!973 2.0 questions - Paint and configuration, Need some information please Options

[Downerman]

If you are sure that all or some of that mix was on yours from the factory, then please do post an info topic over in the O&H Forum, so that others are aware of the extent of the mix of parts throughout 73 MY.

Nice and thorough Tom (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beer.gif) I'm not at all surprised the date on the COA doesn't match and wasn't terribly concerned since the dates are close; unless there is a reason I should be. On the transaxle, I have an email from Sara in my COA file that confirms the number was not recorded on the Kardex. I wanted that confirmed since "Not Confirmed" is not the same as "Does Not Match." At least nobody can claim my transaxle is not original. My COA has the color codes correct except they list the Porsche codes rather than VW codes. I thought that was interesting.

So... to the mismatched parts. The OO sold the car in 1976 to the PO that I bought the car from. The only thing I have from the OO is the warranty voucher and service record. Since the car was only 3 years old when it changed hands, I'm doubtful that many parts were swapped out before that time. I received from the PO, a stack of receipts that seems to be very thorough and include every battery, shock replacement, brake job, tune-up and even the replacement owner's manual and key she bought. So I have operated under the assumption that most, if not all replacement parts were recorded in those receipts. I can't rule out part swapping 100% but can reasonably assume low probability on most. That said, I've been jogging my memory and:

Sill plates - It seems unlikely these were ever swapped out. It's not something you expect to replace in the first three years. My VIN is just a few chassis beyond the switch over VIN listed by Johnson (I just looked, and that was in the 1st edition) but before the June date. I'm inclined the think that date may need to be backed up a bit but can't prove it for the above reasons.

Window Cranks - After thinking about this, there is a high chance these were swapped; and most likely by me. I had 3, 914s and a pile of extra cranks since those Volkswagen cranks were everywhere back in the day. This was 30+ years ago and I've gotten a lot stupider since then. If I swapped cranks, it would have been more likely I put the later crank in the 2 liter since I've never been a huge fan of chrome BUT, I know that I snapped more than one crank knob off and there is a good chance I did that with the original black cranks and just swapped in whatever was handy. So let's scratch that one off the list.

Brake calipers - This just got really weird. I was going on memory so just went down to look. I have ONE single bleeder rear caliper and the rest are dual bleeder. That seems really fishy. I don't remember ever swapping a caliper, but jeezus, it was 30 years ago and originality wasn't a concern to me then, being able to get to work was, so... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif) . Maybe my car got the last single bleeder at the factory, or maybe my memory just sucks. I for sure have the early style pressure regulator though and definitely never touched that.

I fear I've hijacked this thread too much already, but at what point would you say the 73 MY switches from early to late. I actually celebrate the fact that mine seems to be a bit of a mutt.

No worries here about hijacking. It's all good information as far as I'm concerned.

[Downerman]

BTW.... I had a member PM me the formula for his Light Ivory White that he painted a few years ago. The pics looked perfect and so I took the formula to my local paint shop. They mixed up a sample and it looked great. He (The owner) was also able to cross reference the original code (Something the counter guy could not do) and we compared the formula to the one they just had made. Thought it was worth making a sample. Now this newer sample was almost identical with one small change. Transparent Red and it was a very small amount. I swear sometimes things like comparing colors and listening to high-end audio is so subjective BUT I do think the later with the transparent red was richer looking. Then again, if we were to do 10 blind tests I wonder how many I would have got right. Anyway to make a long post even longer, I bought a gallon along with the PPG clear.

First things first, the dustless blaster get's here Friday. I'm done with the rust/metal work and will be spraying the DP50LF Epoxy Primer on Saturday morning. I will post some pics then and definitely when the base and clear are done.

Thans to everyone. Tom, your posts are very informative and appreciated. I'm sure I will have more questions as this progresses. Just configured a GIGANTIC order with Mark (914rubber) yesterday. This is going to be one fine 73 2.0.

[Tom_T]

If you are sure that all or some of that mix was on yours from the factory, then please do post an info topic over in the O&H Forum, so that others are aware of the extent of the mix of parts throughout 73 MY.

