by: davep Nov 12 2003, 08:29 PM

Paint code 14 is signal orange. With your data point I am starting to see a pattern, but the VIN's are a bit too close together to be sure of anything yet.

DaveP

Posted by: krk Nov 12 2003, 08:52 PM

DaveP,

I got some original snapshots from the PO -- and I think he probably got them from the PPO. It was definitely orange. (it's a pretty good respray, but not perfect)

On a different note ("oh look, a moose") Brad and I spent an afternoon studying two cars, and there was quite a bit of info he was mumbling that I'd not heard before. (The seam sealer in the trunk is different between the /4's and /6's -- I can't describe it as we were looking at two /6's -- but apparently they are different -- which led to a discussion of the differences in the manufacturing techniques and practices that might differ)

So the thinking that afternoon revolved around practices that work in volume and those that don't. Porsche only made ~3K /6's, while the number of /4's is numbered in the100'sK range.
When a manufacturing process doesn't scale up, it is replaced by one that does. Manual processes are replaced by machine processes.

We looked at the VIN plate from a /6 and one from a /4. The /6 has a (originally) black faced one that looks a lot like a 911 VIN from the same period. (surprise) They look like they could have been cut with tin snips and bent on a brace. The /4 vin's have a rolled edge and look a little more professionally manufactured.

I'm babbling a bit, but you get the idea. Limited runs of low numbers can live with labor intensive processes which will change when scaling up.

I'll take a look in daylight under the dash and see if there's anything w/numbers. I'll be quite interested to hear what you discover!

kim.

Posted by: SirAndy Nov 12 2003, 08:57 PM

oddly enough, most i have seen were either metallic blue or white
most of them had black overspray (some have yellow) that looks factory.
i have also seen 1 or 2 that were just in primer gray.

Andy

Posted by: davep Nov 12 2003, 09:11 PM

Kim,

One thing I noticed was that the 914/6 had flat black paint (or something) on the top of the shock towers in the front trunk. It is just aft of the gas tank bulkhead. I'm not sure how far down it goes. Anyone have a picture of this to illustrate my point? This contrasted with the body color, so it stood out. A repaint would surely hide this, but I found it any easy way of detecting an original six quickly. The next question is why they did this, and I have no explanation.

DaveP

Posted by: SirAndy Nov 12 2003, 09:33 PM

yes, all 914/6 have this. it seems to be brushed on rather than sprayed.

as for a explanation, no, just a lot of speculation.
but i do like the look of it ...

Andy

Posted by: krk Nov 12 2003, 09:38 PM

Dave,

Yeh, Brad did mention that as we were rummaging -- I think he mentioned that it made color changing a little easier :-)

kim.

Posted by: Porsche Rescue Nov 12 2003, 09:42 PM

Sure enough, never noticed but my 4 is all body color around the strut mount.


Attached image(s)

Posted by: krk Nov 12 2003, 09:44 PM

Jim,

Actually, that's different than I was thinking. Thanks for the pic!

kim.

Posted by: davep Nov 12 2003, 09:46 PM

I'm not sure why it makes a color change easier. Is it more like undercoating than paint? Thanks for the pic.

We'll have to get Brad in on this thread. I have so little access to 914's up here. Almost no 914/6 came to Canada except for owner imports. I need to get out more, and head south while I'm at it.

We've had a thunderstorm tonight, and we're expecting significant snow by morning. Ah well, spring is on its way.... eventually...I hope.

DaveP

Posted by: krk Nov 12 2003, 09:50 PM

Dave,

I'm guessing it was a tongueincheek sort of comment.

(btw, I lived in TO for a zillion years, and grew up in MJ -- spring is really close! (yeh, right))

kim.

Posted by: mskala Nov 12 2003, 10:07 PM

9140430242

chassis #130319

adriatic blue

Posted by: Brad Roberts Nov 13 2003, 01:32 AM

First off.. I love the sixes and wish I could afford Jims green machine.

The color change comment was a joke... everyone knows I hate color change cars.


B

Posted by: davep Nov 13 2003, 08:58 AM

Ah, I understand completely. I have about 10 engine lids, and I think all of them have suffered a color change. The owners should have just traded cars. Doing a correct color change would be extremely expensive.

I need to get more 1971 and some 1972 data to fully make sense of the data. Anyone know of any '72 cars around?

