Oddities 1974 914, Strange things about my 1974 914 Options

[SteveNMaine]

I recently started a restoration on a 1974 914 and I have found some oddities. First of all the ID numbers match, 4742920XXX, and the door jam ID plate shows the mfg date is 1974.

I believe it was originally a 1.8L however the engine code is W0016751 which indicates a 1.7L 1970-71 model year. And it has a side shifter transmission.

I am working on the parking brake at present, and it is the folding type which indicates an early model not a 1974. I know my 1973 did have a folding handle as well.

So my question is this, was there some mixing and matching of older model parts in later models?

[davep]

There are three tells for the 1.8 engine. The badge on the rear trunk, the engine compliance decal above the relay panel in engine compartment, and the tire decal on the gas tank ( SR tire for 1.8 and HR tire for 2.0).
Definitely, with 50 years after production a lot can happen to one of these cars. An engine swap is common. Other changes such as the parking brake lever are less common, but not surprising.
I have the means to determine the original configuration.