Nice and thorough Tom (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beer.gif) I'm not at all surprised the date on the COA doesn't match and wasn't terribly concerned since the dates are close; unless there is a reason I should be. On the transaxle, I have an email from Sara in my COA file that confirms the number was not recorded on the Kardex. I wanted that confirmed since "Not Confirmed" is not the same as "Does Not Match." At least nobody can claim my transaxle is not original. My COA has the color codes correct except they list the Porsche codes rather than VW codes. I thought that was interesting.

So... to the mismatched parts. The OO sold the car in 1976 to the PO that I bought the car from. The only thing I have from the OO is the warranty voucher and service record. Since the car was only 3 years old when it changed hands, I'm doubtful that many parts were swapped out before that time. I received from the PO, a stack of receipts that seems to be very thorough and include every battery, shock replacement, brake job, tune-up and even the replacement owner's manual and key she bought. So I have operated under the assumption that most, if not all replacement parts were recorded in those receipts. I can't rule out part swapping 100% but can reasonably assume low probability on most. That said, I've been jogging my memory and:

Sill plates - It seems unlikely these were ever swapped out. It's not something you expect to replace in the first three years. My VIN is just a few chassis beyond the switch over VIN listed by Johnson (I just looked, and that was in the 1st edition) but before the June date. I'm inclined the think that date may need to be backed up a bit but can't prove it for the above reasons.

Window Cranks - After thinking about this, there is a high chance these were swapped; and most likely by me. I had 3, 914s and a pile of extra cranks since those Volkswagen cranks were everywhere back in the day. This was 30+ years ago and I've gotten a lot stupider since then. If I swapped cranks, it would have been more likely I put the later crank in the 2 liter since I've never been a huge fan of chrome BUT, I know that I snapped more than one crank knob off and there is a good chance I did that with the original black cranks and just swapped in whatever was handy. So let's scratch that one off the list.

Brake calipers - This just got really weird. I was going on memory so just went down to look. I have ONE single bleeder rear caliper and the rest are dual bleeder. That seems really fishy. I don't remember ever swapping a caliper, but jeezus, it was 30 years ago and originality wasn't a concern to me then, being able to get to work was, so... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif) . Maybe my car got the last single bleeder at the factory, or maybe my memory just sucks. I for sure have the early style pressure regulator though and definitely never touched that.

I fear I've hijacked this thread too much already, but at what point would you say the 73 MY switches from early to late. I actually celebrate the fact that mine seems to be a bit of a mutt.

As I thought Brent, the OP Downerman would find this type of info helpful, even if beyond his original questions, as he says above.

I can't say offhand how many quick stops to the dealer that I made to grab a replacement window crank when the knob snapped in my decade of DDing my 914 75-85, but it was a few. I do have all of my records12/75>, but unfortunately for then young & stupid me in my 20's & too busy with other stuff - I never persisted to get the 1st 3 years of records 11/72-12/75 & the center console back after the sale back in 75-76 (the OO removed the console for his 2 kids to sit in it), but I do have binders with all of my receipts from day one. I was in no way as anal CW then, as I'm trying to be now in my resto of it back to as close to as original - including the quirks - at this late date.

Since you did get the OO's records, you might check to see if the caliper was replaced in his time, & they may or may not have listed the p/n on the receipt to check if it was early single or late double bleeder flavor. But it might give you an answer. It being just the one, I'd lean more towards a later change out for a repair or maintenance.

As with window cranks, calipers, etc. - my bet is that there was no hard date nor VIN nor Chassis No. on the switchover on any parts at all - including the Black Plastic. However, usually it was more a case of carryover use of prior MY parts into the new MY - rather than visa versa & using parts intended for the next MY at the end of the production year.

My educated guess is that 73 & 74 MY's were the most prolific production years for the 914s - both in excess of 24,000 per MY (note that the chart at 914 info on here goes by calendar year built - not MY) - so that maybe they exceeded the expected 73 MY production & ran out of the early parts quicker in the case of the sills, or made the changeover to the less costly black plastic midway in production if the OEM supplier had already switched over to new tooling for the plastic ones.

