The Legend of the "914 S" & "914 SC", Myth or Fact? Options

[nsr-jamie]

I have this scanned ad I found somewhere, it says 3 models now have been releaased in Japanese near the end of the writing...the 914 1.7, the 914 2.0 and the 914 2.0S

Here is the scan (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/www.dreamgate.ne.jp-8305-1277616274.1.jpg)

The rest of the scans can be found here on my little site

http://www.dreamgate.ne.jp/914/ than click OLD ADS on the left hand side menu

[Tom_T]

Tom....unfortunately the previous owners did not keep those records and information. They did keep records of parts and work performed...they were gearheads. Probably like (me) most other people you just never thought that any of that stuff would have any use or value in the future.and even so keeping up with it for (40) years. I will say the 914-S the S fits into the rear panel in perfect alignment.AND the holes in the panel have factory paint....I wonder IF the 2.0 emblem and the S emblem have the same stud/mounting points, are the mounting studs EXACTLY the same. their are no extra holes in the rear panel.

The interior trunk paint is original AS IS the exterior panel paint. No holes have been filled. period., their are two mounting studs, on the ...S..(emblem).one above the other.

WOW! I'd love to see that! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/popcorn[1].gif)

The "2.0" on mine has studs midway L & R - L on the "2" & R on the "0" & mid-height - about like the 2 studs setup on the "914" badge to the left of the "2.0" badge.

I'm happy that I just scored a anodized metal "2.0" badge for my resto, so I can put it back to correct black anodized all around! .... no more plastic badges!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[Tom_T]

I believe the cars in Japan did not come with an "S" emblem, instead the same as European cars with the VW Porsche 2.0 emblem and than others with the North American 914 2.0 Emblem, the cars were originally imported from Mistuwa motors.

I have this old add I found, if you look carefully near the bottom and above the Porsche logo, you will see some prices in Japanese yen...on the left hand side below the 911 prices are VW/Porsche 914 2,200,000 YEN, in the middle 914 DX 2,350,000 Yen and on the right would be the 914/6 for 3,650,000 Yen (the numbers are hard to make out)

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/www.dreamgate.ne.jp-8305-1277615795.1.jpg)

So what would the DX be? I am guessing it would be the apperance package as this add is from the days when they were still selling the 6 model so that would mean the 2.0 model would not be out yet....maybe DX means Deluxe

I think you may be right on the DX Jaimie & Thanx for posting this ad & the next. I would've completely those prices on it with my old eyes! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)

I think if you look closely at George's new" 914-SL - it is badged as "914-VW-Porsche" & "2.0" below that in the Euro fashion, & I think I said that's how they were badged from what I read on Jeff's site & elsewhere about the 914-S & SL in Japan.

Here's a better shot of the badges at the back end of Georg's 914-SL, but black on black is still hard to see.



(IMG:style_emoticons/default/shades.gif)

[Tom_T]

I have this scanned ad I found somewhere, it says 3 models now have been releaased in Japanese near the end of the writing...the 914 1.7, the 914 2.0 and the 914 2.0S

Here is the scan (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/www.dreamgate.ne.jp-8305-1277616274.1.jpg)

The rest of the scans can be found here on my little site

http://www.dreamgate.ne.jp/914/ than click OLD ADS on the left hand side menu

I wonder what the difference is between the 914 2.0 & 914 2.0S ? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)

Could the 914 2.0S in this ad be a 2.0 with the Appearance & Performance (Comfort & Sport) Groups' options? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif)

... if so, then that would "track" with the fitment of the US/Canada "914 S" promotion having those groups normally extra cost options, included in the base price - as per the 73 My sales brochures & "The Super Porsche 914 S" ad which I'd posted above.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/popcorn[1].gif)

[JeffBowlsby]

How do I let you guys suck me into this...?

From the other Japanese brochure on my website, 73J2, on page 10...we may find the answer to what a Japanese 914S is. But its in code....we need a decoder ring for the last two bullet points (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[Tom_T]

Because you & Dave are the guru's of all things "LE"! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Which Model Year is this for Jeff? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)

Hey - I think the top right bullet in the upper full frame one is maybe a tire brand just before the 165HR15, but the rest is Creek - errrr - Japanese to me! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)

Interesting that the 914/1.7 & 914/2.0 appear to have less bullets, maybe less equipped - as in the 2.0's without the Appearance/Comfort & Performance/Sport Groups' options perhaps?

I think that the 3 top right bullets in the upper full frame one may go with the 914/2.0S (IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif)

PS - Thanx for digging this out & posting it Jeff!

[JeffBowlsby]

Which Model Year is this for Jeff? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)

Its for the 1973 model AFAIK.

[Tom_T]

Which Model Year is this for Jeff? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)

Its for the 1973 model AFAIK.