DaveP

Posted by: sechszylinder Nov 13 2003, 09:35 AM

hi folks,

concerning the chassis number I found a description in my archive (someone posted this on the PP board) :

first two digits : week of the year the chassis was produced

third digit : day of the week 1,2,3,4,5 ( monday , tuesday, wednesday, thursday, friday)

fourth digit : should always 9 (factory where the chassis was build) to my knowlegde there was only one factory (osnabrück, karmann)

digitis 5,6,7: runnning serial number of the chassis production for one week

Using the VIN and the chassis number you're able to detemine the birtday of your car.

benno

Posted by: davep Nov 13 2003, 09:48 AM

Benno,

That decoding was what I figured out 20 years ago for the 4 cylinder. The sixes have a different code, hence my request for data from the sixes. As you can see from the posts, the six has a 6 digit chassis number, the four has a 7 digit chassis number. In actual fact, the VW's use the same or similar system as the 914/4; my 411 did anyway. The Mittlemotor site has a different, and I think flawed, interpretation.

For the /4, the base code was 9500 up to about Sept 74 then changed to a base of 9000. To this was added the sequence number during the DAY not the week. Thus 9630 would be the 130th chassis that day.

DaveP

Posted by: sechszylinder Nov 13 2003, 09:59 AM

hi dave,

I'm sorry, I didn't knew that it was you who reengineered the chassis number plate...
nevertheless, nice to meet you

benno

Posted by: kafermeister Nov 13 2003, 10:14 AM

What system does the early 911 use? Is it comparable to the /6? Just wondering if it's worth checking into.

Posted by: ArtechnikA Nov 13 2003, 10:14 AM

contact John McClure at SportHaus in Reno. he's got a '72 M471 car ...

Posted by: ArtechnikA Nov 13 2003, 10:17 AM

911 bodies were built by Reuter, 914's by Karmann. since this is a coachbuilder designation i'd expect them to be completely dfifferent ...

Posted by: kafermeister Nov 13 2003, 10:19 AM

Good point. I hadn't considered that.

Posted by: airkewl Nov 13 2003, 12:45 PM

Some 911 bodies were built by Karmann. I don't have the way to decode in front of me, but part of a 911 serial number says were it was built

Posted by: ArtechnikA Nov 13 2003, 01:13 PM

very, very early ones. my '65 912 was the #24 Reuter bodied 912. IIRC, t'was Karmann before that.

Posted by: davep Nov 14 2003, 08:06 AM

Just a reminder to those having an original, and not responding yet, that I still need more data. In particular, I need data from 71 and 72. I have half of it figured out I believe, but the first part of the code still eludes me.

Does anyone have a link to the site listing all the sixes spotted in the US including sale postings? I seem to have lost it through a few computer changes.

Thanks to all who have assisted in this project.

DaveP

Posted by: davep Nov 17 2003, 07:52 AM

See last post. Still need more data to be sure. There has to be more than a couple of cars owned by club members. Don't be shy, I don't bite.

DaveP

Posted by: Jeffs9146 Nov 17 2003, 09:29 AM

http://www.pca.org/914/9146SerialNumbers2.htm

This guy had lots of info about my car! Where it was purchased, who owned it, and some owner provided history. Drop him an e-mail and he will tell you anything you want to know!!

Jeff

Posted by: davep Nov 17 2003, 10:00 AM

Thanks, that was the link I was asking for. To bad it is a year out of date.

DaveP

Posted by: Jeffs9146 Nov 17 2003, 10:57 AM

He updates the info everytime someone e-mails him! I spoke with him 3 months ago and he updated my car info!

I think he just doesn't do the website updates very often!

Jeff

Posted by: Carl Nov 18 2003, 01:22 AM

Dave,
Here's another one for you.
1970 914/6
VIN: 9140432658
Original color: Silver

Carl


Attached image(s)

Posted by: krk Nov 18 2003, 01:24 AM

Dave,

Carl should get "car beauty" points for his.

kim.

Posted by: Carl Nov 18 2003, 01:37 AM

Kim,
Thanks but there's a lot of them out there in better shape than mine.

I got it out last weekend, drove it for a while then cleaned it up and put it back in mothballs. It runs pretty well but could use a little care in a few places. When I get the other stall in the garage cleaned out the 914 will come back home again. Unfortunately, making space in the garage means building a new tool shed or leaving the wheelbarrow out in the rain. hmmmm. Not a bad idea.

