Special early 1964 features on 1965 cars

[NeunElf]

There's also this October 1964 German language brochure W221.

Google translates "SERIENMÄSSIGE AUSSTATTUNG" as "Standard Equipment."


Note that this very early brochure also shows rubber floor mats in a 911 and the "901" emblem on the glove box is "touched up." Those look like 356 light and ignition switches, too.

[Brett Johnson]

Look closely at the wood grain on the photo above -- where they airbrushed out the 901 script on the glovebox, I suspect. There are also no speaker holes in the dash top. All non-radio cars this way? If so, until when? There does appear to be a dash top like this illustrated and listed in the parts manual, but the description doesn't elaborate.

[Brett Johnson]

Front bumper guards were optional in 1965-1966 according to the parts manual. True or false?

[NeunElf]

Front bumper guards were optional in 1965-1966 according to the parts manual. True or false?

If you mean the chrome-plated steel overrider ("Stoßfängerhorn" in my hardcopy parts catalog), I don't think so. But, you have far more experience reading parts catalogs than I.

If you mean the overrider with rubber buffer "Stoßfängerhorn mit Gummipuffer" then it was optional in '66 but not available in '65. According to the September 1965 Accessories Price List, they were planned for availability starting October of 1965 (1966 Model Year). I have no idea when they first shipped.

Bestel l-Nr.	Artikel
Order No.	Description
No. de comm.	Article		Sep 65 $
No d'ordine	Descrizione	DM	US $
9220	Stoßstangenhörner mit Gummipuffer, vorne (ab Oktober Planung 65)	14.25	$3.60
links	Bumper horns with rubber pads, front
901.505.031.21	Butoir de pare-chocs avec el6ments en caoutchouc, avant
rechts	(a' partir d'Octobre-Planing 65)
901.505.032.21	Rostri paraurti con tampone in gomma, anteriori

By the way, Koni shock absorbers and rear window wipers were also planned for an October 1965 introduction.

[Brett Johnson]

No, the 1965-1968 factory parts manual states the the chrome guard without rubber strip is optional through 1965-1968 and only becomes standard in 1969. I can't recall ever seeing an un-modified production car without them. But we all know, the parts manuals get some things wrong. The guard with rubber strip is listed as being introduced at the 1967 model year.

Parts manuals do not mention Koni shocks until 1967 model year -- 911S.

First rear wiper I have verified by Kardex is 12/29/65 -- but haven't got serious about searching. They are listed prior to 1967 -- the '67 and later ones mount lower and have a provision built into the lid -- also not mentioned in the parts manual.

All of these should be able to be determined on the Kardexes. Just sleuthed out a few of the 1965 912 dashboard mysteries on the 912 Registry Forum.

[moito]

Parts manuals do not mention Koni shocks until 1967 model year -- 911S.

https://www.early911sregistry.org/fo...701#post949701
https://www.early911sregistry.org/fo...701#post949701

[NeunElf]

No, the 1965-1968 factory parts manual states the the chrome guard without rubber strip is optional through 1965-1968 and only becomes standard in 1969. I can't recall ever seeing an un-modified production car without them. But we all know, the parts manuals get some things wrong. The guard with rubber strip is listed as being introduced at the 1967 model year.

I'm getting curious about the parts manuals. The bumper pages in mine are marked either VI 6/67 or VII 11/67.

The "Stoßfängerhorn mit Gummipuffer" have in the remarks column Sonderwunsch/optional for RoW cars while the description for USA cars has

Stoßfängerhorn mit Gummipuffer, vorn/hinten links/rechts USA. Serie u. Sonderwunch - Overrider with rubber buffer front/rear left/right, USA, serie and optional...

In my spare parts catalog, the overriders without rubber buffers do not have any indication that they're optional. Is it possible I'm reading different updates than you?

[Brett Johnson]

Actually, I am going from the information in my first book -- 1988 -- slept since then and don't have the same reference books. Trying to make sense of what it says and make sure the current version is right. The manuals I have now make me question it and that is why I am asking. I now have the ability to better research, I want to get it right. 1988 was a long time ago and all of the research was done with factory provided publications -- thought that was good at the time. It was the first book I published. I've learned a lot since then. My recent 356 (December 2019) and 914 (October 2020) books are examples.

What I do these days is try to verify changes not acknowledged with printed materials and actual cars. Harder to to do now than it was 30 years ago. The value of the cars has reduced the authentic unrestored reservoir of cars. If you want to help, I welcome your participation. There is a place to volunteer elsewhere in this Forum.

Sorry to use this space for not an exchange of actual information.

[Brett Johnson]

Thanks -- will report on information as it is determined. It really helps to have a starting point with actual Kardex or CoA with those three options listed prior to January 1966. The December 29, 1965 rear wiper is the only data point I have so far.

[Brett Johnson]

Here's my unedited text on bumper guards. Still need to verify information in all caps.

The first chrome-plated steel bumper guard version was standard on all 1965 and early 1966 911/912 models. These first guards had a plain upper rear surface and were replaced in April/May 1965 with guards that had slots at the top.

A second type guard which was chrome-plated with a rubber cover was introduced in SEPTEMBER? 1965, became standard on 911 and 912 models in the US; a similar version became optional elsewhere. A fourth variety was the guard for S-trim. These were all of the rubber-covered variety and differed only in the cut-out for the trim strip.

The steel guards with the slot at the top were replaced by ones with black plastic inserts at the upper rear in MONTHS GO HERE 1967 during the 1968 model year.