these are the first 1000 73's reslated from europe to california for u.s. demand that year. this is the letter sent out inquiring info from the owners registered on 914club. i hope to acumulate more responses and facts for these 914's. enjoy and input welcome.
pictures may not transfer from my word document to this topic



Thanks to all those who have responded and participated in my fact gathering on the first 1000 1973 Porsche 914’s. There are 32 registered owners on the 914world.com at present. generally these cars are known as “first 1000” . These cars where originally built and equipped for the European market. Because of high demand in the U.S. in 1973, the first 1000 V.I.N.# 914’s that where slated for Europe but sent to California dealers. From my findings I’m impressed with this nitch 914 because it is in my opinion a very balanced 914. By that I mean it’s got the benefits of a factory improved and upgrades that come from a few years of production. It’s especially desirable for auto crossing due to factory upgrades and is lighter than U.S. 73 and up models, but without the heavy smog equipment that comes with later models.

The below information is a collection of facts about this car from my own and other early 1000 owners (4732900000 thru 4732900999). There are 32 members in the 914 roster that have v.i.n. #’s that fall in this category and have been contacted. This info has been submitted by these club members:
1 David chapman “iamchappy”
2 John lush “johnlush”
3 Mark allen
4 Pete stout
5 Bruce alert “Bruce Allert”
6 Ray warren “Ray Warren”
7 Steve
8 “tommy914”
9 Mihai
10 Andrew
11 Kenny Miller “orange914”

Here are some of the unique facts I’ve learned, any additional info would be great!:

1 vinyl on a-pillars (around windshield)
2 front hubs non-hubcentric (72 earlier style)
3 turn signal switch/wiring harness (72 earlier style)
4 doors lightweight/non reinforced (u.s.1973 and up had 200#’s of reinforcement)
5 1.7 liter fuel injected engine
6 Side shift transmission
7 15x5.5 dealer installed “Dan gurney” wheels, sometimes called western spoke rims
8 1970-1972 headlight switch and wiring
9 1970-1972 light rain tray
10 Sold out of California dealerships

I’ve listed my letter and its responses from the owners on their cars and any pictures that they sent of their early 1000 1973 914’s! Hope this helps all.

My son Kenny’s (orange914) 1973


http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2276802

Thanks, Kenny “orange914”

The “request” letter I sent out:

>i was looking up my sons 73 vin #(4732900157), its
one of the first 1000 73's built as is yours according
to the vin #'s. from what i've learned the first 1000
73's were exported from europe to the states due to
high demand. there were several desirable features
like non-reinforsed lighter doors (in u.s. they
required 200# heavier reinforsed doors) and other
oddities like front a-pillars were vynal covered
unlike any other 914's. i'd like to talk with you
about your 914 and knowledge on these.


The returned responses:

John Lush
Hi Mike,

All I had ever heard was that things like the door beams were mid-year
model changes. I bought my car from probably the second or third owner
in '93 (I think). I bought it in Colorado but the paperwork indicates
it was sold new in California. It had been repainted prior to me
getting it and there was no vinyl on the A-pillars - but - it is a
pretty basic model with the 1.7, steel wheels and black bumpers. It has
been off the road for several years while I've been slowly doing a /6
conversion on it. Anything specific you want me to look at for you?

John

Hi Mike,

My Vin is # 473290XXXX and I do have the early doors without reinforcement and also the early window winding mechanism, which makes me wonder if the doors, even though they are the same original color, are truly the door that came on it.
I have another set of 73 1/2 doors from another car with the reinforcement which fit a little bigger in the door opening which make much tighter gaps. I have no history of this car other than I purchased it about four years ago from a PCA club racer in Ramona, Cal. the car was pretty well stripped as this was a track car but it had been correctly converted at one time using the stock 914 6 parts into a six.The wiring harness was still intact and the car came with all the goodies. I have converted it back to a street car using the parts from the 73 1/2 which I had owned since new. the 73 1/2 car had very rusty longs and I choose not to restore it. Everything else on the car was in excellent condition. I Ebayed out the parts I no longer needed and am making this car into a real beautiful monster with everything else. All new trim, and paint very soon the body shop gets it this week. I just picked up my freshly built 3.12 turbo twin plug engine that will power it. I hope its on the road by the end of the month.
Watch for my posts on the 914 turbo carrera.

