VIN Page Options

[robkammer]

Hello all: I'm new to the 914 world and am hoping to add a 2.0 to our garage soon. I have seen references to a VIN page in the forums but can't find it on the site.
Can someone point me in the right direction?
Thanks

[JeffBowlsby]

Checking a few archives:

The center gauge console was first offered for the 1973 2.0L and only the 2.0L. I am sure a dealer could get the needed parts and install it in any 914 as has been done many times over the years. See page 19.
https://bowlsby.net/914/Classic/zMan_1973_S...iningManual.pdf

The targa vinyl became standard on all 914s (except the USA LE cars and apparently the 1.8L ROW market cars) beginning with the 1974 model year. Interestingly (to me anyway) the 1974 914GT (German market LE) had the vinyl, yet the 914SL (Japan market) did not. Its my understanding that Porsche designers wanted to make these limited edition cars in their various markets, be stylistically different from the standard model year cars. See page 5.
https://bowlsby.net/914/Classic/zMan_1974_2...iningManual.pdf

[wonkipop]

Checking a few archives:

The center gauge console was first offered for the 1973 2.0L and only the 2.0L. I am sure a dealer could get the needed parts and install it in any 914 as has been done many times over the years. See page 19.
https://bowlsby.net/914/Classic/zMan_1973_S...iningManual.pdf

The targa vinyl became standard on all 914s (except the USA LE cars and apparently the 1.8L ROW market cars) beginning with the 1974 model year. Interestingly (to me anyway) the 1974 914GT (German market LE) had the vinyl, yet the 914SL (Japan market) did not. Its my understanding that Porsche designers wanted to make these limited edition cars in their various markets, be stylistically different from the standard model year cars. See page 5.
https://bowlsby.net/914/Classic/zMan_1974_2...iningManual.pdf

makes sense re german market GT.
from the few genuine euro market 1.8s i have dug up all were no vinyl.
even one 75 that had a gauge/console.
almost as if german or european taste was headed towards back trim and no vinyl and away from chrome at that time. divergent from USA taste.

thanks for confirming my file info on the 74 on USA 1.8s

i used to know an old german VW mechanic here who i think is still alive.
its been years since i have seen his 2 914s but i believe he still has them.
one was a last of the line german 75 2.0
i can recall it well. no vinyl targa bar. but it had guages and console.
it was an original car in excellent condition that he inported in to aus from germany way back. late 70s or early 80s i recall.
i should go out and see him before its too late and see if can get some photos of it.