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?

[morsmanlaw]

Mike Fugate, also here in Tulsa, has a '75 in Malaga Red, and it is definitely a different, noticeably darker red.

I should also mention that the inside of the rear trunk does not appear to have been painted, as it is a very slightly different shade than the exterior of the car. It is clearly Scarlet Red.

Here's mine:

[Tom_T]

Mike Fugate, also here in Tulsa, has a '75 in Malaga Red, and it is definitely a different, noticeably darker red.

I should also mention that the inside of the rear trunk does not appear to have been painted, as it is a very slightly different shade than the exterior of the car. It is clearly Scarlet Red.

Here's mine:

Ooooo nice! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/drooley.gif)

So you know it's not Malaga, & so the mis-stamped L30C theory doesn't hold up - & as I said, the mis-stamping of all but 1 digit is highly unlikely, unless it was just a complete plate mix-up - also less than likely. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif)

As for the trunk paint being slightly different - & same for any area away from sunlight - that is not at all uncommon for colors prone to sun fading - & reds are notoriously the worst for sunfading, so that is to be expected, & good painters will use the trunks & other "hidden" interior areas to paint match for proper color repaints - rather than matching an already faded exterior (unless they're trying to match a spot repair on the outside to the then existing state of the color).

I go back to my other suggestions above, to check for consistent VINs & Chassis Nos. at all points, then to do some deeper research for untouched areas which might still have the L20C Nepal there, but not easily showing (add to that looking up under the dash - way up - to see if there is any Nepal over spray up there.

That said, if it was treated to a full bare metal rotisserie or other full strip & repaint resto at the time the red was painted, then you won't find any remnants anywhere in all probability.

However, that doesn't make the L20C on the Karmann Plate incorrect, so if you match all numbers & find or not find remnants of Nepal - then I would still suggest that you call PCNA's COA department & ask fro somebody experienced with 914s & older Porsches, then go thru it all with them, & ask them to look on the actual microfilmed Kardex for your car to see what it actually says on that original document while you're on the phone.

Then, depending on what they find, ask for the COA to be corrected to match either the Kardex &/or your Karmann Plate's L20C on the car, as appropriate. You'll want the COA on your car to match the Kardex &/or Karmann Plate - not what may appear to be the color everywhere on the car per your looking, for authenticity's sake.

I've given you the other info above, & IMHO I think that in all probability your car was originally painted per the L20C plate & then changed later - just my gut feel for what you've told us.

BTW - Curt has been trying to get the OK & surrounding states' 914ers together for a weekend Talimena 914 Run (Talihena OK to Mena AR & back), so get yourself & Mike (& other locals) with him to plan & run it. He's shown me some excellent pix of it from past years with dozens of beautiful 914s on a bridge. IIRC Sir Andy is in one or more of them. The pix alone are worth a group planning breakfast or lunch for you 914 folks in the Tulsey Town area.

BTW 2 - I get back to Tulsa/NE-OK/Sallisaw several times a year, & when I can, Curt & I usually get together for some BBQ or something, at which you & Mike are welcome to join us. Curt's 914 is also Scarlet IIRC, so the 3 red 914s will look great all lined up in the parking lot at whatever BBQ place we pick. I'm still due for another half-n-half chili cheese burger & fries at Ron's sometime soon! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/chowtime.gif)

PS - I see the extra "bumperettes" on your rear bumper, so I suspect yours was originally a California car, since IIRC only CA required those on the 75-76 914s, along with the crapalytic converters - so check for some California Emissions Compliance stickers in the engine bay too.

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

[morsmanlaw]

Mike Fugate, also here in Tulsa, has a '75 in Malaga Red, and it is definitely a different, noticeably darker red.

I should also mention that the inside of the rear trunk does not appear to have been painted, as it is a very slightly different shade than the exterior of the car. It is clearly Scarlet Red.

Here's mine:

Ooooo nice! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/drooley.gif)

So you know it's not Malaga, & so the mis-stamped L30C theory doesn't hold up - & as I said, the mis-stamping of all but 1 digit is highly unlikely, unless it was just a complete plate mix-up - also less than likely. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif)

As for the trunk paint being slightly different - & same for any area away from sunlight - that is not at all uncommon for colors prone to sun fading - & reds are notoriously the worst for sunfading, so that is to be expected, & good painters will use the trunks & other "hidden" interior areas to paint match for proper color repaints - rather than matching an already faded exterior (unless they're trying to match a spot repair on the outside to the then existing state of the color).

I go back to my other suggestions above, to check for consistent VINs & Chassis Nos. at all points, then to do some deeper research for untouched areas which might still have the L20C Nepal there, but not easily showing (add to that looking up under the dash - way up - to see if there is any Nepal over spray up there.

That said, if it was treated to a full bare metal rotisserie or other full strip & repaint resto at the time the red was painted, then you won't find any remnants anywhere in all probability.

However, that doesn't make the L20C on the Karmann Plate incorrect, so if you match all numbers & find or not find remnants of Nepal - then I would still suggest that you call PCNA's COA department & ask fro somebody experienced with 914s & older Porsches, then go thru it all with them, & ask them to look on the actual microfilmed Kardex for your car to see what it actually says on that original document while you're on the phone.

Then, depending on what they find, ask for the COA to be corrected to match either the Kardex &/or your Karmann Plate's L20C on the car, as appropriate. You'll want the COA on your car to match the Kardex &/or Karmann Plate - not what may appear to be the color everywhere on the car per your looking, for authenticity's sake.

I've given you the other info above, & IMHO I think that in all probability your car was originally painted per the L20C plate & then changed later - just my gut feel for what you've told us.

BTW - Curt has been trying to get the OK & surrounding states' 914ers together for a weekend Talimena 914 Run (Talihena OK to Mena AR & back), so get yourself & Mike (& other locals) with him to plan & run it. He's shown me some excellent pix of it from past years with dozens of beautiful 914s on a bridge. IIRC Sir Andy is in one or more of them. The pix alone are worth a group planning breakfast or lunch for you 914 folks in the Tulsey Town area.

BTW 2 - I get back to Tulsa/NE-OK/Sallisaw several times a year, & when I can, Curt & I usually get together for some BBQ or something, at which you & Mike are welcome to join us. Curt's 914 is also Scarlet IIRC, so the 3 red 914s will look great all lined up in the parking lot at whatever BBQ place we pick. I'm still due for another half-n-half chili cheese burger & fries at Ron's sometime soon! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/chowtime.gif)

PS - I see the extra "bumperettes" on your rear bumper, so I suspect yours was originally a California car, since IIRC only CA required those on the 75-76 914s, along with the crapalytic converters - so check for some California Emissions Compliance stickers in the engine bay too.

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

Correct - it is an original California car. I had the smog stuff taken off at Rennsport in Tulsa and have it all in a box. Not decided whether to sell it off or keep it for a future owner. The car went to Vancouver, BC, and then to Calgary, AB, where I bought it from Porsche Centre Calgary.

The areas around the fuel tank and brake master cylinder have clearly never been painted, and are obviously Scarlet Red. There's not a speck of Nepal Orange on the car. The chassis number on the Karmann tag matches the number on the tag next to the passenger-side headlight motor.

At this point, I think I am leaning toward Hans or Franz having a bad day in 1974, though the idea of contacting Porsche directly is interesting. Do you have the number for that department, or should I just contact the local Porsche dealer?