David
Mike here is my info and picture of my car and engine:

David Chapman


chappy@mn.rr.com






"Mark Allen"

Hello, yes I do have an early 73 914. My car has the
lightweight doors, I wasn't sure if these were from a
earlier car or not. My pillars are the normal trim, no
vinyl.

My car has been highly modified. I have a 3.2L 911 6
cyl in it at the moment.

What else have you found on early 73 cars.

Mark

Pet stout

Hey Mike,

Thanks for the email. I can confirm that my car is
indeed a bit of an oddity. It did indeed have the
vinyl-covered A pillars (since removed for the cars
one and only paint job).

I have also discovered the following 73 model
discrepancies:

-1970-72 headlight switch and wiring.
-1970-72 rain tray and engine lid with 1970-72 holes
for rain tray
-1970-72 doors (no impact bar)
-1970-72 window tracks and lack of fuzzy seals

However, it does have the well-known and very
desirable 1973 upgraded side-shift transmission.

I feel like there is something else missing that I am
forgetting, but I cannot remember. I did not know
about the Euro cars coming over to meet U.S. demand.
Very interesting...

My car was a 1.7 with the appearance package. Besides
the chrome, vinyl trim, and the foglights, it had
Pedrini alloys with black back grounding and silver
"trimming."

Thanks,
Pete

Bruce allert

WOW! super nice 914 Mike. Mine wasn't near that nice. I changed the interior from all black to black & tan. Carpets & door panels were tan with black arm rests. Left the seats & back pad black. Turned out quite well.
It'd been repainted but with the original Phoenix red. The repaint had some nice gold metallic within it so when the sun was out it glowed!
Here's a couple at AX...

....b
"Bruce Allert"


Hi Mike,
I don't have "Punkin" any longer. Gave up on it after the 3rd engine. Just couldn't keep it running right. Went from a Calif. 1.7 (which lost its #4 exhaust valve) to a 2.0. It started knocking at an auto cross. But neither seemed to run quite right.

I always thought there was something special about that car. It had the covered pillars as you said. It also had air conditioning. I still have the original 1.7 engine with the compressor and tin that had to be cut specifically for the comp. to fit. I installed factory sways front & rear and 100# springs. Also installed some height adjustable Bilsteins. What a difference those items made in it's cornering. Really kept it flat.

I loved that car but it let me down too many times. Could've been a prime candidate for a conversion but I didn't have the money or know how. I'm looking for a conversion be it Porsche 6, American V6 or V8.

If ya have any questions ask away. My email addy is

......b
any idea who's got it or where it ended up? i guess i wonder becouse it was built next to ours (00157-00158). my son's 914 is orange too. he's having fun showing it. i'll e-mail you a few pics
mike


Ray warren
Yes it was a 1.7 and still is 4 lug.
Nice looking car you have. Too bad about the accident.
Looks like you did a great job of fixing it.
Ray...

Subject: Re: 73 914
Date: Sat, 2 Sep 2006 18:16:47 -0700 (PDT)

RAY

did yours origanally come with 1.7 and 4 lug? nice car, good job on the resto. heres my sons 914
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2276802
mike

ray warren <rayjwarren@hotmail.com> wrote:
Yes, mine does have the lighter doors and vinyl on the pillars. (very rare)
You can see some pics of it at http://www.porsche914.ca.
Any other questions. just ask.
ray...

"ray warren"


Engine
--------------
Fuel Injection
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hi Mike,
I'm not much of an historian on these cars but you are correct about the vinyl and the doors. The vinyl was a special but the doors were left over parts before the previous model year I think. I don't know if the europeans got the light weight doors in the later year or not. We may also be running on the early front hubs as well.

My car is in pretty sad shape. I thought the rust was minimal in it but when I stripped it down I found the longs were pretty bad. It is going to cost me $3K for a restoration specialist to fix it and that is just a little too expensive for this car. I is a bit sad though - I've had the beast since 74. Tried to sell it when the second baby arrived but that didn't work and it got lost in the garage for 20 years. I've had a lot of fun tearing it down and learning how things work. Now I'll have to either find a new best friend who is a master welder or I'll have to give the project away to some young AXr looking for a project.

