Settled - Side Valences are affixed with plastic button head rivets, 'Rocker panel' rivets Options

[JeffBowlsby]

We know of two docmented original 914s, both have side valances attached with plastic buttonhead rivets, not aluminum rivets.

Black rivets for cars with black valances
Clear rivets for the 1974 LE cars with the yellow or orange valances

PET also only lists the plastic button head rivets.

All the photos of 914s with aluminum rivets are not original, are commonly available and have been replaced at some point.

Thanks to George Hussey, Steve Gaglione (2nd owner of very orignal Sahara Beige) and Alberto Favilla (original owner) and to Rich Daunhauer (914Werke) for their knowledge.

[wonkipop]

i hate to throw another worm in the can of doubt when it comes to 74s and rivets.


but.

from low miles orig condition 74 1.8 held by dr. 914 in his collection.
fab photo documentation from your website @JeffBowlsby (your photos mr. b?).

alum rivets looks to me?
could be a trick of the light. dr 914 could confirm?




i concede this one could have had its rocker panels off too.
(they all could?).
which means it ain't so original a yardstick as its said to be.

i'm going to say its just not certain yet on 74s.

i reckon they are black plastic rivets on 75s for sure.
so many i have collected for data on L jets have the black rivets thats got to be the case.
but these alum rivets keep showing up on 74s.
even steve g's extraordinary 74 2.0 had them until he "restored" the sill rivets.
dunno.