Mint/Near Mint OEM USA Lenses, What are they worth, really? Options

[Johny Blackstain]

LEs were USA only

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)

According to Bowlsbys' Bible (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) this is true:

LE- USA
SL- Japan
GT- Europe (not 914-6 GT, just 914 GT)

[Larmo63]

I have a really nice set of USA spec lenses that I would swap for Euro style. (rears only)

[tumamilhem]

LEs were USA only

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Correct. The LE Can Am tribute car was only available in the USA as it was a tribute to the Canadian American races that Porsche dominated (not Europe). There was a European special edition (very few), reminiscent of the LE , with difference appearances than the LE Can Am, most notably no PORSCHE script on the side since in Europe the 914 was marketed as a VW-Porsche, presence of vinyl sail trim and a few other differentiating cosmetics and safety features that differed between the US and European models (such as no bumperettes on Euro models), and of course the lenses - the VW-Porsche 914 GT Jubiläumsmodell. This car however, was not a Can Am tribute car, but to mark the 100,000 production of the 914 as a marketing effort to sell more 914s.

[tumamilhem]

I have a really nice set of USA spec lenses that I would swap for Euro style. (rears only)

I have a very nice set of Euro lenses on my LE. So I have one set of each. If I didn't have my uber nice USA lenses, I'd likely swap to have USA lenses for LE originality.

[tumamilhem]

But back to the value of these lenses... any hypothesis of their value?

[balljoint]

LEs were USA only

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)

Correct. The LE Can Am tribute car was only available in the USA as it was a tribute to the Canadian American races that Porsche dominated (not Europe). There was a European special edition (very few), reminiscent of the LE , with difference appearances than the LE Can Am, most notably no PORSCHE script on the side since in Europe the 914 was marketed as a VW-Porsche, presence of vinyl sail trim and a few other differentiating cosmetics and safety features that differed between the US and European models (such as no bumperettes on Euro models), and of course the lenses - the VW-Porsche 914 GT Jubiläumsmodell. This car however, was not a Can Am tribute car, but to mark the 100,000 production of the 914 as a marketing effort to sell more 914s.

Can Am

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[914Sixer]

The front turn signal lens are still available from Hella. I have seen the NOS rear lens ASKING price at around $300 each and NOS complete rear assemblies at $500. Last price on side markers were at $90. Since your parts are "used" expect offers at 50-75% of current asking price. Selling and buying are all relative to what you want to sell at and the buyer is willing to pay.

[SirAndy]

LEs were USA only

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)

Correct. The LE Can Am tribute car was only available in the USA as it was a tribute to the Canadian American races that Porsche dominated (not Europe). There was a European special edition (very few), reminiscent of the LE , with difference appearances than the LE Can Am, most notably no PORSCHE script on the side since in Europe the 914 was marketed as a VW-Porsche, presence of vinyl sail trim and a few other differentiating cosmetics and safety features that differed between the US and European models (such as no bumperettes on Euro models), and of course the lenses - the VW-Porsche 914 GT Jubiläumsmodell. This car however, was not a Can Am tribute car, but to mark the 100,000 production of the 914 as a marketing effort to sell more 914s.

The "Limited Edition" cars were sold in the US, Europe and Japan under different labels and slightly different visuals, but you can't tell me they weren't all part of the same "Limited Edition" idea, just marketed with region appropriate small differences.
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[JeffBowlsby]

A USA 914 LE with Euro lenses...?...gasp...how can you sleep at night?

Do the right thing... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

[dlkawashima]

$500 is chump change compared to the value of an all original LE car. If anything, sell the Euro lenses.

[bandjoey]

agree Keep 'em.

[tumamilhem]

A USA 914 LE with Euro lenses...?...gasp...how can you sleep at night?

Do the right thing... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

Haha I hear you, buddy. I can sleep because I have near mint USA lenses safely wrapped in bubble wrap. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[porbmw]

I'd keep them....guess is that price of these items will only go up.

Re the availability of the front Hella turn signal lenses. They ARE available. However, my impression is that the "old"/original ones may be a darker yellow than the ones currently available. If so, that makes your old OEM ones more valuable.

If my impression re darkness is incorrect, would appreciate hearing of if.

Paul

[nein14]

I have a near perfect pair of French rear Lenses what are they worth?

[eric9144]

I just checked the AA website & they sell their US repros & OEM Euro lenses for $200 a pair. Since OEM US lenses are now unobtanium, it would figure that they'd go for more. I keep my LE stock & even have extra set of wheels & a stock muffler on hand if I have to go full original, since I'm running fat tires & a Bursch exhaust.

http://www.autoatlanta.com/results.php

I know the tail lights alone have gone for more than $500.

One side, complete assembly is still available from PCNA "NOS" for right around $500, ask me how I know, I bought one in the last year or so. That is/was complete--the entire TS assembly with reflectors and lens (can't remember if it was Left or right).

I've picked up NOS rear's from Flea-Bay for <$200 each, at this point I think that's a fair price considering the fakes are $200/pr and don't meet the quality from what I've seen (the tint is all wrong IMO)

As far as front's and side markers--I've got 3 or so sets of each bc I saw the prices shooting up and I have CW and parts hoarding tendencies... I think I was paying on average about $30 each front lens and $25ish for side marker "complete" (assembly and lens, NOS)

If you don't "need the money" you might want to hold on to them as they're getting harder and harder to find, fakes are crap and you have an LE to keep pristine...

Prices are only going up as supply goes down.

[eric9144]

I have a near perfect pair of French rear Lenses what are they worth?

Now those...those are worth $$$$$$$ (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)