My two. I'm pretty sure they are both original, although noticeably different. Flatter number one is in my '74 914, raised number in my '71 911T.
My two. I'm pretty sure they are both original, although noticeably different. Flatter number one is in my '74 914, raised number in my '71 911T.
Mike de Jong | '71 911T/E 2.4 Tangerine | '74 911S 3.2 Ice Green
You have a point.
Yet again I use the term automotive archeology. I suppose it similar to forensics. Sadly, I have done quite a bit of study on 901 gear knobs. All I can say is it has kept me out of the pub.
There appears to be quite a noticeable difference in the face of the dial under high magnification (I use my slit-lamp at work). The black face, the outer ring and the numbers all have distinguishing features on an original face. Repros are quite different.
I have destroyed a few knobs to be absolutely sure of the construction of an original. I'm pretty sure I could tell if you had an original or repro but I would need to see it.
There, I've come out of the closet. I have a knob fetish. I feel better now.
(but I think it is marginally better than Indian curry paste ageing of plastic screws :-) )
Regards
Mike
RS#1551(sold)
67S
73E (home after 25 years) and sold again
Early S reg. #681
As you say Mike, it's just interesting detective work. Not too much we do in our hobbies is going to change the world.
JohnA
”Lighting Resources for Hardcore Air-Cooled Porsche Enthusiasts”
——-
John Audette - Porsche Lighting Anorak
AC Shop: BEST-IN-CLASS Air Cooled 911 Lighting Parts => 911BestInClass.com
AC Site: The Air Cooled 911 Light Resource => AudetteCollection.com
Instagram: Please Follow => AC Shop Instagram
Absolutely agree. It's the detective work that's interesting for me even when the end result is something fairly insignificant. I then file away the results in my head with all of the other "useful" trivia.
I am still loving the idea of examining the knob anterior chamber with a slit-lamp. I think I once had a knob with Bechet's, it remained undiagnosed and ended up at the old Pomona swap meet.
Kent
Last edited by kentf14; 01-12-2013 at 09:18 PM.
E911SR & RGRUPPE
'65 911 "The Ol' Gal" (long gone)
'73 S Coupe #306
Yep the 5 is the way to tell in my opinion it has a vertical line in early made originals and repros certainly have a slant on the same line as can be seen in the pics.
As Carl said original were bakerlite which browns later Porsche Classic and repros don't seem to brown although they may not be old enough yet!!!
I did break one at one stage and its not plastic in my opinion but don't know if its modern bakerlite
Last edited by BOYER73S; 01-13-2013 at 02:23 AM.
Clyde Boyer
1973 2.4E Coupe RHD Aussie 5 speed
1973 2.4E Coupe RHD Aussie 5 speed my first ever 911 (1995)
Early S Registry Member #294
First Aussie R Gruppe Member #366
TYP 901 Register Inc #6
I was amazed at the colours of the fragments of Bakelite under 50x magnification in an original knob. This is obviously from the fabrics and resins used to make the material. It is quite different from a repro knob material which has a more uniform coloured appearance at that magnification. The position in the 'lens', height and surface quality of the silvered numbers, shift pattern and outer ring are also quite different in an original.
Regards
Mike
RS#1551(sold)
67S
73E (home after 25 years) and sold again
Early S reg. #681
A point of clarification -l Bakelite is a form of plastic (it was the first thermosetting plastic produced).
One of the characteristics of Bakelite is the very distinctive smell when it gets hot - this may be a good way to tell an original from a modern repro ...
Andy
Early 911S Reg #753
R Gruppe #105
Burn baby burn!
ahahahahahah!
guys... i finished my chips&cola...
please wait a second.....
ok....
i'm here again...
please go on...
Registry Member #1414
NOSGRUPPE
I see OEM on Pelican but I do not see NOS? http://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/...pg4.htm#item23
Mike Fitton # 2071
2018 911S Carrera White
2012 991 Platinum Silver ( Gone)
1971 911T Targa Bahia Red (Gone to France)
1995 911 Carrera Polar Silver (Gone)
No Affiliation with City of Chicago!