Hi guy's, i am new to the 914 world so go gentle on me.
I am currently interested in buying my first 914 which is a French delivered car that was produced 5/71. I was wondering why the dash on this car looks like it is lacking switches to the dashboard. I have used the search feature with no luck.

Can anyone shed any light on the reason.?

Many thanks in advance
Dave


WhatsApp Image 2023-12-27 at 11.45.37_454eaf08 by stretch1985, on Flickr

WhatsApp Image 2023-12-27 at 11.45.37_a4a3d939 by stretch1985, on Flickr

Greetings and welcome to the madness.
I can assume that there are no auxiliary lights in the front bumper? That would account for no corresponding switch to the left of the column - but the one that confuses me is the lack of emergency flasher switch. Is it possible that the lower dash was recovered and the switch is dangling behind as opposed to being installed in its appropriate hole?

To the right of the column, there could have been a rear defroster switch but if that option was not ordered (you don't have wires embedded in the rear window, right?) the only thing that would be there is the lighter.

So...assuming no lights in the bumper, the only one you're truly "missing" is the flasher....

Hi Brian,

thanks for the welcome and your reply. Here's the front so assume the hazard switch has gone missing somewhere. Best ask the seller.


WhatsApp Image 2023-12-27 at 11.42.30_b9027a63 by stretch1985, on Flickr

Given that you have the auxiliary lights in the bumper, the switch for those has gone missing as well. This definitely calls for an explanation.

I hesitate to call them “fog” or “driving” lights…it’ll start a whole different conversation.

Does it look like the dash material on the left is different from that on the right?

Something’s up here. You can’t just simply eliminate the flasher switch…

Hello Aux Lights!

Here we go....

74 french owners manual.
(just in case the french were being typically french. )


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your missing some switches!

I wonder (HOPE) they're just loose behind the dash. The aux lights COULD be wired to just operate in conjunction with the headlights (on w/low beams, off w/high or something...) but taking the flasher switch out would seem somewhat convoluted and still have everything else work correctly.

I could be wrong though.

Ok...I have an answer. There is no Hazard switch as these were not compulsory in France until 1972.

Interesting - and happy to hear that it's correct.
Very fun detail.

so the french were being typically french - for as long as the could resist.

certainly adds to 914 minimalism (or i should subtracts).

i drive a 172 renault clio as my other fun car.
and it sure is fun.
got a soft spot for french cars.
even had a citroen xm for a while. but gave up on it. fun while it lasted.

stumbled on this attempting research into euro 74 1.8s.

italian market 914s.
also seemed to have no emergency flasher similar to french market.

72.

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73

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don't know if prof johnson picked this up in his last edition of restorers guide.
but not in the first edition i have from decades ago.

@ beltwerks

Something is off on this car. It has dash vents from a 72-76. That vented lower dash pad won’t just bolt onto a 71. Is there something funky going on or is this a 72. Have someone who really knows 914’s look at this car before you buy it.

@mepstein

euro cars do not have vin stickers like US cars with date of production on a sticker in the door jamb. the vin sticker is purely a north american market thing.
no vin sticker just the production plate in the frunk and also the VW production number in the door jamb on euro cars.

it is possible his info on 5/71 is off as one possibility. what is the source of that info?.
would need the production number to check it.

its also possible the dash gets updated on euro delivery cars at some point in late 71 production. have now seen enough random stuff on updates in 74 MY USA delivery to make me think a lot of this info on production changes needs serious research checking.
so much info on the 74 1.8s was off the mark until we got to looking at it a couple of years ago.

could be nothing, could be something funny. I still suggest having a knowledgeable 914 person look at the car before purchasing.

We do a surprisingly amount of post purchase inspections, only to give people disappointing news. A thorough pre purchase inspection is a much better move.

Thanks Mark. I think i will pass on this car as it's top money too. Seen a US delivered 73 today, but with no metal tag inside the front trunk.? I need to do more research on these cars being a newbie.