Silver Series 914 Options

[ruddyboys]

While looking in the classics section on the Porsche site, they a write-up on every year 914. In '75 they say they had a Silver Series 914? Anyone ever see one of these. Heres the quote:

In the model year 1975 the ”Sunshine Coupé”, as it was called in a VW-Porsche advertisement, acquired safety bumpers which could withstand collision of up to eight km/h without sustaining damage. US versions had bumpers, shock absorbers and even rim flanges in some states. American VW-Porsche drivers also had to accept a further loss of power if they chose the two-litre variant. The statutory exhaust detoxification measures meant that the engine achieved only 88 HP while the European Porsche 914 buyers were still able to enjoy a full 100 HP. They could also opt for another custom model, the so-called silver series. This was a 914 2.0 with silver bodywork and a few extras including aluminium wheels and tinted windows. Optional accessories for all 914 models also included a redesigned front spoiler.
In 1975 two motoring magazines began a survey of VW-Porsche 914 owners. The American specialist journal Road & Track, for instance, asked the question: ”Would you buy the 914 again?” An impressive 89 percent answered with a clear ”yes”. Those questioned by the German specialist publication sport auto revealed themselves to be particularly sporty drivers. 82 percent admitted to having bought the 914 for its road holding and 79 percent wanted even more power.

[Gustl]

the Silver Series was only available in Germany and only in 1975
they spent all optional parts they had on stock (center console, pile type carpets, sway bars, tinted glass, special front spoiler, mahle alloys, ...)
but it was only available in silver metallic (what a surprise (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif) )

unfortunately there are hardly any information about the silver series (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/sad.gif)
neither Porsche nor Karmann have any detailed records

one of my German friends is a kind of "silver series specialist"
he told me:
the VIN should be somewhere between 47 5 29 11224 - 11366
DGVWPB says it was a limited series from 100 cars
Porsche Classic says there were about 142 cars produced

[Eddie Williams]

very interesting. I've always wondered about mine, it's paint code is L97A, vin#2907013. The paint code always had me curious. It's not a standard color.

[McMark]

Eddie, L97A is listed as Diamond Silver Metallic. A 75-mid 80s color. Just FYI. Of course I can't find any other silvers listed from any sources to confirm the L96D code for Silver. (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/sad.gif)

EDIT: A google search shows that L96D is indeed correct for 914 Silver. The only thing now is to make sure they didn't change the code of all the silvers to L97A in 75.

Anyone have an original silver 75 they can confirm the paint code out of?

[Allan]

"75 2.0. Paint color code L96D. It's purdy...........

[davep]

QUOTE (McMark @ Jul 5 2005, 09:42 AM)

EDIT: A google search shows that L96D is indeed correct for 914 Silver. The only thing now is to make sure they didn't change the code of all the silvers to L97A in 75.

AFAIK the code changed in 1975 from L96D to L97A, and I doubt that it is exactly the same color or formulation. They had a lot of paint problems with the early silver.

[McMark]

Thanks Allan. Maybe I can get you to post your production date? (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/wink.gif)

[JeffBowlsby]

QUOTE

the VIN should be somewhere between 47 5 29 11224 - 11366 DGVWPB says it was a limited series from 100 cars Porsche Classic says there were about 142 cars produced

Wow...that alone says alot. The serial numbers span exactly 142 cars just as Porsche Classics suggests....

Wolfgang, do any of our European bretheren ever get a COA? If so...would the 'SilberSeries' be mentioned on the COA? How about any known window stickers from the SS cars...are any known to exist?

[Allan]

QUOTE (McMark @ Jul 5 2005, 11:06 AM)

Thanks Allan. Maybe I can get you to post your production date? (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/wink.gif)

10/74...

[Bleyseng]

So this is the Famous 914 SS model?

[Gustl]

QUOTE (bowlsby @ Jul 5 2005, 09:19 PM)

Wolfgang, do any of our European bretheren ever get a COA?  If so...would the 'SilberSeries' be mentioned on the COA?  How about any known window stickers from the SS cars...are any known to exist?

Jeff, I do know that there was/is a very similar document to the COA in Germany
by now I don't know if there is one from a SS and if it mentioned the feature?
but I'll ask Mike - the specialist (same for the window sticker)
I do know that Porsche Classic confirmed the car from Thomas Viets as a SS - I'll try to get a copy of his document

[McMark]

QUOTE (Gustl @ Jul 5 2005, 12:51 PM)

QUOTE (bowlsby @ Jul 5 2005, 09:19 PM) Wolfgang, do any of our European bretheren ever get a COA?  If so...would the 'SilberSeries' be mentioned on the COA?  How about any known window stickers from the SS cars...are any known to exist? Jeff, I do know that there was/is a very similar document to the COA in Germany by now I don't know if there is one from a SS and if it mentioned the feature? but I'll ask Mike - the specialist (same for the window sticker) I do know that Porsche Classic confirmed the car from Thomas Viets as a SS - I'll try to get a copy of his document

Yes! Anything you can find out from the fatherland would help out greatly.

1. VIN
2. Paint Code
3. Production Date
4. any official documentation
5. anything else

[Gustl]

might take a couple of days, but I'll do my very best (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/rolleyes.gif)

[Gustl]

well, now I've got a little more info from Mike - there might come more (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/smile.gif)

the color code for the silver series cars is L97A (diamant silver metallic) - this is stamped at the badge
the company intern code is Z4V9

the also discussed L96D (silver metallic) was used on earlier model years (therefore not for SS cars) - it's a little darker

all the SS cars should be made early after the beginning of model year 1975 - about 8/75 or so


here's a pic from 47 5 29 11249 (Mike's car)

[Gustl]

here's a document from Porsche Classic Germany
it confirms, that 47 5 29 11303 - the car from Thoma Viets (Germany) - is a silver series car
it also tells about that there were about 142 SS cars produced

[McMark]

Sounds like Eddie's got a very special car!!!!!! (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/smilie_pokal.gif) Thanks for getting the info. Anything else you can find out would be awesome.

[JeffBowlsby]

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif) (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/smilie_pokal.gif) (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/cool.gif)

Thanks Wolfgang!

Could you also translate that document for us? It looks like the very early COAs we have here in the USA too. 914 Owners would contact Porsche Classics who would respond with a simple letter with details.

I have little doubt that if this current owner would contct PCNA they could also get a COA and I bet it would indicate that it is a SS too. All they need is the application, the fee and proof of ownership.

[Eddie Williams]

My VIN doesn' fall in the series, but I guess a color change is out of the question now.

[Dead Air]

QUOTE (ruddyboys @ Jul 5 2005, 07:11 AM)

Those questioned by the German specialist publication sport auto revealed themselves to be particularly sporty drivers. 82 percent admitted to having bought the 914 for its road holding and 79 percent wanted even more power.

[QUOTE]

21 % were happy with the power? (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/confused24.gif)

[Gustl]

when I posted the above info this morning I was in a hurry - had a 17 hrs trip across Austria this day (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/wacko.gif)
I'll provide a translation of the document and the real COA of 47 5 29 11303 by tomorrow morning - I'm too tiered now (IMG:http://www.pff-online.de/wbb2/images/smilies/sleep.gif)

(IMG:http://www.pff-online.de/pics/wave.gif) Gustl