And/or it could've been a cost driven late MY change to try to keep the entry price on the 914s lower & close to the start of the MY, due to DM to $ inflation on the prices - when the then new 73 2.0 "914S" with App. & Perf. Groups of options went from $5299 West Coast, up to $7299, so they intro'd a "914 Sport" without much of the AG & PG options to still be able to advertise a 914-2.0 at $5299 later in the MY (see Dave K's Orange 73 2L on here).

The OO or PO could've also changed the sills to black if they preferred that look - aside from wear or breakage - since they were only something like $5-10 for the full set of black plastic back in the 70's the aluminum parts set were twice that), because a 914 buddy in the `70's wanted me to switch mine, but I preferred the aluminum & the chrome cranks & door handles look.

For Downerman or anyone doing their cars - there is probably enough squishiness on dates for 914s, that they can go with a look which they prefer, & still keep it more or less period correct - since there is no definitive answers on many things.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)
Tom
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[Tom_T]

BTW.... I had a member PM me the formula for his Light Ivory White that he painted a few years ago. The pics looked perfect and so I took the formula to my local paint shop. They mixed up a sample and it looked great. He (The owner) was also able to cross reference the original code (Something the counter guy could not do) and we compared the formula to the one they just had made. Thought it was worth making a sample. Now this newer sample was almost identical with one small change. Transparent Red and it was a very small amount. I swear sometimes things like comparing colors and listening to high-end audio is so subjective BUT I do think the later with the transparent red was richer looking. Then again, if we were to do 10 blind tests I wonder how many I would have got right. Anyway to make a long post even longer, I bought a gallon along with the PPG clear.

First things first, the dustless blaster get's here Friday. I'm done with the rust/metal work and will be spraying the DP50LF Epoxy Primer on Saturday morning. I will post some pics then and definitely when the base and clear are done.

Thans to everyone. Tom, your posts are very informative and appreciated. I'm sure I will have more questions as this progresses. Just configured a GIGANTIC order with Mark (914rubber) yesterday. This is going to be one fine 73 2.0.

If you have time later, go ahead & post the paint formula over in the O&H Forum for others, then I'll add the other paint mix cards as pix into it too.

Have you had them shoot a sample on some metal with the clear coat on top (in case there's any color variance after clear coating) to compare on your 914 yet?

We really should have a nailed thread on O&H for paints, codes & mixes single & 2 stage, etc. over there, where eventually everybody can find their correct colors - especially with the changes to water-based paints in CA & some other states coming too.

Hint - Hint for whomever the 914 Gods on here have appointed & anointed as the new O&H Forum Moderator, now that Pat Garvey has "retired" from that duty.
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/shades.gif)

Also, I think you said you were going to shoot the Wurth Schutz stone gaurd under the Epoxy, but I'm pretty sure that my paint & body guy who will be doing my resto soon (& he did the 83 one) will be doing the epoxy sealer/primer on bare metal first, then the guard Wurth Schutz under it. You wouldn't want the Schutz to chip the epoxy seal layer off at some point later on. So he'll be doing epoxy-schutz-L80E paint. I'm not sure if I'll do the black top undercoating layer though (I actually like the blacked-out wheelwells look, but most seem to prefer the factory paint look).

I look forward to seeing your results, since my L80E will be following on shortly this year (I really REALLY hope soon this year).

Good luck with the dustless blaster Friday, & work thereafter.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)
Tom
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[bbrock]

but I do have binders with all of my receipts from day one. I was in no way as anal CW then, as I'm trying to be now in my resto of it back to as close to as original - including the quirks - at this late date.

This sounds familiar! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) When I started my project, I joked that maybe it was my mid-life crisis that caused me to pull my old car out of the mud and give here some love. It wasn't, but boy is it an interesting journey with lots of nostalgia. I've gotten to know the person I was back then better and how much my priorities have changed. Fun stuff.

