Porsche® 914 & 914/6 models
all had a three gauge dash cluster containing a mechanical speedometer with a
100mm diameter case, a tachometer with a 115mm diameter
case, and either a fuel gauge or a fuel/temp combo gauge with a 100mm diameter case.
The actual gauges had multiple variations that are detailed on
individual gauge pages accessible via the buttons on the left. There was
an overall stylistic change prior to the Porsche 914 1974 model year,
wherein the individual gauge bezels went from a deep, two-piece steel
design to a shallow, single-piece, black-painted steel or brass ring
(which doesn't look quite as nice but solves the rust issue), and the
silver center "button" was eliminated. Additionally, the
black-painted, steel gauge holder was replaced with a black plastic
version prior to the 1975 model year (which also doesn't look quite as
nice but solves another rust issue).
Current
eBay listings for Porsche 914 gauge clusters (compare with items on this
page to determine year and ensure authenticity):
The VDO gauges used in the
1970-1972
Porsche 914 and the Porsche 914/6
are commonly referred to as
"silver button" or "silver center" gauges, because they have a
silver-colored cap covering the needle pivot. The 1970 to early 1971
model year car gauge clusters included a slightly different fuel gauge
than the later 1971-1972 groups as pictured at right (and detailed on
the FUEL GAUGES page). The majority of the early clusters
contained gauges with white print, but some had off-white print (like
the 1971 cluster pictured at top right). The speedometer and tachometers were
sealed units, with the mechanisms accessible only by prying off the
molded steel bezel ring. The fuel gauge mechanism can be
accessed by removal of tiny screws on the back. These early VDO Porsche
914 gauges had
glass lenses and deep, two-part bezel rings. Problems common to these
gauges are are needle fading, bezel ring rusting and lens fogging. The
silver center button also tends to fall off inside the gauge.
The VDO gauges used in the
1973
Porsche 914 models were also "silver button or "silver
button" gauges. The 1973 model year heralded the introduction of
the 2.0L engine, and with it a 150 MPH speedometer. Additionally, the
fuel level / oil temperature combination gauge was introduced on 2.0L
vehicles ordered without the optional "Appearance Group." For
cars with the "Appearance Group," and slightly modified fuel
gauge was used. Unfortunately, plastic lenses replaced glass somewhere
in the middle of the 1973 model year production, presumably as a
cost-cutting measure. As with the
earlier gauges. The speedometer and tachometers were
sealed units, with the mechanisms accessible only by prying off the
molded steel bezel ring. The fuel and combo gauge mechanisms can be
accessed by removal of tiny screws on the back. Needle fading, bezel ring rusting and lens
fogging/scratching remained problems (with the lens issues increasing
for units with the plastic variety). The silver center button also tends
to fall off inside the gauge.
The VDO gauges used in the
1974-1976
Porsche 914 are commonly referred to as "black center" gauges,
because they have do not have the silver-colored cap covering the needle
pivot found in the earlier style. These gauges had shallow, painted
steel (1974 to early 1975) or brass (later 1975 to 1976) bezel rings
and plastic lenses. As with the earlier style, the speedometer and
tachometers were sealed units, with the mechanisms accessible only by
prying off the molded steel bezel ring. The fuel and combo gauge
mechanism can be accessed by removal of tiny screws on the back.
Problems common to these gauges are are needle fading, lens scratching and lens fogging.