C

Posted by: davep Nov 18 2003, 05:56 AM

Carl,

Thanks for the info. This is the latest 70 model in the list. It sure is a pretty car as Kim says.
Anyone have a 71 model to help me out?

DaveP

Posted by: mskala Nov 18 2003, 11:18 AM

BTW, I found a 914-8 photo that shows the one-piece
fender/cowl. That's the only place I've ever seen it.
Will post pic from home later.

Posted by: Gint Nov 26 2003, 01:02 PM

I have copies of http://frii.com/~mikeginter/72_914-6 from the 2002 WCR. To my knowledge, he didn't get any pics of the chassis number. Maybe he did and will pipe up...

I need to email Larry Lee so he can update the info on mine. He provided me with info prior to my purchase.

I'll update this tonight with my VIN and chassis # when I get home.

Posted by: silver six Nov 26 2003, 01:43 PM

DaveP

Model Year: 1970 914-6
Vin: 9140432362
Chasis No.: 132 425

My Karmann plate in the driver's door jam is blank but my car is and was silver metallic, a fact supported by the Porsche Certificate of Authenticity: silver metallic / 8010.

Douglas

Posted by: silver six Nov 26 2003, 02:20 PM

DaveP,

Also, you may have seen this already but the pca website has a list of 914-6 owners and their e-mail addresses. You might be able to contact these people for more information. Some of them are 1971 owners. One person is even a 1974 owner (I'm not quite sure how that happened). Try this link:

http://www.pca.org/914/SIGsiteRegisters6.html

Douglas

Posted by: Brad Roberts Nov 26 2003, 02:31 PM

Kind of a short list...

I think I know that many people with sixes in the bay area...

B

Posted by: davep Nov 26 2003, 02:54 PM

Okay Brad, you're on. Lets see the data you can collect from them.
Any data you can collect will be appreciated. I'd be particularly interested in 9140430004 since that will definitely be a 69 chassis, and there are not many of them. Now, I'm not asking you to run out just to check that out for me. Just remember me the next time you get the chance.

DaveP

Posted by: Brad Roberts Nov 26 2003, 03:10 PM

Number 4 is about 6 hours south of me right now..

What would you like to know about it ??


B

Posted by: davep Nov 26 2003, 03:21 PM

Just the usual Brad. VIN, chassis #, paint code, DOT decal data, and eventually the engine and trans data. No hurry, that would take a whole day round trip. In fact, that car may have a long list of differences from regular production that would be interesting to document. I'm itching to learn more, but have learned to be patient and not to push my luck.

DaveP

Posted by: Brad Roberts Nov 26 2003, 03:24 PM

I documented 80% of the car in a thread here when I first shot pics detailing the major differences between it and a regular 9146.

Mike Mueller started the thread for me... I posted pics when I returned. Its a full blown prototype.


b

Posted by: Brad Roberts Nov 26 2003, 03:32 PM

Here you go Dave..

http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?act=ST&f=5&t=2544

I plan to bring it to NorCal when I find a new shop.


B

Posted by: Gint Nov 26 2003, 05:50 PM

Info removed for security reasons. I'd be happy to provide it again to Dave directly if necessary.

Posted by: Jeffs9146 Nov 26 2003, 07:16 PM

That looks like #356 not #256? Am I missing something?

Jeff

Posted by: Gint Nov 26 2003, 07:47 PM

No, you didn't miss something, I did. It's been corrected.

Posted by: Brad Roberts Nov 27 2003, 04:46 AM

Here is another one I found buried behind a house...

B

Posted by: davep Nov 27 2003, 10:42 AM

Brad, can you get the chassis number from 2617 or any other sixes that pass through please.
Doug, the paint code should be on the Karmann plate and it should be "80".
The 914 SIG list is by 6 cylinders, so they include conversions there as well, hence the 74's.
I'll try to email a few more people, I just hate to bug anyone on this.

Okay, the results so far seem to suggest that the chassis number for 1970 began with 13 followed by are sequence number that roughly follows the VIN. Both the chassis number and the VIN have a 4 digit sequence number, so it seems reasonable. What the 13 stands for I cannot guess. I have only one very old data point for 71, and I wrote down 31 as the starting digits. Unlike the /4 chassis that had daily sequence numbers it appears the /6 used an annual sequence number. There sure is a lot of bouncing around though; i.e. they do not track closely.