Since you did get the OO's records, you might check to see if the caliper was replaced in his time, & they may or may not have listed the p/n on the receipt to check if it was early single or late double bleeder flavor. But it might give you an answer. It being just the one, I'd lean more towards a later change out for a repair or maintenance.

I should clarify. All I have from the OO/First 3 years is the dealer stamps in the service record in the maroon folder. No receipts. The car's history is blank from the date it was purchased to the first service stamp after the PO purchased the car (at ~35,000 miles). After that, I have very detailed receipts which I have entered into a spreadsheet. I just looked through them again and... guess what? On 5/7/1982, at least one window crank was replace at Autothority, Inc. in Fairfax, VA. Would you look at that? No mention of a caliper in any receipts though. If a caliper was swapped, it was probably done in the first three years or a twenty something kid more preoccupied with college, work, and a new wife than preserving the originality of a car.

There is one other receipt that raises an eyebrow. A 4/18/1978 receipt from VW-Body Shop in Merriam, KS that has no details on what was done but describes themselves as a "Complete Body and Paint Shop." No doubt, that is when and where the car was resprayed and might have been a time to refresh sills. Still the VIN and plastic sills fit what Dr. Johnson wrote. I think there are mysteries this car will never reveal and I like that. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[Tom_T]

but I do have binders with all of my receipts from day one. I was in no way as anal CW then, as I'm trying to be now in my resto of it back to as close to as original - including the quirks - at this late date.

This sounds familiar! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) When I started my project, I joked that maybe it was my mid-life crisis that caused me to pull my old car out of the mud and give here some love. It wasn't, but boy is it an interesting journey with lots of nostalgia. I've gotten to know the person I was back then better and how much my priorities have changed. Fun stuff.

Since you did get the OO's records, you might check to see if the caliper was replaced in his time, & they may or may not have listed the p/n on the receipt to check if it was early single or late double bleeder flavor. But it might give you an answer. It being just the one, I'd lean more towards a later change out for a repair or maintenance.

I should clarify. All I have from the OO/First 3 years is the dealer stamps in the service record in the maroon folder. No receipts. The car's history is blank from the date it was purchased to the first service stamp after the PO purchased the car (at ~35,000 miles). After that, I have very detailed receipts which I have entered into a spreadsheet. I just looked through them again and... guess what? On 5/7/1982, at least one window crank was replace at Autothority, Inc. in Fairfax, VA. Would you look at that? No mention of a caliper in any receipts though. If a caliper was swapped, it was probably done in the first three years or a twenty something kid more preoccupied with college, work, and a new wife than preserving the originality of a car.

There is one other receipt that raises an eyebrow. A 4/18/1978 receipt from VW-Body Shop in Merriam, KS that has no details on what was done but describes themselves as a "Complete Body and Paint Shop." No doubt, that is when and where the car was resprayed and might have been a time to refresh sills. Still the VIN and plastic sills fit what Dr. Johnson wrote. I think there are mysteries this car will never reveal and I like that. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

Yes Brent, many shops weren't as thorough on listing all parts & work done. If there were one or more brake jobs done when they either turned or replaced the discs (IIRC you could get 2-3 disc turnings on them before replacing), then a caliper could've been swapped too if it wasn't running out true, & no details put on the invoice other than brakes done & with a bigger $ amount than for just replacing pads & truing the discs (even if no details).

Or even if they had more than one 914 &/or a 411 or 412 in at the same time, it's conceivable that the calipers could've gotten mixed up between them (same caliper as on 411/412), if the mechanic wasn't careful or didn't care.

After the 2nd rolling resto in 80-83, mine has languished in my garage from May 85 after she was whacked in a parking structure by a ditzy gal, so it's not far off from either yours or Downerman's resurrection.

So I hear you on the mid-life thing - or late life in my case - but more along the lines of both kids are grown & gone in 2010-11, & my wife keeps saying to git-er-dun before I'm too old & can't! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)
Tom
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