Help with early 73 T question

[jwerion]

I have an early titled and vin # checked 73 T MFI built in late 1972 with S trim.
My question is did all 73 911's have the rubber bumperettes or did the early 1973 T MFI cars delivered before January 73 have the standard metal bumberettes?
I have heard that many new owners of 73's had the dealership swap out the ugly rubber units for the earlier metal ones.

My car had black metal units and I don't know if this is original or not.

Thanks for your help.

[MoparBoy72]

Euro 73's Had matte black bumperettes; I am sure that many were changed.

[jwerion]

Based on the vin this is a US car, I am hoping that someone on this board has the answer as I have found that this question causes significant debate on other forums.

[72 S Trga]

Yes. The early 1973 USA cars had the satin black "metal" bumper guards.

In fact, late 1972 cars had them as well. My 1972 911 #0836 had the black metal bumper guards front and rear. I forget the build date of the car, however I believe it was 100 or so from the end.

[MoparBoy72]

Alittle search...

The black rear bumperettes are more than likely black anodized metal versions.
This was an option, believe it or not!

BTW,, Black metal bumperette's were available in 72-73 and for early 73 model year USA , pre January...

Regards,, Robert..

http://www.early911sregistry.org/for...ght=bumperette

http://www.early911sregistry.org/for...ck+bumperettes

[mikeg]

I was taking the bumpers and trim off of my '73T (#0095, Jul '72 build date) last week. I looked in Section 8 of the factory service manuals just to be sure I knew where all of the attachment points were located. On page 0.1-2/1, dated XXV,1973, the body changes effective with the 1973 models are listed. It describes doors, seats, body shell, and exterior. Under exterior, it
states: Black front horn grill. Front bumpers in Type 911E and 911S vehicles equipped with spoiler. Reinforced front and rear bumpers. Front and rear bumper horns of energy absorbing material effective with Sep-1-72 production. The bottom right edge of the page has (USA only) printed on it.

[72 S Trga]

Here's a picture of the "black metal" bumper guards that came on my 1972 car.

I have also seen them on early 1973 models. The black didn't seem to be a plating or paint layer. It seemed like a thin plastic covering that was thermo-formed over the metal.

I used to think that there was a correlation between black metal guards and MFI on the early 1973 911T’s. I thought that the soft, spongy bumper guards came only on the later 73 T’s with CIS. But, it wasn’t always the case.

Of course the 911E's and 911S's only had MFI and they had both styles of bumper guards.

[Eminence Gris]

My opinion is that the bumper guards shown were not on the car as delivered. The black guards were on cars with black horn grilles and black-trimmed lenses.

It wasn't unusual for people to "update" their cars in the '70s.

[72 S Trga]

My opinion is that the bumper guards shown were not on the car as delivered. The black guards were on cars with black horn grilles and black-trimmed lenses.

It wasn't unusual for people to "update" their cars in the '70s.

If you are talking about my car, I can assure you that they were delivered with the car when it was new.

Being a 35 year plus member of the PCA, I remember when the 1973 cars were delivered new. The topic of the whys and where-fors of these bumper guards were discussed, even then.

And yes, I agree that updating was popular then, as it is now.

Cheers!!

[Eminence Gris]

Well, if we're talking about time in the saddle, I co-founded a Region of PCA before the '72s came to the US. I never saw a new '72 with black bumperettes. Doesn't mean it didn't happen. One of the things we love about Porsche is their inconsistency. And that's a reason I usually use the word 'my opinion' when it comes to Porsche details.