Cheers
Steve


Hi Mike,
I'll tell you some specifics on mine.

-it has the "light" doors.
-It HAD the vinyl around the windshield. Unfortunately, many years ago I didn't know this was factory and thought the previous owner had added it. So when it came time to paint it, I removed the vinyl. I was very surprised to find very little paint, mostly undercoating, under the vinly piece.

-the front brake rotors were not hub centric, but I swapped those out.

-the window mechanism matches the early models

-I think i remember that some of the wiring resembles the 72 harness. At least according to my Haynes manual

- the bumpers however matched a 73, tits in front

Picture from about 1988 attached, showing the car just before it got painted. I had already removed the vinyl. I can't find a picture from before that.

Let me know if you have any more questions. I can call tomorrow tommy914

Hi Mike,
I'm not much of an historian on these cars but you are correct about the vinyl and the doors. The vinyl was a special but the doors were left over parts before the previous model year I think. I don't know if the europeans got the light weight doors in the later year or not. We may also be running on the early front hubs as well.

My car is in pretty sad shape. I thought the rust was minimal in it but when I stripped it down I found the longs were pretty bad. It is going to cost me $3K for a restoration specialist to fix it and that is just a little too expensive for this car. I is a bit sad though - I've had the beast since 74. Tried to sell it when the second baby arrived but that didn't work and it got lost in the garage for 20 years. I've had a lot of fun tearing it down and learning how things work. Now I'll have to either find a new best friend who is a master welder or I'll have to give the project away to some young AXr looking for a project.

Cheers
Steve




Hello Mike, sorry for the late reply. I'll be glad to answer any questions you have. I'll give you a call sometime next week since my dad is in the hospital so I am quite taken up by that.

Differences I noticed about the car.

Early doors with no reinforcement and early style window mechanism.
Non hubcentric front rotors, I am not sure if the ball joints were early or late.
The car had no vinyl covering on the windshield frame, only the targa bar.
The rest seemed like any other later 73.

Mihai


hello mike
my teener is one of those first 1000 you mentioned and it came with the vinyl around the windshield.I have not seen any others like this.
I am ready to re-certify the old girl and be back on the road this week.I will try to send pics and we can compare.
andrew in the Soo

I have it now, and has a euro P/C 2.0 motor runnin good and have Sold it , the new owner will update post I am sure.

I've not long joined 914world.com and mine is 4732900045 so looks like mine was in that batch. Nice to know.

The car has been converted to 5 lug with a 911 front end. She's still in her original colour and is now in the UK. Where she's been since 2000.

Click to view attachment

I have some info on 1043 that says it has the frame vinyl. I have a COA on the car, but it makes no mention of it. I believe it is also a 2.0 engine.

Can I get you guys to send me the chassis #, paint code, etc for each of these cars. I notice that a lot of them currently in my list are from week 30, then a bunch more are from weeks 35 & 36. Looks to me like weeks 31 to 34 were a shutdown in the bodyshop. However, that means the bodies were part 72 and part 73. The 73 part was the changes for the gearshift to go with the side-shift tranny. The 72 part was the early type doors with worm gear lifter.

Huh?

73's with early hubs (and brakes?) has me baffled. Still don't have a definative on the early/late/mid-term rotor situation. Rich had a "bunch" he was going to measure...

My friend has a early 73 2.0l with the early doors with early rollers. Don't think it has early front hubs thou...

I'll check the vin.

I have the car right before 1000 and it has the early doors, but that is about it. It is mostly original and was origianlly purchased in eastern PA. Let me know if you want some pics or need any other info.

Eric, Mike, Kenny & All:

Very interesting info.! I think the change over to all 1973 MY parts trickled on for a time after the first 1000.

Mine's not in the first 1000, but still has a mix of early & late parts. I've emailed with Eric this year about rebuilding my calipers, of which the fronts are "late" with the 2 bleeders, but the rears are "early" with just 1 bleeder each.

I don't know what other pre-73 carry-over parts it has, but I'll update with any after I have the door panels, etc. off for the resto. later. I'm the 2nd owner (unless the seller fibbed), & have had it since 12/26/75, used as my daily driver then up to 5/85 when I stored it in my SoCal garage due to accident damage, family, business, etc. - up to now 6/09!

