QUOTE(Jeff Bowlsby @ May 2 2009, 10:43 AM)
With VIN 21331 and the other two cars on the registry with VINs higher than 16764, these cars have the paint code, but not the M-778 equipment according to PCNA records. The puzzling thing about VIN 21331 is that it is one of the best documented 914s anywhere, and the window sticker indicates it has the correct equipment for an LE. So the PCNA records and the actual car are in conflict. PCNA tells us that there are actually many late VIN cars that have the paint code, but not the M-778, up to and including the very last 1974 model year car built, VIN 21379. Pretty interesting huh...
Thanks for that, and I've visited the LE site many times; Kudos!
And yes, your above quote
is interesting and I wonder if, after the official 'Limited' run of LEs was finished, did the factory squeeze out a few more to fulfill orders by pulling and modifying fully optioned cars off the line and simply adding the paint to the bumpers and rockers, put a spoiler on and stick a stripe kit in the trunk?
If so, does this not water down the true Limited nature of these cars? Let's face it, it's not the mechanical options on the LEs that make them unique; the '73 2.0 I drove in the 80's and the one I own now have all the same options -
technically they have a few more: chrome bumpers, vinyl and chrome sails. So it's really the cosmetic options that differ these from a factory, fully optioned 2.0 liter. If that is in fact what happened, what makes this car different from a dealership (or even a buyer) taking a Light Ivory '74 and doing the same thing?
Oh, I did know about the stripe application being done at the dealer by the way; all discussions need a devil's advocate sometimes
And again, I do not dispute this car was bought new this way; my queries are based on my simplified acceptance of what constitutes a factory 'Limited Edition' 914. What I have learned from your site: the basics - two tone paint, spoiler, painted Mahles, no chrome, no sail vinyl on an otherwise fully optioned 2.0 liter. By definition if the factory themselves were to alter that, is the 'Limited' aspect not diminished? Opinions?