Question on fog light mouting

[tdskip]

Hi guys - so I pulled the fog lights the PO put on the car and as expected they weren't actually connected to power in anyway. The wires we duct taped to the rear of from the front valance. Nice, eh?

When I removed the fog light mounts I was a but surprised to see what looks like factory openings there. Is this normal? Does it suggest my car actually came with fog lights from the factory, or is it more likely the PO swapped out the front valance?

Removed - hard to imagine but she was FAR worse before, even though she an't pretty now.




Opening where they were mounted;




Lights

[tdskip]

Hi guys - did some more poking around last night and it appears there are factory valances both with / without fog light openings.

Is going back to a non-fog light opening as simply as swapping out the valance? Short of a build sheet is there an easy way to tell what she would of come with?

[javadog]

You can swap out the valance or just weld the holes closed and repaint what you have. Fog lights were optional. They became pretty common in the later years, almost so much that nearly every car had them. In 1974, they were a little less common. I'd say if you have a fog light switch, the fog light relay and the factory harnesses for the fog lights, your car probably had them from new. Only way to know for sure is to get a COA from Porsche.

JR

[tdskip]

Thanks JR

I haven't been able to look at how the valance attaches - is it a bolt on or welded piece?

[javadog]

It bolts on. Two in the front wall of the trunk, one on each side to a bracket under the fenders. Also, look at the small metal piece aft of the bumper bellows.

JR

[tdskip]

Ah, thanks JR. So if I was being detail oriented I could order a COA and in theory figure out how she was build and then leave or swap our accordingly?

[javadog]

Yes, you could. Or, you can look at it like I do. Fog lights are worthless, more or less. I never use them, as they don't do much of anything worthwhile. They make the road immediately in front of the car a little brighter in fog and rain but they don't actually allow me to see any farther down the road. Plus, they are heavy and not all that attractive. So, I prefer to not have them. My current thinking is that I want my cars to be fun to drive and reflect what I might have ordered, back in the day. I put zero value on how Porsche built them, or what the next guy after me might want.

JR

[tdskip]

Fair enough JR.

Anyone have ideas on to close up the holes sort of welding? Any blanking pieces available?

[nineball]

i went the other way so to speak. i changed my 83SC valance with the "oh crap we forgot the fog lights! quick stick some on!" mounting system to the later carrera with the recessed fogs. i prefer the look and i didn't lose any functionality of the car.

[javadog]

Originally Posted by tdskip

Fair enough JR.

Anyone have ideas on to close up the holes sort of welding? Any blanking pieces available?

Just take the valance to a body shop. Closing the holes won't take much time or money. The valance and bumper need to be painted anyway.

JR