I'd rebuilt the engine & transaxle in late 83 (25-27k on them now when stored), had done some body resto & an ill-advised non-official repaint to a Metallic Anthracite Grey paint in 1980, over my prior repaint to the L98K Metallic Copper in 1976, & the PO or dealer had repainted her to a Tan or Metallic Gold at some point before I got `er.

It was the 424th factory 2.0L built (NOT a conversion), with engine #GA000424 matching the COA's VIN 4732901954, built in Sept. 1972, & first sold on 11/9/72 "somewhere" in CA - according to my DMV Reg. Cards since 1975. It was OE the L80E/1110 "Light Ivory" (white) paint, with the Beige (Tan) 31/501-502 Leatherette/Basketweave interior.

As with ALL 1973 MY 914-2.0s - it had come from the factory fully decked-out with the Appearance & Performance Group options - including the then "new" 4-Lug Fuchs 2L Alloys. However, when I got it in 12/75 - it had been stripped of the fog lights & switch (front wires cut & hole in dash from switch), center console & 3 gauges (found former screw-mounts & wiring harness plugs), & the 5 Fuchs Alloys - the latter having been replaced with 4 Rivieras & a steel spare, probably by the greedy dealer to resell!!!!

Up to about Jan/Feb 1973, Porsche|Audi referred to the 2Ls as the "914S", when Porsche AG in Germany made them change it to 914-2.0. A 1/73 Motor Trend test calls it "914S", while a 2/73 R&T test refers to the forced change & calls it "914/2"; and both a 12/72 Porsche|Audi magazine ad & their early sales brochures from late-1972 both call it "914S" (see latter 2 below).

12/72 914S AD

Click to view attachment


EARLY 1973 914S IN PORSCHE|AUDI USA SALES BROCHURE (my 914's interior color is the beige/tan one in the middle page, but carpet is tan/brown flecked loop pile/velour App. Grp. upgrade from pic below) - see specs page 4 in next post...

Click to view attachment
Click to view attachment
Click to view attachment

EARLY 1973 MY COMPARATIVE SPECS PAGE FOR 914 (1.7l) vs. 914s (914 2.0L) MODELS - FROM PORSCHE|AUDI SALES BROCHURE POSTED ABOVE

Click to view attachment

Mike & Kenny -

Here's another super clean Orange "not quite first 1000" 1973 MY factory 2L at #1102 - that I saw on the web & sold recently, which has the vinyl on the A-pillars (you may already know of this one).

It's VIN 4732901102 & 2.0L engine #GA000336 - & also built in 9/72 (like mine). So it's 852 cars before mine overall in production & 88 2Ls before mine - & that's about 10% of the intervening production as "914S"/914-2.0 models in that early part of the run, with 90% being 1.7Ls.

The seller seems nice & helpful, so he may be willing to forward an email to the buyer/current owner?

CONTACT INFO AT SAMBA AD & LOTSA PIX AT PICASAWEB BELOW:

file:///C:/Users/Tom%20T/Documents/Auto/914/-%20914s%204sale/-%20914%20Comps%204sale/73%20914-2L%20$14000%20obo%20org-blk%20102k%20mi%20gd%20cond%20Portland%20OR%20-%20Samba-com%232-25-09.htm

http://picasaweb.google.com/uplife66/914FromCoereDalane#

Hi,
I have Bruce's old car. number 0525.
Here are some pictures when I purchased the car.

hey thanks all for the input. i've got to get back on this and put the info. together soon.

mike

A old friend of mine just purchased this early 73 produced in 09/72 and delivered with the vinyl on the windshield frame. VIN # 4732901102.

I did not know that there was a diffence in 1973's. The one I got has the windshield vinyl, not sure about the doors, have not taken off the door panels yet, also not sure about the diffence in the brakes, how can you tell? I have had the car for just a little bit and am working to get it back on the road. It is a early 73 and was bought in California.

I'm parting out 4732900504 and it did have the early doors and vinyl on the front windshield pillars.

There you go Mike - that's the same one which I referenced above & I think the seller said it sold this Spring 2009 at $13,000!

Crawl under & look at the front-facing side of the F & R calipers to see whether they have 1 or 2 Bleeder valves. From what Eric at PMB told me, that differentiates the "early" (1 bleeder) vs. "late" (2 bleeder) calipers.

