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.
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It’s been a while since I’ve looked but don’t recall having that metal backing. Mine (74) just clips onto the fiberboard, I think.

I think the metal backing is stock. I suggest an LED bulb so the plastic doesn't melt like many have if the light is left on too long.

I have not seen an original repro with the white button and chrome surround. Used ones are ridiculously expensive. Aftermarket with black button and no chrome surrounds work, but I had to wrap double sided tape around it, to keep it from falling out. I also switched to an LED bulb available at Walmart and other places to stop it from melting.

exact same light is in a 70s beetle beyond a certain date.

its a junkyard job if you want to find an original one.
go look for beetles.

good luck.

otherwise get the repro with the black switch.

@StarBear is right i believe. its been a while since i was in the back of mine but that backpad has been repaired i think.
probably fibreboard let go and got chewed up from replacing melted lights too many times.

This was not posted in originality...I've seen this done a few times, I thought it was a nice answer. http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showtopic=315994

Just a note to say that the metal strips at the side (of the light opening) ARE original. I recently made and added a set of them to a new 914rubber backpad molding/frame, based on the two original pads that I had on hand, having them. I had to create and add the metal tabs too for keeping the whole thing to the firewall (but that’s another story)..Here’s the tabs for the light:

Will this fit? Looks pretty close to the original 914 version. Except for the Hella lens pattern.

https://www.jbugs.com/product/211947111BC.html

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I Would totally go with the $20. Light from JBugs.

If the size is not perfect, make it fit

Bob B

that bus light is much bigger than the smaller beetle light that was fitted to 914s.

I would not buy the JBugs Beetle light. I did, and it did not have the right-angled tabs along the bottom. They stuck straight out so hit the backboard before the light snapped in place. I tried to bend the tabs but one broke. I ordered one from Stoddard and the tabs were correctly bent as shown in the OP's pic. I think it was $25 at the time.

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.

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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.


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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.
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Jesus, what a can of worms , can’t anything be easy !!


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Thanks guys. All good information. I should have gone to Stoddard first. I'll call them later today.

That brown interior!

A few have mentioned an LED bulb to replace the standard one. What is the designation number/code for the correct one?

The light in my 914 is a rocker type. Centered is switch activated, tilted one way is always off, another, always on.

Not original 914?

Small, bad picture, was of the whole windshield out:

In my 6 #41 @ PMB ---- 911 part real metal, just a touch wider
you can do it and it looks great IMHO


Bob B

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Ah ha! Thanks @burton73 that explains things. It was already in the backpad, the PO must have installed it.

Don't know about where you live, but out here in California you don't find any VW Bugs in the junkyards anymore. They are worth too much.

Who really cares? These stupid lights get way too much conversation. Just put in what you can get new for a low, fare price and leave these special lights for the concourse guys. You can keep looking for the unicorn light and can move on to more important things

Most guys have so much else wrong with their cars I guess picking on a little light make some guys feel better.

Best to you 914 Brothers Bob B

I do not know where I got these lights but the price was around $10 i few years ago


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Now paint that black switch white for CW
I have a broken one with a white switch if wanted

Tom

I have the same light 8.99

i guess so.

they are still to be found here in up country junkyards.
but not in numbers like 30 years ago.

beetle kooks don't do resto here.
they build slammed empi part look-a-likes and wear mouth guards on the drive to cars and coffee. 70s bugs/super bugs are considered un-interesting. you will find the lights in those.

buses - a different matter.

thats a tip for those guys who want to go find one without paying $3,000 on ebay.
they are out there and are not unicorns. nor special to 914s. but they weren't on anything except 914s and beetles.

the type 3 light is the same as the 911 light burton73 has put up.
its a nicely made light and there are plenty around either repro or second hand.
with a bit of mucking around they fit in too.
probably should have been the light they put in 914s to begin with but were penny pinching at VW.
burton's light looks pretty good --- it will probably last 50 years without breaking.