Thanks to everyone that has supplied data. Please keep it coming so that we can learn more. I'd like to write this up for the INFO section so that everyone can benefit.

DaveP

Posted by: ArtechnikA Nov 27 2003, 11:16 AM

Hi Dave -

i haven't forgotten you!

i have to go to the storage unit this weekend to cannibalise the alternator pulley for the 911. i'll pull enough stuff off and out of the trunk so i can have a look for the chassis number.

Posted by: davep Nov 27 2003, 01:32 PM

Okay Rich, I'll forgive your tardiness if you share your secret of tequila and lime juice marinade. I just happen to have some Mexican tequila waiting to be put into action. That bottle has a story of its own to tell.

DaveP

Posted by: ArtechnikA Nov 27 2003, 03:16 PM

at least overnight but as much as 24 hrs before, mix the juice of a dozen limes and one bottle (750 ml to 1 liter) of 'generic' tequila. i prefer Sauza... (a little for the cook, a little for the bird, a little for the cook, a little for the bird ...) if you've got a bunch of cilantro, chop that fine and toss it in too. put the bird and the liquid into a just-big-enough stockpot, add just enough water to cover.

cook per normal.

the citrus does a little bit of that 'ceviche' thing, tenderizing the meat; many flavors are alcohol-soluble and this really lets them penetrate. wonderful texture and flavor, keeps things nice and moist.

BTW - 'Mexican Tequila" is redundant - by law, "Tequila" is grown only in the Mexican government-designated region and is 100% blue agave. anything grown outside the region, or containing other products, or prepared in variance to any of the other strict production requirements (aging, storage, etc...) can be called "Mezcal" (the generic) but the word "Tequila" is very tightly regulated.

(spent 30 years in SoCal learning about Tequila..)

so far my favorite 'drinking' Tequila is Cabo Wabo, but we have an unopened bottle of Cazadores that has got good reviews. J says she likes Patron Silver a bit better than Cabo Wabo, to each one's own ... my standard "everyday" (nonpremium) Tequila is Sauza Hornitos.

Cuervo gets the ad budget this side of the border, but Sauza is the best-selling brand in Mexico. (just as Bacaardi gets the ink here, but Ron Rico is the best selling rum in Puerto Rico.)

Posted by: silver six Nov 27 2003, 04:25 PM

Dave,

No visable code on the Karmann plate. Like I said, the Certificate of Authenticity signed by the President of Porsche North America, says that my car (with my vin) was originally painted silver metallic, code 8010, by the Porsche factory.

Douglas

Posted by: Qarl Nov 27 2003, 10:04 PM

Two markings on the dash frame of my 1975 four.

One is the chassis code


Attached image(s)

Posted by: Qarl Nov 27 2003, 10:05 PM

The other is just 43... Not sure what that means


Attached image(s)

Posted by: meursault Nov 28 2003, 01:04 AM

davep,

Some of us with 914-6s apparently have no chassis numbers. The chassis plate is blank and the trunk floor is not stamped. I think you asked for '71 and '72 cars in particular. Here is my certificate of authenticity for my '71:


Attached thumbnail(s)

Posted by: meursault Nov 28 2003, 01:06 AM

So here's my trunk floor. I don't think that coat of paint is so thick that it obliterated the numbers.


Attached image(s)

Posted by: davep Nov 28 2003, 08:45 AM

Doug, I'll believe you, it is strange but not surprising.
Marc, try looking to the right in front of the taillight where the /4 chassis number is stamped.
Rusty could not find a number in his trunk either, again strange but not surprising.
Karl, what is your VIN? That is a good photo. Mine were so faint as to be nearly invisible. I don't recall seeing another number on the dashes. Where is it located? No idea what it may signify.

DaveP

Posted by: redshift Nov 28 2003, 08:47 AM

Isn't 43 the plant code?

If it is, it won't be found on a /6?



M

Posted by: davep Nov 28 2003, 10:49 AM

I'm not too sure about plant codes. If anyone has any info on this, I'd love to hear about it.

DaveP

Posted by: ArtechnikA Nov 28 2003, 05:54 PM

okay - went to storage today to extract the alternator pulley (only half of which i could get, and it was quite the b!tch).

