914 Gauge Set-ups - OE Standard & Options, ...OK let's try this again Options

[Tom_T]

Okay - first of all, this is a question about ORIGINAL Gauge setups for standard factory equipment, factory options, & special order factory/dealer options whith respect to the 1973 MY 914-2.0.

While past suggestions for swap-outs & temporary/removable installations in a "to remain anonymous post here" (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif) - that's not really what I'm asking about, but Thanx to those of you who had contributed there.

Second - some background on my early-73 914-2.0 (then marketed as the "914S" as shown in the 1972 Porsche+Audi docs below), VIN...1954 & GA000424, built 9/72 & first sold/registered 11/72 in CA. I bought the car 3 yrs. or "37 months old" in 12/75, & was told by PO that they were OO - so I'd be 2nd owner with the car since 12/75 continuously. When I got it in 75 the Appearance Group Center Console/Gauges, Fog-lights/dash switch & 5 Fuchs 2L alloy wheels were not on the car. The PO or dealer had removed these items, & IIRC the PO wanted the extra leg-room for hauling around 2 kids (i.e.: 2+1 in the old pre-mandatory-seatbelt days). It also came with the standard fuel/brake combo gauge - as opposed to the fuel/oil temp. combo gauge provided on non-center console cars (because OT was in the console).

Beyond finding all of the appropriate attachment holes/clips & electrical connections with evidence of prior use/attachment - I've done extensive research to confirm to my satisfaction that Porsche+Audi sold ALL 914-2.0's "fully loaded" with the Appearance & Performance Groups' options in that 73 MY (at least in the first 1/3 during 1972), although that changed definitely by the 74 MY with everything then becoming extra cost options (except LE set-ups), and possibly P+A had started that extra charge program in Spring 73 (according to Steve Gaglione).

I'll be restoring my 914 2L back to original fitment, with a few exceptions for better durability/driving (e.g.: SS HEs, 19mm MC, factory Passenger Side Mirror, etc.), since I want to drive it some, as well as probably doing some concours restoration shows (at least until it gets too dirty (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) ).

I've gone out & bought a restorable console & gauges (I still need a proper early "Kinsle" sp? clock though! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) ), as well as a set of 5 restorable Fuchs wheels, & fog-lights with horns (horns busted in 5/85 accident) & fog-light switch (amber bezel - which I hope was right, since the replacement 1973 owners manual I bought from PP, references a "Green" bezel (IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/huh.gif) ).

However, I think/hope that I have some latitude in how I configure the dash-pod & center console gauges, in as much as there may have been any options, etc. available at the time? Even at that, the Porsche+Audi ad & sales brochure below seems confused on the issue, as one states that the center console has the oil pressure gauge, while the other says oil temperature (as most generally found in them).....

To the Questions at Hand:

1. Were there any factory options &/or dealer requested options at the time for substitute gauges at either the console &/or fuel combo gauge? I'm pretty sure that VDO at the time also produced Oil Pressure Gauges in the center console size (2-3/8" diam. +/-) &/or in the fuel/OT combo gauge insert size (same since OP insert was used in the 911s IRRC).

> but could either/both be special ordered by a buyer either in the initial build &/or as a dealer change-out later?? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)

...i.e.: You end up with either a combo fuel/OT (using the non-console type gauge & a clock/OP/voltmeter in the console, or with a combo fuel/OP & the standard clock/OT/voltmeter in the console.

2. Where there any factory special order &/or dealer ordered optional Cylinder Head Temp. Gauges available for the 914s at the time?

...if so, what were they (size/markings/face style) & where/how were they mounted "back in the day"?? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)

3. Is it acceptable from Originality terms & in concours events (restoration in my case) to add any of those, if they were indeed available at the time - even though they were probably not in my particular car originally?? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)

I would like to have had that extra instrumentation back in the day myself (having intended to add back at least the console even back then), and would certainly appreciate it today to protect my 37 yr. old 914 from mechanical problems whenever I do drive it. The only question in my mind is how to do it in a way that was both available & appropriate in the original period?

