Some 1973-1976 Porsche® 914 models
have an
optional center console (part of the "Appearance Package")
containing three 60mm VDO gauges: a clock, an oil temperature gauge
and a voltage gauge. These center console Porsche 914 gauges are unique. Although many
other Porsche and VW vehicles offered similar consoles, the VDO gauges used in
these other cars are smaller, 52mm units with slightly different appearances
that will not fit the 914 center console without modification. The 60mm 914
console gauges are no longer produced by VDO or any other company.
As with the
dashboard gauges, the 1973 console gauges are slightly different than the
later gauges. The console gauge that changed most substantially between 1973
and later 914 model years is the clock, although the clock faces are nearly
identical. It is unusual to find a working Porsche 914 clock; they generally
require repair. Problems common to the 914 clocks are needle fading, bezel ring rusting and lens fogging.
Unlike the other console gauges which have glass lenses, the clocks have
plastic lenses (likely because they have a hole drilled in the center to
accommodate the time adjustment knob) which are prone to scratching.
Current
eBay listings for Porsche
914 combo gauges (compare with items on this page to determine year and ensure authenticity -
normally, there are no correct factory 914 clocks listed):
The 1973
Porsche 914 clock is a spring-driven unit that
uses intermittent electrical charges to rewind the spring. There is a
tiny adjustment screw on the rear of the unit to speed or slow the clock
as necessary. The driving mechanism is accessible via removal of three
5mm nuts and subsequently a white plastic cover from the rear. The clock
face, needles and inside of the lens are accessible only by prying off the
molded steel bezel ring. Failure of these VDO "Kienzle"
clocks, part number 914 641 119 10, generally results from the
triggering of a spring-loaded, soldered "fuse" connection that
can be easily repaired with a needle-type solder gun.
The VDO clocks used in the
1974-1976
Porsche 914 center console are
sealed units, with the mechanisms accessible only by prying off the
molded steel bezel ring. This later "Quarz-Zeit" clock is
more accurate but also more prone to failure. The driving mechanism is a
small motor as opposed to the spring-driven unit in the 1973 models. The
"Quarz-Zeit" clock, also designated part number 914 641 119
10, commonly suffers from motor failure or plastic gear/shaft breakage,
rendering the unit useless.
Porsche 914/6
production ended in 1972, so the optional
three gauge console (available in 1973) was never offered in this model.