VIN - 9140432567
Chassis - 132 330
Karmann # - blank
paint code - 29 - 'Canary Yellow'

Posted by: olav Nov 28 2003, 10:12 PM

I don't know?

Posted by: davep Jan 11 2004, 03:41 PM

Olav, don't know what?

Just got a note from a 71 owner. In his car the chassis number is stamped in front of the right taillight as are the 914/4. They went to 7 digits to accomodate the new model year. thus the 13 became 131 followed by the sequence number. More info to follow. Any more owners want to contribute? Thanks.

DaveP

Posted by: meursault Mar 1 2004, 02:13 AM

Okay, found the chassis numbers by the right taillight and under the dash. Here's a partial of the underside of the dash (trying to take pictures in the dark meant I didn't quite frame it right):


Attached thumbnail(s)

Posted by: meursault Mar 1 2004, 02:19 AM

and here's the number stamped in the floor of my 1971 914/6. Did all 914s switch the trunk-stamped numbers from the center to the taillight area in 1971? I have a 1970 914/4 with the number stamped in the center rear.

By the way, this number is 1310204.


Attached thumbnail(s)

Posted by: davep Mar 1 2004, 08:08 AM

Thanks Marc. It is interesting to note that the chassis # and the VIN are very close, and the dash is in sync with the chassis. Do you have the DOT decal showing the month/year of production?

You may be correct on the location change of chassis # from 1970 to 1971. Come to think of it, I've never seen chassis # in a 1970 914/4 only 1970 914/6. Could you provide the photo for the 70 914/4 chassis number please.

DaveP

Posted by: meursault Mar 3 2004, 04:37 AM

Yep, got the decal. Guess the car just celebrated its 33rd birthday.

Actually, I don't know if "celebrate" is the correct word considering the condition it's currently in.


Attached thumbnail(s)

Posted by: meursault Mar 3 2004, 04:39 AM

So, it was built in 2/71.

Here's where the chassis number sits in my 1970 914/4:


Attached image(s)

Posted by: McMark Oct 31 2005, 12:04 AM

I don't know if Dave's still interested in this, but I'm going to bump it because of all our new members. Maybe more sixers can add their info.

Olav might be able to add his VIN and paint code, but I know his chassis number is 131981. VERY close to Jim Chambers car. Olav's chassis had some ODD sheet metal in the front trunk. Definitely different than the other cars I've seen six, or four.

Posted by: bd1308 Oct 31 2005, 05:25 AM

QUOTE (ArtechnikA @ Nov 28 2003, 05:54 PM)

okay - went to storage today to extract the alternator pulley (only half of which i could get, and it was quite the b!tch). VIN - 9140432567 Chassis - 132 330 Karmann # - blank paint code - 29 - 'Canary Yellow'

hey man!

Posted by: Bleyseng Oct 31 2005, 09:03 AM

QUOTE (McMark @ Oct 30 2005, 11:04 PM)

I don't know if Dave's still interested in this, but I'm going to bump it because of all our new members. Maybe more sixers can add their info. Olav might be able to add his VIN and paint code, but I know his chassis number is 131981. VERY close to Jim Chambers car. Olav's chassis had some ODD sheet metal in the front trunk. Definitely different than the other cars I've seen six, or four.

What odd sheetmetal??? I don't recall it course I saw it two years ago.

Posted by: davep Oct 31 2005, 09:55 AM

Oh yeah, keep adding to this. Always working on it really. Ask questions also.
Especially, anything odd is good to post.

Dave

Posted by: olav Oct 31 2005, 11:27 AM

QUOTE (Bleyseng @ Oct 31 2005, 07:03 AM)

QUOTE (McMark @ Oct 30 2005, 11:04 PM) I don't know if Dave's still interested in this, but I'm going to bump it because of all our new members.  Maybe more sixers can add their info. Olav might be able to add his VIN and paint code, but I know his chassis number is 131981.  VERY close to Jim Chambers car.  Olav's chassis had some ODD sheet metal in the front trunk.  Definitely different than the other cars I've seen six, or four. What odd sheetmetal??? I don't recall it course I saw it two years ago.

Most cars have the sheet metal holes punched out and filled in with plastic inserts. Mine hasn't been punched out.

Also, my horns are attached by a bolt not to a bolt sticking out from the body, Mark said that was different.

Another thing is in the front by the spare I have a bit of a large bump on either side of the spare beside the headligh cowling. Other cars didn't seem to have that. I saw a six on eBay with the same bumps that someone has bought that is a member here.