FYI - following are some pix of both my 914's instruments & my research on consoles, the console/gauges I got, etc.

DEC. 1972 MAGAZINE - PORSCHE+AUDI "914S" ADVERT DENOTING "INCLUDED" EXTRAS - NOTE THAT THIS SAYS OIL PRESSURE GAUGE:


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FALL 1972 PORSCHE+AUDI EARLY "914S" SALES BROCHURE PAGE ON "INCLUDED" OPTIONS - NOTE THAT THIS SAYS OIL TEMP GAUGE:

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CORRECT 1973 MY CENTER CONSOLE FROM P914 WEBSITE - NOTE CORRECT "KINSLE" CLOCK (NON-QUARTZ), OT GAUGE WITH WIDE RED BAND, & VOLTMETER:

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OE CENTER CONSOLE & GAUGES FROM VIN4732901102 - JUST 892 CARS BEFORE MINE 7 ALSO A 9/72 BUILD:

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OE COMBO FUEL / OT GAUGE (WIDE RED BAND) AS USED IN 1973 MY NON-CENTER CONSOLE 914s:

.

...continued....

[Pat Garvey]

Tom,

I've told this story before, but I'll tell it again - may help. Maybr not.

When I took delivery of my 1.7 '72 in August 1972, the first 2.0 had hit the lot Same color as mine (bahiarot), and I considered the upgrade, but couldn't afford it. So, I went to do my due dilligence on my soon to be owned 1.7. Noticed that, though I was paying for the app. grp., the wheels & tires were not correct - they were the 4.5 inch wheels & 155 tires. Told the dealer there was a problem. They recognized the problem, said they would order the proper wheels/tires & sent me on my way. That was a Friday.
Called them back on Monday & said I wanted the parts that I ordered, or I'd put a stop payment on my check. They asked me to stop by after work, which I did. I did put a stop pay on the check, just to be certain.

When I got there they told me that they would have to order the wheels & tires that I had paid for......or, I could have the set from the new "914S" that they'd recieved the prior week. So I went to look at the wheels (Fuchs) and the car. Long story short, the "S" had no appearance group parts on it, yet the Fuchs wheels. Bumpers painted black, no fogs, no sail panel trim, no console! Remember, this was early August '72.

Told them I did not like the Fuchs (dumb, huh?) & wanted my 5.5 steelies & appropriate tires. Told me it would be at least 6 months before I could get them, but would I accept a Bursch exhaust in the interrum? I did. The Bursch exhaust destroyed my original snowplow rear panel in 4 months from vibration - thankfully, I've located a brand new one!

I finally got the appropriate tires/wheels in March of '73. By then, the snow plow was history.

But....point is, the early 2.0's were as whacko as the early 1.7's. Parts were mixed & matched at the factory. Not always to current spec.

Crap shoot with the early 2.0 models.

COA "might" shed some light, but I wouldm't hold mt breath.

Good luck buddy!
Pat

[Tom_T]

Tom,

I've told this story before, but I'll tell it again - may help. Maybr not.

When I took delivery of my 1.7 '72 in August 1972, the first 2.0 had hit the lot Same color as mine (bahiarot), and I considered the upgrade, but couldn't afford it. So, I went to do my due dilligence on my soon to be owned 1.7. Noticed that, though I was paying for the app. grp., the wheels & tires were not correct - they were the 4.5 inch wheels & 155 tires. Told the dealer there was a problem. They recognized the problem, said they would order the proper wheels/tires & sent me on my way. That was a Friday.
Called them back on Monday & said I wanted the parts that I ordered, or I'd put a stop payment on my check. They asked me to stop by after work, which I did. I did put a stop pay on the check, just to be certain.

When I got there they told me that they would have to order the wheels & tires that I had paid for......or, I could have the set from the new "914S" that they'd recieved the prior week. So I went to look at the wheels (Fuchs) and the car. Long story short, the "S" had no appearance group parts on it, yet the Fuchs wheels. Bumpers painted black, no fogs, no sail panel trim, no console! Remember, this was early August '72.