As Arte Johnson would say on Laugh In - "Veeerry interesting!" (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

So the Japan market appears to have marketed both a 2.0 & 2.0S "Special" with the "loaded options included" spec. under model no. 473614, with the basic "plain 2.0" being 473414 - if I'm reading your Model Nos. chart correctly.

Those would've been the other 73 MY "Worldwide" 914-2.0 model nos. as well.

Whereas, USA 914-2.0's marketed as the "fully loaded" model "914 S" would've been model nos. 473644 (49 states) or 473664 (CA only).

The chart to which I'm referring here all is at Jeff's 914 website, here:
http://bowlsby.net/914/Classic/ModelNumbers.htm

These model nos. only appeared on the Munroney Window Sticker & Dealer Invoice/BoS, Distributor docs. etc. - but never on the cars themselves otherwise AFAIK.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/popcorn[1].gif)

[Bleyseng]

914 2.0S Option List
Translation is
1. Cut pile carpeting
2. Leather Steering wheel
3. Leather Shift boot
4. Center Console
5. Fog Lamps
6. Alloy Wheels
7. Sway bars

A Japanese friend is visiting my in Suriname right now......

[JeffBowlsby]

Thanks Geoff. Anything meaningful in this text next to it?

[Tom_T]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) .... Yeah - Thanx G.! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

I emailed my brother-in-law to see if he could translate it, but haven't heard back, & don't know how fluent he was when he lived over there, let alone reading! Next step was to be a college classmate.

From what G's friend did translate above - it appears to be the Appearance/Comfort & Performance/Sport Groups' options packages, as with the USA "914 S" marketing program.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif) I still wonder if the top one in Jeff's red box above is Dunlop for: ...... 165HR15 ?? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)

... or maybe its Yokohama!? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

I think the bottom might say: "Tom, you're full of it!" (IMG:style_emoticons/default/shades.gif)

[Bleyseng]

Part two says:
1. Pressure cast wheels/ 165SR/hr15
2. Special Metallic Colors
3.Special Custom paint colors optional
4. Contact Dealers for more options

[ME733]

.............This post and subsiquent submittals to this post , which seem to still be comming in, has been great. The longer this topic continues, it seems more people finally find it and make important contributions..........The topic title, legend or myth of the 914-S & 914-SC , seems to me, to have been settled. There were 914-S cars produced., and their standard equipment was more lavish, complete and extensive than any other 914s, produced...Is it time that the 914-S evolves from myth ...into fact?...I think so.

[Tom_T]

Part two says:
1. Pressure cast wheels/ 165SR/hr15
2. Special Metallic Colors
3.Special Custom paint colors optional
4. Contact Dealers for more options

Thanx again to you & your friend Geoff! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Those sound like a few of the options then available on all models (1.7, 2.0 & 2.0S).

[Tom_T]

.............This post and subsiquent submittals to this post , which seem to still be comming in, has been great. The longer this topic continues, it seems more people finally find it and make important contributions..........The topic title, legend or myth of the 914-S & 914-SC , seems to me, to have been settled. There were 914-S cars produced., and their standard equipment was more lavish, complete and extensive than any other 914s, produced...Is it time that the 914-S evolves from myth ...into fact?...I think so.

Fact - that the early 73 MY 914-2.0 with all the options included as "standard" in the base price was definitely initially marketed by Porsche+Audi in the USA (& maybe Canada?) as the "914 S"! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

The "Myth or Fact" line was only meant as a "hook" to pull people in, which it initially did so for some of the wrong reasons perhaps, some expecting a debate here, rather than presenting documents for what was "fact."

Initially in my first post I immediately "put to bed" that the factory never had the 2.0's badged with either "S" nor "SC" (AFIK).
- although I still caught flak from some naysayers who felt I didn't spend enough time/posts/lines on to "No" side - which I felt was a moot point thereafter - I mean "officially Nope ~ no factory badges" is no period, done & over with, fin, etc. - so why go on with it .... & I put it there first up! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)

As far as I can document at this time to the satisfaction of O&H standards, I cannot show that any 73 MY 914-2.0 "914 S" in the USA/Can. came from the factory badged as a "914 S" - not withstanding that Murray's "914 S" had such a badge & perhaps others too.

By the same token it's pretty clear that there are plenty of factual documents out there that the "914 S" (USA/Can.), "914 SC" (GB) & "914-2.0S" (Japan) were indeed marketing names for the "fully loaded" version of the 914-2.0 model with the Appearance/Comfort & Performance/Sport Groups' sets of options included in the base price of the car (first half of 1973 MY for USA/Can & 73-76 for GB & Japan).

