1973 model year question for the experts

[curtisaa]

Here is mine 2.4S built 09/1973 ... the back looks kind of anodized. The white paint should have been laid when it was not in place.

Attachment 235840
Attachment 235841

Are you sure about the build date on your car. I believed they were building 1974 MY cars in Sept 1973 ??

[edmayo]

Interesting discussion, I swear I've seen them both ways, but never really gave it much thought, however for point of discussion refer to the trunk photo of "Porsche Factory Tour" one page back from last week's posts.

[Cornpanzer]

It appears that Harvey's trunk was painted with the lid open too. Notice the shading on the left side just forward of the smugglers box.

Here is Steve Hanson's original 73 T. It was clearly "painted" with the lid in place nd by painted I mean the waved the gun near the open hood before throwing carpeting in it.

To be scientific about it, we can look at Cabots car, Harveys car, the black car I posted and Hansons car and see a trend that the lid was in place when the trunk was painted. It also appears that the lids were black prior to painting.

Dave, your green lid must be thrown out of the equation because we dont know for a certainty if it is indeed untouched and original.

[Dmill]

Ed:
Some observations:
1. It seems most MY '72 cars had a smugglers box that was painted body color..but this wasn't gospel
2. It seems MY '73 cars had smugglers boxes painted all sorts of ways..but when the door was painted black the black paint was painted over a base coat of body color

I agree that as Dave C. said..."They were getting kinda sloppy by then".....what I still question is....If they were so sloppy, why did they paint the door black over the body color....if they didn't care....why go to the trouble to paint it black

[Cornpanzer]

what I still question is....If they were so sloppy, why did they paint the door black over the body color....if they didn't care....why go to the trouble to paint it black

Because they didnt. The tub was coated in a black sealer and the trunk with the already installed smugglers box cover was then lightly painted with body color.

I think some colors (maybe all?) were also coated with a light primer after the black sealer coat before color went on. I will have to do some checking with some people that would know tomorrow

[WHCJr72S]

Here are 2 pictures of the smugglers box door on my January 1972 S. This area has never been repainted. The top surface seems to still be in primer or the first coat of paint. The car is gold metallic but the top of the box is more gray or light silver.

[Longballa]

just to throw a wrench in this whole thing I've stripped down 3 original paint 911's. One is a 71T painted Light Ivory and the lid is body color. 2 very early 72's both silver and one lid was black and the other body color. Go figure.

[edmayo]

Notice there is never any over spray body color inside the smuggler box, it is always black. The only way that could happen is if the lid (or something) was covering up the hole. Also notice the lids are always black on the underside , same as the inside of the box. There is never any paint on the lid seal. The underside of the lid can't be painted black AFTER installation or there would be black overspray on the surrounding trunk floor area. So does this mean all lids were black painted underside before installation, then attached to the car before the color went on, hence some color over black, then the gasket installed on the final assembly. EXCEPT for when Hans didn't get the lid attached (he was on beer break) before paint so we end up with an occasional all black lid?????? If they only knew the trouble they were causing us

[Biancaneve]

Are you sure about the build date on your car. I believed they were building 1974 MY cars in Sept 1973 ??

You're right indeed, that's time of delivery (15.09.1973) sorry for the confusion.

M

[HughH]

You're right indeed, that's time of delivery (15.09.1973) sorry for the confusion.

M

yours must be a very late build S. My car, a 73E, was delivered in Australia on September 10 1973, It was in the last 60 E's made; #1306 out of 1366 made.
what is your chassis number?. I am also interested in a production number - can u PM me if you dont want it public. Mine is #8915 (103 8915) out of the 9447 coupes of all types made in the 1973 model year.
i cant help on the topic of the thread as mine has been repainted.