Told them I did not like the Fuchs (dumb, huh?) & wanted my 5.5 steelies & appropriate tires. Told me it would be at least 6 months before I could get them, but would I accept a Bursch exhaust in the interrum? I did. The Bursch exhaust destroyed my original snowplow rear panel in 4 months from vibration - thankfully, I've located a brand new one!

I finally got the appropriate tires/wheels in March of '73. By then, the snow plow was history.

But....point is, the early 2.0's were as whacko as the early 1.7's. Parts were mixed & matched at the factory. Not always to current spec.

Crap shoot with the early 2.0 models.

COA "might" shed some light, but I wouldm't hold mt breath.

Good luck buddy!
Pat

Thanx Pat!

I recall parts of that story about the wheels on yours, as well as having commiserated over our mutual lack of funds at the time to get a 73 2L new. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

But I hadn't heard the part about the "odd 914S/2.0 without the Appearance groups stuff & black bumpers as early as August 72 though. In fact, I didn't think they even did the 73MY switch-over until Sept., with July-Aug to change over factory tooling for new models, as well as for the notorious European 2 months of summers off for "holiday"! I had read about the oddments on the early first 1000 or so in 73MY elsewhere here.

MY COA is useless, & I'm still waiting for Andrew Pine at PCNA (GM of Customer Care) to review the docs & get it straightened out. They "mis-interpreted" the #31 interior code as Black, which the 73MY 914 colors docs which I found on-line & sent to him, indicated that black is #11 & #31 is in fact the beige color leatherette with basketweave inserts. Beyond that, my COA only lists "US Equipment" (sorry - no Norwegian equipped babes on mine! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) ), & tinted glass all around - which I know it also has. Beyond that, they say the Kardex doesn't list any other options nor the 73MY 914S/914-2.0 "included options".

So I have to go by the P+A marketing docs., 3 current 914 restoration books (you all know them here), & 10 period auto mag articles - all of which to a tee list the AG+PG as included options on the 73MY 2Ls - including the Brits, who called it the "914SC" with factory blessing! Likewise, all of the window stickers & bill of sales which I've seen for 73MY 2Ls sold in 72 list them all as "N/C"; as well as all owners of same with whom I discussed the subject, also say they were included.

On my own 914-2.0/914S, I've been able to confirm that there used to be the foglights/switch on mine (pretty obvious from the cut wiring & "clean" hole in the dash with the imprint in the vinyl where it once sat. Ditto for similar reasons on the missing center console, as well as the PO/seller telling me they liked it out for the leg room when 3 across with their 2 kids (apparently #3 on the way was their reason to sell).

As to the Fuchs 2L Alloys, all I recall is that they said they liked the Rivieras better, which - like you not being super fond of them - I wasn't all that impressed either, & I wasn't that bothered by their lack at the time, being happy with the looks of the Rivieras then.........oh, if I only knew then what I know now! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)

Paint color change repaint to tan/gold was more of a mystery, and perhaps the impending strip to bare metal will enlighten as to some past accident of which I'm unaware (i.e.: not of my doing nor during my tenure since 12/75). PO/seller said they liked that color better, but my preference if ordering new would've been Marathon Blue Metallic with the Beige interior which mine has as OE. BTW, that was the color I was previously contemplating repainting it to now, prior to "getting straight" on the OE/CW originality path, thanx to folks like yourself, Mike/MDG, George Hussey & others here.

So with all that research & on the car evidence noted above for the console/ foglights & Fuchs wheels - I'm going to proceed with the premise that all were on it to start with, and I may even be able to track down the PO/seller at some future date for possible confirmation, docs, etc. (when I get a chance to did through old file boxes & foot lockers in which I have some old papers stored.

I'm just debating at this point whether I should try to "recreate" that special order my buddy had for his 73MY 914-2.0 as a Fuel/OP combo gauge, or to stay stock only (possibly with that swap-out combo gauge as a possible option for my daily driving activities).

Thanx!
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)