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914World.com _ Originality and History _ Door Jamb Stickers US

Posted by: 356drb Jul 11 2020, 03:27 PM

Please forgive me if this has been discussed in the past. If so please direct me to the information.

I have found five types of door jamb stickers on US spec. cars. They are:

914-6 -- all are silver and have Porsche as the builder

The 914-4 types always say Volkswagenwerk AG

914-4/1 -- silver or black and do not have gross or axle rates -- used through at least 11/71

914-4/2 -- Says TYPE PASSENGER CAR lower right -- have only seen one dated 5/72 and has the weights and was black

914-4/3 -- Says TYPE PASSENGER CAR at the top, has weights and is silver or black -- have many data points from 8/72 - 12/74

914-4/4 -- Says TYPE PASSENGER CAR lower left, has weights and is silver or black -- used by at least 4/75

The silver and black seem to be used randomly (except on 914-6s). I have one of each dated 12/74. Any clues?

Does anyone know anything in addition and/or can you provide additional dates that can fill the gaps above?

[attachmentid=752
473]

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Posted by: davep Jul 11 2020, 09:17 PM

I have quite a bit of data on these.
Black & silver decals depended on the body color so as to be contrasting.
I count 5 different decals for the 914/4 not counting black & silver versions of each.
I only have one example of type 4, so it needs more research.
Just one silver version that I know of for the 914/6.

Posted by: 356drb Jul 12 2020, 06:09 AM

Hi Dave! You say 5 types of 914-4. Can you provide an image of the one I didn't post? Can you extend my date ranges on the others?

Interesting that they are color related.

Posted by: davep Jul 12 2020, 01:49 PM

The 914/6 one is very typical of the 914/6. The perforations are very regular. on the 471 following the perforations are terrible (original?); my type 1 in silver & black to end of Dec 1971. From Jan 1972 GVWR & GAWR with Type Passenger Car in lower right; my type 2 in silver & black to end of 1972 Model year. Type Passenger Car moves to upper left at beginning of 1973 model year (I have a gap between 06/72 4722920948 & 09/72 4732901102); my type 3 in silver & black to Jan 1975. My type 4 is also seen in Jan 1975; this is a major rejig of the locations of info, and Type Passenger Car moves to lower left, and Manufactured by Volkswagenwerk AG is now on the top line. My type 5 in silver & black is seen in Feb 1975, and Manufactured by Volkswagenwerk AG Germany is the new top line.
So type 4 is quite rare and lies in this range of about 1500 cars: 4752907672 (3) 4752908552 (4) 4752909126 (5)

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Posted by: davep Jul 12 2020, 02:00 PM

Please note, these decals are for North America, not just USA. Here is one with a Canadian decal added.

Attached Image

Also there are errors such as this one where the 290 became 590:

or this one where the 290 became 207:

Posted by: 356drb Jul 12 2020, 03:00 PM

So, to summarize:

914-6 silver only

914-4 silver or black depending on exterior color. There are five types:

1) Through 12/71
2) 1/72 through 8/72 (end of 1972 model year) with vehicle and axle weights at bottom TYPE PASSENGER CAR at bottom right
3) 9/72 (1973 model year) through 1/75 TYPE PASSENGER CAR at top left
4) 1/75 only says TYPE PASSENGER CAR at bottom left, weights are moved up
5) 2/75 on, Germany is added after Volkswagenwerk AG

Anybody have a high res. photo of #4?

Posted by: gturner008 Jul 12 2020, 04:18 PM

Here’s my 76.

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Posted by: wonkipop Jul 17 2020, 03:26 AM

regarding silver or black stickers being used randomly.
i would hesitate to use the word "random".
the vin number and manufacture date are displayed using clear holes in the sticker which reveal underlying body colour.
to do this legibly you need to contrast body color with vin sticker background colour.

legibility would likely be requirement of regulatory authorities.

either silver or black background stickers cover probably most of the standard body colors to produce legible vin numbers?

i would guess, and it is just a guess, that the silver stickers go with certain body colours and the black with remaining body colours. and that might cover all the options.

i think an interesting line of inquiry would be what body colors are silver stickers found on and what body colors are black stickers found on.

just a thought - in terms of restoration rigour.
i'm going with davep's suggestion.

Posted by: StarBear Jul 17 2020, 08:01 AM

Here's my 74 (1.8L) sticker for the inventory collection. A little ragged but saved when replacing the drivers side rear quarter panel. On Zambezi Green.

Posted by: wonkipop Jul 21 2020, 04:31 AM

@ starbear

thanks mate.
yours and mine - two months apart in manufacture.

the germans never do anything random.
"ordnung uber alles"

fun fun fun on the autobahn.

Posted by: wonkipop Jul 21 2020, 04:34 AM

ps

vin sticker in all the cars is loveable.
front weight, rear weight, dead equal.
colin chapman would be grinning in heaven?

re vin sticker colors. another thought.
given only north american cars have the vin labels in the door jamb and also the plate visible through the windscreen.
is it possible the silver stickers further distinguish californian bound cars - black stickers are for 49 state cars? or vice versa.

the 73 1.7 came in two versions for the usa, one a 49 state version with 59kw power and one a california version with 53kw.

from what i have seen the same labels are found on all vw vehicles sold in north america during those years.
i'm not very sure about dates that californian standards exceeded federal standards and when all that might have kicked in.