FYI - Here is a pic of my early-1973 914S/914-2.0 car's Late Front Caliper with 2 Bleeders:

Click to view attachment


>>> see next post for my Early Rear (caliper that is! ) >>>

Here's the Early Rear Caliper from my early-1973 914S/914-2.0:

Click to view attachment

Hope this helps!

I think the car was purchased from a guy up in Washington state. I know it was somewhere in the Northwest.

<I think the car was purchased from a guy up in Washington state. I know it was somewhere in the Northwest.>

SMG -- It was in Portland OR - see the links at my prior post above.

The original Sambe link is NLA, but the one below for the 911 is the same seller:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/sea...username=uplife

Oh yes, it was Oregon. I knew it was somewhere in the NW. The new owner lives in Anaheim Hills, CA. An old friend from my New Jersey days back in the 70's.

I checked my calipers and I have the late, 2 bleader screw front calipers and the early, 1 bleader screw calipers. Thanks for the help, now need to order rebuild kits as this car has not been on the road since 1986.

siir andy collects the v.i.n. info. on running and parted cars

Yep. I think its in the db already. Thanks!

What model, VIN, Engine # & build date was yours again? ...that may help to bracket caliper change-over for others here.

Unless you REALLY want to rebuild yourself , I found that for almost the cost of parts alone, I could get PMB - Eric Shea to do a 1st class rebuild & restoration to new or better - incl. new cad plating of calipers for about the price of parts alone (or a bit more if you add new/reman pistons) - let alone labor!

Rears are more costly due to the combo parking brake assy. After the core chg. credit - it's only about $450 + S&H for all 4 early/late as on our 914s, which would be hard to beat without someone doing a lot of the work which PMB does for free!?

I also got feedback from others here, that the Cardone et al rebuilt calipers will rust-up outside within a year, since they do not replate them, after $70-100 per side!

I'm sending back the off-brand rebuilt fronts, OEM ATE rear kits & parts/supplies etc. back to PP & just having Eric/PMB restore mine.

PMB/Eric comes highly recommended by the CWs & garage-junkies here, & advertise on this site.
http://www.pmbperformance.com/page/page/4741552.htm

Hope this helps!

PS - mine has been in my SoCal garage since 5/85, so I know hat you're up against!

The vin is 4732900357, its a 1.7 do not know where to find the build date. The brakes i will check the condition, if I can just replace the seals I will The master cylinder I was going to go with the 19mm one. Thanks for the heads up on who has them. All of the rubber is deteriorated on the car so a lot of work ahead.

Thanx, Bus Guy! btw - we also have an 88 Westy!

The build date is on the VIN sticker in the rear driver's door jamb, below the VIN.

You can also pay $115.95 to Porsche Cars of No. Amer. for a Certificate of Authenticity (COA) which MIGHT list it, but they're notoriously inaccurate & incomplete!

Performance Products has a 20% off weekly special this week to Sat., so go to the website here to see what you need, then call & ask for Ron Cianci to place your order - so you get the proper parts (tell him I referred you re: 914s - nothing in it for me, but he's their 914 parts expert). PP's website:
http://www.automotion.com/?RMID=Deal_0614&..._-0614-_-Banner

Going with the OEM 19mm MC by ATE is a good idea (even the CW concours guys say to do that!), & my factory 914 trained mechanic Hans of Hans Imports & his guys all recco using the OE/OEM/OES parts for that purpose, except that Eric/PMP reccos Porterfield disk pads (pricey but supposedly worth it). Hans & co. recco. OEM rubber brake lines for street use, the SS ones are maybe better for racing/AX.

If those calipers have been sitting that long (almost as long as mine 24 yrs.) - then they're going to need more han just seals! Both Eric/PMB & Hans & co. say that the pistons are probably frozen, & will need to be power pressed out of the caliper cyls.! So you're best to completely rebuild them all, per both of them! ...otherwise you may have one of those moments while driving it!

Then if you're doing all that, you might as well get new rotors while they're still available, & PP's 15% off when I got my 4 was the best price around, so this week's 20% sale will beat that! And of course - in addition to all of those rubber parts & lines etc. (brake & fuel), the wheel bearings. susp. bushings & seals, & the CV, clutch & shifter seals should probably be replaced too! ...on & on it goes!