Also of interesting note is that the Japan market went on to refer to the 74 MY LEs as "914-2.0SL" - thereby extending their usage of the "S" into yet another model variation of the 914-2.0 model line-up - also see Jeff Bowlsby's 914 CanAm/LE website & here on those models:

http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?act...=2&t=107777
http://bowlsby.net/914/CanAm/

However, I need to report a bit of a "badging oddity" on my 73 914-2.0/"914 S" which I discovered, when asking Murray about his badge(s). (IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif)

On the backwall of the rear/trunk on mine, the 2 mounting pin holes for the "914" badge are flat on the back/inside face - as if they were stamped-out on the body jigs in the original mfgr'ing. process. Whereas the 2 holes to mount the "2.0" badge were definitely drilled or punched later on the assembled chassis, because they have the tell-tale protruding edges on the inside!

So now I'm wondering if that was either:

1 - Did they use a "72 MY run" body shell or rear wall panel for a 72 MY 914 (4) in my 73, & then add the 2 - holes for the 2.0 at the factory?? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)

- since mine was an 8/72 build date & 8/31/72 by chassis no., & my COA confirms it as a matching engine nos. 2.0! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/shades.gif)

2 - or as in #1, but the holes/badge added later by the distributor or dealer, etc. after shipped from Karmann - perhaps in their rush to get the "oddball first 1000 or so" 73 MY 94's over to the USA (as discussed on Orange914's 2 topics on the early 73's)?? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)

3 - or was an MY generic rear panel used to repair some body damage in it's 1st 3 years before I bought it in 12/75?? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)

> I tend to think not for this latter at scenario #3 ~ since the correct rear trunk chassis no. is intact on the trunk floor, & I saw no evidence that a replacement rear wall panel had been spliced in there. On the other hand, I've not stripped it to bare metal yet, & it was repainted gold when I got it & has either a tan tinted primer (as was often done to prevent a lighter color show through on a darker color over it) - or yet another Sahara Beige repaint under the Gold, & over the original L80E Light Ivory.

So who knows!? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/huh.gif)

Anyone else ever come across later added mounting holes on their 73 MY 1.7 or 2.0???? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)
- 70-72 didn't have a 1.7 badge - just "914", while the 6's had "914-6" in a single connected badge.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/popcorn[1].gif)

[JeffBowlsby]

Tom...

You've become so enraptured by all this minutia...I think its time you run away from that early MY 73 consider a real rarity...I predict you will have at least one LE in your stable in the future.

Your friend, Jeff

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/lol-2.gif)

[Tom_T]

Tom...

You've become so enraptured by all this minutia...I think its time you run away from that early MY 73 consider a real rarity...I predict you will have at least one LE in your stable in the future.

Your friend, Jeff

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/lol-2.gif)

They're just interesting factoids & oddities Jeff!

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif) ...... now maybe a classic OE -6 when I finish my 73, hmmmmmm ......... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/shades.gif)

My wife would probably kill me though! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/lol-2.gif)

She did like the idea of your lift, when she saw a pic of your LE's stacked in the garage, passing by on my 914 screensaver one time, & didn't flinch much when I said we'd have to raise the roof on our garage to do so! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/huh.gif)

So let's see - raise the roof, slab cuts for pads, double-wide 2 car lift ..... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/w00t.gif)

[JeffBowlsby]

The plot thickens...Gustl is to blame. Wolfgang sent me these two ads from a British magazine...from 1971. They are also now on my Classic site under Misc Ads.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[MDG]

I saw this in a picture thread in the garage of old shots from the 70's and 80's. It was taken at an auto show in Fort Worth in 1972. Thought you'd be interested . . .

[Tom_T]

As Jeff said - to further muddy the 914S waters! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/huh.gif)

Here's a pic of Steve G's 1st 914 - a 73 2L & yet check out this 914, PCA & CW Guru's license plate! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)

I mean - if Steve says it's a 914S, then it must be right!!?? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/shades.gif)

Hmmmm ..... maybe it's time to start a 914S/SC/SL Registry!!?? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/type.gif)
.... oh I just love to (IMG:style_emoticons/default/stirthepot.gif) a bit! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)



.

As an added oddity, I read somewhere recently (but don't recall where now), that the early 73 MY 914s were initially delivered with only a "914" badge from the factory, and then the "2.0" badge was added later (& "1.7" for the other model), but were otherwise initially undifferentiated badge-wise from the 1.7's.

That would explain why the rear wall on my early 73 (8/31/72 chassis no.) has flat holes for the "914" badge, but the holes for the "2.0" badge were obviously drilled later & show the "push-through"/protrusion cupping from a drill (see my post #155 above).

So now I'm wondering: (IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif)

1. - If anyone else with a early 914-2.0/914S also has evidence of later added/drilled badge mounting holes for the "2.0" badge? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)

2. - If perchance as an interim measure - did any dealers here in the USA perhaps add a "914S" badge to some of these early undifferentiated 914 2.0's?? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)

If so, post it up here - with pix if you have any! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Thanx for the above pix additions to the saga.

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