Engine Tin Variations, 914-6 with holes and Indents Options

[DennisV]

Below is a photo of the engine tin we have for our car, which I thought was appropriate for 914-6. The shapes seem basically correct. When I do online searches, I find some instances (e.g. Stoddard and Restoration Design) where there are holes and indentations that are not present in ours (as indicated by red markup). Can anyone clarify what is correct and why the differences? I'm guessing the holes are there for a reason.

P.S. Was the factory color for 914-6 engine tin black?

[Superhawk996]

Holes are for heater hoses, those side pieces are for vehicles not running heat.

That tin is aftermarket tin that was simplified & bent from flat stock to keep price affordable. Looks like Ben's but can't be sure ( @mb911 ).

Factory tin has the stiffening formations that were stamped in where your "X" is. There are also other various stamped formations on the OEM tin that increase the stiffness of the various parts. Stamping tools are expensive - drives up the cost of tin that is a more exacting replication of OEM.

That tin is very usable but definitely not OEM. If you are looking for used tin that is 914/6 original, it can be found but is expensive and usually in pretty rough shape.

Restoration Design sells and stamps the reproduction tin that has the stamped features like OEM made from Galvaneal which is better than OEM at resisting corrosion.