If you're keeping the stock EFI, then you may want to replace all of the sensors, injectors, regulators, breaker box/breakers, ECU harness, fuel pump & relay, etc., etc. - in new where possible & reman. by Bosch or OEM/OES where new is NLA - unless you want to chase down EFI gremlins forever! These too will have deteriorated & corroded over the 20+ yrs. stored - even in Daly due to the salty air! ...I/Hans were always dealing with that in the `70's - even as a daily driver - while living 3 blocks from the beach in Hunt. Bch.!

btw - You can find the proper new Bosch injectors out there at the non-Porsche parts houses at 50-60% of the $250-300 list price (e.g.: my 2Ls are available at $183 each) & PP, Pelican, etc. may match prices if they carry them at all, if you prefer to get them there.

Just shop around for the parts for the best prices, & many are swap-able between the 914s & VW 411/412s - but verify first, cuz some differ (like the ECU for the EFI system, which Pelican can get rebuilds for yours - for which their rebuilders are up in your Bay Area & you may know them & could go direct maybe?).

Good Luck!

oh &

The drivers door has been replaced, with a later model as it has the door bar. The right door looks orginal and has no door bar. The car was damaged down the left side at some point, door replaced, left rear qtr panel replaced. Its has been interesting the things you can find out about a car, the origanal owner, smoked, and probable worked in the contsruction industry as the nails I found under the seats, also the $2 dollars in change always helps.

...or maybe he just frequented Home Depot alot!

Go here for the "twin" of this topic, for pix I posted of the Orange one Steve is referring to above:
http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?sho...67816&st=20

BTW Mike & Kenny - apparently the VINs were produced out of order, so the first cars were more correctly represented as 8/72 or 9/72 build dates on the door jamb VIN sticker, &/or by the Chassis no. on the Karmann plate in the front of L door jamb. This Signal Orange 914-2.0 is an earlier VIN than mine & built in 9/72, whereas mine was stickered as an 8/72 build date. More on that topic is here:

http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showtopic=103085
http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showtopic=103136

When I strip mine for body work & repainting, I'll check if it has early or late doors, A-pillar vinyl (evidence before repaints maybe under the trim/gaskets?), etc.

Cheers!
Tom
////////

I dont remember the VIN of my 73 that I wrecked two years ago, but it was out of CA, and had an oil bath 1.7 originally. If you check the VIN registry it is in there as totaled. I have plenty of info on it since I saw its guts

Any other new early 73 914 additions to this?

Because of my 73 2L being built just 8 days after the Orange one with A-pillar vinyl in the posts above - and mine having an 8/72 VIN date vs. the Orange at 9/72 - I'll be checking the A-pillar & windscreen frame of mine for any remnants of the vinyl there prior to all its repaints, to see if we can push these early 73 MY "quirks" up closer to the 2000 VINs mark.

Mine is VIN47329001954, and has some of the oddities noted above, and was built per Chassis Nos. about a week after the Orange VIN...1102 above, but it has a 9/72 date at it's VIN sticker, while mine is 8/72 with a 8/31/72 Chassis No. - ONE day & maybe "The World's Fastest 914 Built"!!??


Click to view attachment

vs.

Click to view attachment
Click to view attachment

.

BTW - to decode the Chassis No. for Build Date (of stamping, they took a week or so on the line IIRC), do the following:

Get Calendar for Year in the Date on Your VIN sticker (MY crosses 2 calendar years), you can Google for it.

See Karmann Plate @ LF/Driver Door Jamb or stamping on rear floor of rear trunk for Chassis No. - then .....
Chassis No.: XXZ95YY
XX = Week of Year (start week #1 even if only one day) in Year of VIN Sticker date
Z = Day of Work Week M-F = 1-5
95 = Karmann Plant ~ 96 means 100's for YY below on early Karmann Plates
YY = is the number 914 built on that date

For example - mine translates to 36th week for Thursday 8/31/72 & 45th 914 built that day; while John's Orange 2L is 35th week for Wednesday 8/23/72 & 58th 914 built that day - very close together at 8 days, but his VIN indicates a Sept. 72 & mine an Aug. 72 - just the reverse dating sequence.