Backpad light, Is a correct light available? Options

[robkammer]

Hey Teeners! Getting close to finishing up the BB interior, electrical issues are resolved and carpet is almost in. When the car came to me the backpad light was inoperable and missing. That circuit was also dead. Got the wiring right and ordered a new reproduction light. (the second one tested OK.) Went to install it and find that the backpad is much thicker than the new light is designed to clip to. I've included a picture of the metal tangs on the back side of the pad, they are a good 1/4" from the vinyl on the front.
The backpad looks to be original, it's had some repairs to the masonite but the vinyl appears to be original. Any input would be appreciated.
Rob

[wonkipop]

attached my original that came with car.
it broke 30 years ago.
about 2 years ago i kind of repaired it as best i could to have as a desperation spare.




you can see in the photos the problem in a nutshell.
originals have a tab positioned on one side which is set sufficient depth to key with the backpad.
same goes with the metal spring clip and the positioning of the bent indent.

back 30 years ago i figured out the replacement black switch lights that superceded the original types (fitted to golfs) did not fit well - the indents and spring clip were not the same. i went to a VW wrecker in my city with my broken 914 one - he took one look at it and said it was a beetle light. i managed to get 2 out of him.
the light was in beetles from about 1970 on. that was a quarter of a century ago.
if you could find a VW wrecker who still has stuff on their shelves you would probably manage to get one.

problem with the typical ones sold now by porsche/vw aftermarket shops is
1) the restraining tabs and spring are not sufficiently distanced.
2) the construction and castings are cheap and prone to breakage.

its a bit of a problem.

i did poke around in the back of a 1990s VW transporter that was in the workshop where i recommissioned my 914 a couple of years ago.
found these.
they are not original in appearance but are well made german hella lights.
exactly the right size and do the three switch position thing.
i've got one as a back up in my box of spares since the bug lights i do have are incredibly frail at this point in time. i've got one of those bug lights in the car and one for back up and the original one i repaired. each time you take one out you hold your breath removing it.





here is one of the bug lights i got 30 years ago.
still in car.
same part as fitted originally to 914s.
really early 914s might have had the earlier bug light which did not have a flush switch but had a kind of domed switch. but this is the right one for later 914s.
so if you go on the search and find a good VW wrecker you might turn one up.

[Montreal914]

That brown interior! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wub.gif)