Appearance Group Console Height, ….shorter if car had A/C unit? Options

[swm914]

Does anyone know if the appearance group console is less in height if a 914 had installed A/C?

Since I bought my '74 2.0 in Dec., I've often wondered that when I see pictures of other 914's w/o A/C. It seems as if the console is taller than mine and there is little or no gap between the top of the console to the dash to accommodate an A/C unit on photos I look at. I stare at mine and it seems shorter with the A/C unit stuck in between the console and then dash.

Where they cut down? Is it my imagination? Do you guys have a "gap" in between the top of the console and the dash on cars w/o an A/C unit?

I don't have access to other 914's to get a close look and compare. I'm trying to compare by pictures etc.

Also, interestingly, I read that historically A/C was dealer installed. Mine has A/C on the original window sticker and there is a factory like sticker on the drivers door that makes reference to A/C. Any thoughts on that? (I've tried my 1st photo add so these may or may not be any good) Thanks
Steve

[dr914@autoatlanta.com]

Does anyone know if the appearance group console is less in height if a 914 had installed A/C?

Since I bought my '74 2.0 in Dec., I've often wondered that when I see pictures of other 914's w/o A/C. It seems as if the console is taller than mine and there is little or no gap between the top of the console to the dash to accommodate an A/C unit on photos I look at. I stare at mine and it seems shorter with the A/C unit stuck in between the console and then dash.

Where they cut down? Is it my imagination? Do you guys have a "gap" in between the top of the console and the dash on cars w/o an A/C unit?

I don't have access to other 914's to get a close look and compare. I'm trying to compare by pictures etc.

Also, interestingly, I read that historically A/C was dealer installed. Mine has A/C on the original window sticker and there is a factory like sticker on the drivers door that makes reference to A/C. Any thoughts on that? (I've tried my 1st photo add so these may or may not be any good) Thanks
Steve

Looks like the window sticker you show makes reference only to the "fresh air ventilation" That of course is not ac. The air conditioning units were ALWAYS installed at the dealerships, although the 914-4s were designed so that the ac system could be easily installed. Two units vpc (volkswagen products) and dpd (I forget the guys name in texas) were available. The easiest way to tell them apart is by the font trunk condenser the vpc being silver and rectangular and the dpd black with a top hat that would fit the spare tire.
Whenever a appearance group car was fitted with air conditioning, the early cars had the deposit box removed and the later cars had to have the console cut down to fit. The insructions provided to the dealers had a cutting template included and the template for the vpc and the dpd varied so one cutdown console will not fit the other unit. Many of these "cutdowns" were done very poorly by kids working at the dealerships. There was never a "factory" cutdown console.