My VIN is 9140431947 paint code: SIGNAL ORANGE (14)
Chasis: 131981

Posted by: McMark Oct 31 2005, 11:55 AM

Here's the numbers for the six in my shop.

Chassis: 130914
VIN: 9140431232
Color: ????? It's been acid dipped and the number's missing. I'm looking at the old pics trying to see if I can decipher it.

Here's a picture showing the differences in olav's car. The purple arrows are the holes which are not cut out, and the orange box is the bumps. Olav's bumps extend towards the center of the car about 1" to 1.5" more than those. He also doens't have the welded in nut that you bolt the horn to. I've contacted Jim Chambers, because if you look at his post in this thread, he's got chassis number 131984. The car produced 3 cars after Olav's.


Attached image(s)

Posted by: dbu356 Oct 31 2005, 12:26 PM

If you are doing this again:
VIN: 9140432432
Chas: 1 3250 4
Karmann:
Paint: 80

Posted by: dbu356 Oct 31 2005, 12:36 PM

pict


Attached thumbnail(s)

Posted by: davep Oct 31 2005, 02:05 PM

Great, keep them coming.
Chassis 130914 is way out of sync with the VIN 9140431232. The 914 and 1232 should be closer. Maybe due to the paint code (I have 16 Adriatic blue) being scarce and they had the chassis sitting around for a long time before final assembly.

On Olav's car, would it be possible that the car got a new nose? It may be a replacement panel for a 1975; IIRC they did not have the holes punched, and they had other changes for the bumper shocks. BTW Signal orange would be paint code 14, why 47?

Jim Chambers car was 8 past Olavs, but the chassis is only 3 past it. Nitpicking sure, but that is the difference between VIN and chassis #'s. The bodies were welded up and chassis # stamped, then painted. Then they were trimmed up and transported from Karmann to Porsche. At Porsche, the trimmed bodies would be put on the final assembly line when that color was needed. The drive train and suspension would be installed, then the VIN was assigned. Note that the front fender VIN is stamped into an unpainted area; probably left that way to avoid cracking the paint.

Posted by: SirAndy Oct 31 2005, 02:53 PM

QUOTE (davep @ Oct 31 2005, 01:05 PM)

Chassis 130914 is way out of sync with the VIN 9140431232.

btw. 9140431232 had the original paint before it was dipped, unless someone went the extra mile to recreate the undercoating-like black paint around the front shock towers ...

Posted by: SirAndy Oct 31 2005, 02:55 PM

more on the car here ...

http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?act=ST&f=2&t=3676&hl=

http://www.britainsmith.com/Porsche/Blue914-6/index.htm

Posted by: McMark Oct 31 2005, 03:08 PM

Andy, do you have full size versions of those pics you can send me?

As for Olav's front panel being a 76, I checked the 75 in the shop and while the bump shapes are similar, the holes for the bumper shocks would have been obvious and clearly weren't welded shut. The only explaination I can think of along those lines is that it could be a factory replacement panel from 75/76 that came without all the holes punched and without all the nuts welded into place. And actually, the location where Olav has mounted his horn looks to be in the same location as the welded nut on the 75 car I looked at. Meaning the panel may have come without the nuts welded and the body shop just left them off or didn't know to weld them on.

Posted by: McMark Oct 31 2005, 03:11 PM

75 Picture.


Attached image(s)

Posted by: ClayPerrine Oct 31 2005, 03:20 PM

QUOTE (SirAndy @ Oct 31 2005, 02:53 PM)

QUOTE (davep @ Oct 31 2005, 01:05 PM) Chassis 130914 is way out of sync with the VIN 9140431232. btw. 9140431232 had the original paint before it was dipped, unless someone went the extra mile to recreate the undercoating-like black paint around the front shock towers ...

Andy,
How come that original six has 4 lug rear wheels on it??????

Posted by: SirAndy Oct 31 2005, 04:11 PM

QUOTE (ClayPerrine @ Oct 31 2005, 02:20 PM)

How come that original six has 4 lug rear wheels on it??????

to make it a roller ... the original trailing arms and axles stuff was at the powder-coater and to be able to roll it around, we slapped two /4 trailing arms on it ...

this pic was taken shortly before the car was going to the acid-dipper and we needed to roll it around the shop area ...

