All
Porsche® 914 models were delivered with a VDO
mechanical speedometer. These gauges are black-faced with white print and a red-orange
needle, although some 1970-1972 120 MPH units had off-white print (no part
number differentiation). They contain a 5-digit odometer, a 4-digit trip odometer, and the
parking light indicator. Like the combination and fuel gauges, the speedometer case is
100mm in diameter. Speedometers
are
sealed units with the mechanisms accessible only by prying off the
molded bezel ring. Problems pervasive to all 914 speedometers
include odometer failure, needle fading, lens fogging and lens
scratching.
In
case you were wondering (doubtful!), the trip odometer reset cable
provided in the 1970-1973 model year Porsche 914 and 914/6 vehicles
differed from that which came with the 1974-1976 cars. The earlier
version was 320mm long and had a metal knob secured with a tiny (and I
mean small) set screw. The later type was 240mm long and had a
plastic knob that snapped over a plastic retainer. A comparison picture
is provided at top right.
Note that the MPH and part number information provided below relates to US
specification vehicles.
Current
eBay listings for Porsche 914 speedometers (compare with items on this page to
determine year and ensure authenticity):
The
1970-1972 Porsche 914 speedometer is a 120
MPH unit commonly referred to as a "silver button" or "silver center"
gauge, because it has a
silver-colored cap covering the needle pivot. These US specification
(MPH) gauges were assigned one of the following part numbers: 914
641 503 10 for 165 x 15 tires (example pictured with off-white print at
upper-right) or either 914 641 503 11 ('70-'71) or 914
641 505 11 ('72) for 155 x 15 tires (shown in lower-right pictures). They have
glass lenses and deep bezel rings. Some early 120
MPH units had off-white print with no part number differentiation (print
comparison shown in fifth picture). As with all "silver button" gauges, the two-piece,
painted steel bezel on these units is prone to rust. The 120 MPH units
are not quite as susceptible to odometer failure, because the internal
odometer drive gears and shaft are metal (shown in sixth picture). More
failure-prone plastic was used for these components in the 150 MPH
gauges (both "silver button" and "black center"
styles).
The
1973 and very early Porsche
914 speedo was a 150 MPH "silver button" gauge (allegedly to accommodate
the additional horsepower for the 2.0L despite the 115 MPH factory-rated top speed). The majority had plastic lenses instead of glass. This gauge is part number 914
641 505 20. As with all "silver button" gauges, the two-piece,
painted steel bezel on these units is prone to rust. Additionally, the
odometer drive gears and shaft were constructed of plastic, making them
more prone to failure (see the 120 MPH and 150 MPH internals comparison
picture at right).
Speedometers
used in the 1974-1976 Porsche 914 1.8 and 2.0L models
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, part number 914 641 505 30, are all 150 MPH
units. They have
shallow, black-painted steel or brass bezel rings and plastic lenses that are prone to scratching.
It
is possible that some of these later speedometers came from the factory
with glass lenses, but I have never seen one. These "black
center" 150 MPH speedometers also have plastic odometer drive
gears and shafts as shown at right.
P914
currently has 1974-1976 Porsche 914 150 MPH VDO speedometers available
in the SALES section.
The
Porsche 914/6 speedo is a 150
MPH unit nearly identical to the 1973 "914S" style, but all had a glass lens and
a different part number: 914
641 506 00.
I've
also included a picture of a 250 KPH European spec Porsche 914/6 speedometer,
part number 911 641 501 00, in case you were interested.
