Paint code mystery - COA and paint tag don't match Options

[morsmanlaw]

I just noticed this week that the COA and paint color of the car do not match the paint code found on the door jamb of my '75 2.0.

According to the COA (I have the jacket for the COA, so it's not a fake), the original color is "Scarlet (Mars) Red/H3." Although the car has been repainted, it's clear from parts that were not repainted, such as around the brake master cylinder and fuel tank, under the carpet, etc., that this is the original color of the car.

However, the paint tag on the front of the driver's door jamb gives the paint code as "L 20 C," which is Nepal Orange. There isn't a speck of Nepal Orange on the car.

The chassis number on the door jamb tag matches the number on the tag near the right headlight support in the front trunk, so it's incredibly unlikely that anyone has ever switched the paint code tag from another car. This car is in very good condition - no rust, and no signs of ever having any body work done. I have records back to the original owner, as well.

Any ideas on how the paint code tag can be wrong?

[Tom_T]

Unfortunately, with PCNA it is far more likely that they got the COA wrong, especially considering that AFAIK there never was a "Scarlet (Mars) Red/H3." choice for the 70-76 914s at all - as IIRC "Mars Red/H3" is a later paint name & code number on the COA.

Here are the actual paint names & codes for your `75, where you can click on the 914 outline/colors for examples of cars in each color:

http://www.p914.com/p914_paint_75.htm

The only way that the Karmann Plate could be wrong, would be a "Franken-car" where parts of 2 cars were put together - so double check for matching VINs stamped in the top of the right front fender top & on the right side headlight bucket plate inside the front trunk, at the plate on the left windshield pillar/A-frame post, & at the sticker on the driver rear doorjamb (sometimes also handwritten up on the dash underside); & that the Chassis number on the Karmann Plate & stamped in the rear trunk floor near the back - & see that they all match up. If so, then it's not a pieced car.

It's highly unlikely that someone swapped a plate intentionally or by accident, but still - anything is possible.

Next, look around for more places where the original paint could've been untouched - including all the hard to see nooks-n-crannies - such as in the fuel tank compartment under & behind/in front of the tank, water bottle, Brake MC, etc.; underbelly & engine compartment where other stuff covered it, etc. You may just find a trace of the Nepal somewhere.

It could still be Nepal behind the Karmann or front trunk/headlight bucket ID plates - if you want to try to peek behind one - & I'd suggest the latter, in order to preserve the Karmann Plate intact for pix noted below.

You could also take Acetoen on a Q-tip & try to slowly, carefully & gently see if you can expose any underlying paint at one of the punched dots in the VIN sticker on the L-doorjamb, since overspray might be there if the PO had it sprayed while maintaining the sticker in place.

BTW - dealers also did resprays on new cars in order to sell them, so they could've done a very good job of it, making it hard to find. Mine had 2 - from L80E Lt. Ivory - to Sahara Beige & then Gold (when I bought it 3 years old from the OO), which I uncovered the Sahara Beige more recently in my research & preps for my current in progress (slowly) resto.

However, a PO could also have done a complete strip & repaint to eliminate any traces of the Nepal.

If you don't find traces of tampering, franken-body, Karmann plate changed out, etc. - then I'd suggest that you take photos of all of the above noted plates, stampings & stickers & of the incorrect COA - then call PCNA's COA department to tell them of the problem, & ask them to correct their error at their cost & offer to send the Karmann Plate pic & any others as proof.

If they give you a hard time, then ask to take it up with the manager of the COA dept., & if that still fails - then take it to their current GM of Customer Care.

PCNA is actually legally obligated to correct any errors on their COAs under the original cost (even if you weren't the original buyer of it), but they may try to weasle their way out of it.

That was what happened to me when they insisted that my interior code #31 was black, when #11 is black & #31 is Beige (both with the basketweave seat inserts x2 is with corduroy FYI), until I took to the GM after I'd already sent the COA person who did it wrong, her supervisor & the COA Dept. Mgr.with a copy of an original dealer form with the proper codes (from Jeff Bowlsby's 914 website) - who had all refused to correct it after 3 erroneous tries over 9 months!

Then I contacted the Customer Care GM, who had it corrected and refunded my fee for all my time & trouble!

So this is also instructions to all you others out there with incorrect COAs which PCNA has so far refused to correct (thei means you too Pat Garvey, on your "Swedish Equipment" error).

Good Luck! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/santa_smiley.gif)
Tom
///////