Hi Guys,
Since 6 weeks I own a 914 1.8 from 1974. Imported to The Netherlands from California. The condiction is basically very nice, very minor hell hole and some rust in the rear of the trunk.
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The rear end appears to have had some damage which was repaired in a sloppy way. They did some brazing with copper en the seams are untidy (see pics). Also there are 2 round holes which were covered with a plate which was also brazzed on. I removed the 2 plates and the holes in the rear panel are pervfectly round and appear to be standard. Some questions:
1. What are these holes for?
2. What is the standard finish of these holes?
3. I checked already many 914 rear end pics but was never able to see these holes or covers...

Pictures:
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Thxs for any help...

The 75 and 76 models used the rubber impact bumpers that need two large holes in the front and rear of the car to mount the bumper shocks. I wonder if someone either replaced the rear panel from a 75-76 donor or the car is a 75-76 with back dated bumpers.

Moron with hole saw. Not a 75-76 rear panel.

75-76 holes would be under the trunk floor level

Trunk floors are different for 75/76 cars. The trunk floor sits higher to allow access for the shocks. It looks to me that a 75/76 taillight panel was welded to the back of the ‘74 car.

Drainage?

Any unusual seams in the rear trunk or near firewalls?

certainly butchery, but maybe someone was pulling out the rear end at one time, and put big pulling plates inside the trunk with loops on them, and needed the holes to clear the chains that were attached to them and then to the frame machine. The large size enabled the chain to move side to side depending on the pulling angle needed???

75-76 with backdated bumper holes

Those are the holes for the late model bumper shocks.

Since your rear trunk floor looks like an early one, i think it is safe to say that someone put a late model rear panel on that car.


PS:

Everyone massive thanks for the information... Now I understand what they did. Going to correct it the best way possible. And get rid of rust forming in the brazing.