Andy

Posted by: McMark Oct 31 2005, 04:11 PM

Roller suspension. Just something to keep it rolling while the suspension was being powder coated.

Posted by: maxwelj Oct 31 2005, 09:45 PM

VIN 9140431088
body 13 (1) 146 (I can't see all of the third character because of the overlying paint)
Paint code 11 Light Ivory,
Tan interior
Delivered March 1970

It has black shock towers, holes and small humps

Posted by: davep Nov 1 2005, 06:13 PM

Thanks Jack, 131146 would most likely be correct. The last four digits of the VIN and the chassis # should be close to one another.

Posted by: blabla914 Nov 1 2005, 07:05 PM

I think Olav's front panel is a replacement. My trunk is like Olav's and it has definately been replaced. Big bumps, holes are not cut, and I have bolts to hold my horns in place. This is on VIN 4732924146. The front panel and right front fender appear to have been replaced together. When I had the car stripped my dad said the inner surfaces of the fender looked like the body panels they got at the Porsche dealers he worked for in the late 70's. Hopefully my picture will be attached.

Kelly


Attached thumbnail(s)

Posted by: McMark Nov 1 2005, 07:09 PM

Well I'm convinced. The mystery is solved. Unfortunate outcome, I suppose. One of those things you probably wish you didn't know. But, replacement front panel or not, Olav's car is still amazing and one of my favorite 914s.

Posted by: blabla914 Nov 1 2005, 07:35 PM

I don't see how it's unfortunate, unless you are really hung up on originality. I mean we are talking about 30 year old cars.

Kelly

Posted by: olav Nov 1 2005, 07:55 PM

I'll have to have a look at it closer because I certainly didn't notice any work on it. It looks like a good job if that's what happened though.

And no one else has noticed either.

Hmmmm...

Doesn't bother me either way though because it's still a great car.

Posted by: mikey Nov 2 2005, 03:22 AM

VIN: 9140430693
Chassis: 130686
Paint code: 15 Irish Green

Still putting it back together

Posted by: davep Nov 2 2005, 11:38 AM

Olav,

It sounds pretty good actually. If the repair is so good as to be almost undetectable except for the different part, I'd be really happy. So, not perfect, such is life. You still have a great car.

Posted by: olav Nov 2 2005, 01:08 PM

QUOTE (davep @ Nov 2 2005, 09:38 AM)

Olav, It sounds pretty good actually. If the repair is so good as to be almost undetectable except for the different part, I'd be really happy. So, not perfect, such is life. You still have a great car.

It looks like they must have replace the whole front panel as described in the shop manuals because it's completely undetectable except for the differences in the part.

I'll have to have a closer look at the car next time I'm down at the place where I keep it.

I'll post some pictures.

There was one clue to me that something happened in 1976. Because when I took off the front bumperthere was a sticker stating that it was rechromed in 1976 by San Jose Chrome and there was some major repairs done to it at that time too.

I thought, why would they put this bumper on the car as I inspected my front panel for any signs of damage. Didn't see any at all anywhere. Just thought it was strange and wrote it off as a PO weirdness thing.

Anyway, I've got a new front bumper to replace the 30 year old redone bumper now so it's perfect.


I've had Brad Roberts looking at the car and other members too when I brought the car to Novado to put on new front torsion bars and adjustable sway bar.
We had a sort of tech session while everyone was chipping in putting in the stuff and taking out the gas tank etc. Even Andy was there.

No one notice anything unusual and everything was perfect for the smart racing adjustable sway bar to be installed.

So, it's a very good job indeed.

I think the new fron end is stronger anyway ...


As for not perfect, it's perfect to me!! I don't think it decreases any of the value besides it's a driver and fun car not a collecters car!

A renegade... ha..

Posted by: davep Nov 2 2005, 02:35 PM

Many years ago, but post 1976, a friend had a replacement front panel and it had no holes. Ever since then I have equated no holes to a repair panel. The last panels made had the 75 style profile, so that is what you have.
Now this panel has the holes, and the bolt holes for the early style mount, so it may be an early replacement panel.


Attached image(s)

Posted by: davep Oct 14 2007, 10:29 AM

Lets trawl for more information. Many new members have not seen this thread.

Posted by: Michael N Oct 14 2007, 11:28 PM

Vin: 9140430947
Chassis: 131050
Color: Light Ivory