Settled - Side Valences are affixed with plastic button head rivets, 'Rocker panel' rivets Options

[JeffBowlsby]

We know of two docmented original 914s, both have side valances attached with plastic buttonhead rivets, not aluminum rivets.

Black rivets for cars with black valances
Clear rivets for the 1974 LE cars with the yellow or orange valances

PET also only lists the plastic button head rivets.

All the photos of 914s with aluminum rivets are not original, are commonly available and have been replaced at some point.

Thanks to George Hussey, Steve Gaglione (2nd owner of very orignal Sahara Beige) and Alberto Favilla (original owner) and to Rich Daunhauer (914Werke) for their knowledge.

[KELTY360]

That seems premature and arbitrary to make an absolute statement like that. I’m not looking to be argumentative, but the sample size seems small and leaves no room for the variances that have been observed. Have you surveyed the production numbers to see if there are any groupings with the ‘non original’ rivets or is it just random? Is the PET contemporaneous with the models in question, or is it a recent publication?

It would seem appropriate to survey the members of this group to see if there are any consistent variances. I’m not an expert on 914 originality but I’ve been active in the old car community for over 35 years and have observed many instances of settled pronouncements that have been disproved. I’m not saying you’re wrong; but I’m concerned about the process in light of contrary evidence.

Disclaimer: I own a low mileage ‘74 2.0 LE with a preponderance of original features that has the ‘non-original’ aluminum rivets.

[scallyk9]

That seems premature and arbitrary to make an absolute statement like that. I’m not looking to be argumentative, but the sample size seems small and leaves no room for the variances that have been observed. Have you surveyed the production numbers to see if there are any groupings with the ‘non original’ rivets or is it just random? Is the PET contemporaneous with the models in question, or is it a recent publication?

It would seem appropriate to survey the members of this group to see if there are any consistent variances. I’m not an expert on 914 originality but I’ve been active in the old car community for over 35 years and have observed many instances of settled pronouncements that have been disproved. I’m not saying you’re wrong; but I’m concerned about the process in light of contrary evidence.

Disclaimer: I own a low mileage ‘74 2.0 LE with a preponderance of original features that has the ‘non-original’ aluminum rivets.

Agreed. My experience is based on two 1974 914s; produced Nov. 1973 and the LE during March 1974. The LE had been unrestored and according to Mark at Eurotech Bodywerkes, the yellow rocker covers or panels had not been previously removed. The six rivets along the upper edge were aluminum.

As for the PET, my copy, illustration number 801-20 calls the side rocker cover/valances as part number 10 "sill cover" and the Part #11 (999 591 550 14) as "expansion rivet" with the correct number of 12 as "QTY" and no mention as to whether it is made of plastic or aluminum and white with corrosion.

My copy of the PET shows the "scuff plate" (which I might call a threshold plate) on illustration 807-00 and calls out both aluminum and plastic scuff plates dependent on before or after VIN 47329 18919. It only lists one fastener as illustration #30 (Part #999 551 237 11) with no mention as to aluminum or plastic, black or clear.

Those "expansion rivet" part numbers are different but the descriptions of each are lacking as I often find using the PET. In summary, other than the word "expansion" possibly indicating the type of rivet, the PET is inconclusive in solving the controversary.

But...in Volume 8, Body, of my full printed Workshop Manual set, we may have an answer. On page 2.1-3/1 "Removing and Installing Side Member Rocker Panel", instruction #2 for removing says "Remove six plastic expanding rivets" and instruction #3 for installing says "Fasten panelling additionally with six plastic expanding rivets".

Personally, I didn't trust the clear and plastic rivets available for the plastic sill covers to attach steel to steel so I used aluminum rivets.

If any concours judges are reading this, please forget my last statement.