Were there any 1972 911's without the external oil flap?

[gt3racerich]

I just looked at a supposed 72 911 that did not have the external oil flap. Does anyone know if there are any?
Thanks, Rich

[catuck]

Perhaps a '73 with a '72 build date? Or an early '72? I'm just guessing though.

[db_cooper]

If you mean the external oil door on the right hand side, 1972 was the model year for that. Did any 1972 cars come without it..Porsche would make changes as they saw fit, without waiting for a new model year. (good example the fuel injection on the 73T..MI to CIS mid year) so it is possible.

Check the VIN number on the chassis in the boot up front.(see if it matches the VIN under the windshield glass) That will tell you what year model the chassis is. The fourth digit should be 2.

Starting in 1970 the total number of digits increased to ten and had different codes.
An example would be 9110300317.
911 – (911)
0 – (1970)
3 – (911S)
0 – Porsche coupe
0317 – Sequential Number.

VIN de-coding

[gt3racerich]

The VIN shows the car as a 72 but I have never heard of a 72 without the external oil fill.
Were there any differences in the VIN stamp in the front trunk by the smugglers box in the years 1970-1973, the shape of the stars or?
Thanks, Rich

[techweenie]

Some owners got rid of the external oil filler to make their cars look "newer." Seems silly to us now, but it happened. Especially if the car was hit or the quarter panel replaced for any reason.

[gt3racerich]

It did not seem to me that it was changed unless the 1/4 panel was replaced and it did not look like it was. It also has real RS flairs that were done a long time ago. Before clones were in fashon.
Rich

[db_cooper]

I don't think there any unique stars or marks between model years. There should be a silver VIN plate beside the front latch. It should match the VIN stamped in the chassis behind the fuel tank under the hood and the windshield VIN.

I recall those 1972 external oil door cars were not very popular. The stories about fuel being pumped in the oil tank scared many buyers. It depressed the value of 72 911s.

I would think someone would be very desperate or foolish to bogus a Porsche 911 as a 72 with an early or late chassis. Why not just sell the car as a 71 or 73?

Somewhere there is a Porsche parts listing which would indicate the up to and from VIN numbers for the external oil door cars.

Maybe our host has the Porsche parts link or knows?

If the fender(s) are changed, then they may have deleted the oil door. There may still be the cable tube in there for the latch.

The car would have been more valuable without the oil door.

[techweenie]

Well, if the RS flares weren't welded on, the quarter panel was replaced. .

If you look inside the fender well where the oil tank would be on a '72, there should be indications that a tank was there -- if that panel was not also replaced.

You might also consider that the VIN may have been swapped (it happens) Our cars sometimes have very "interesting" histories.

[gt3racerich]

The number on the silver plate matches the number stamped by the fuel tank. The stamped number is rusted and hard to tell if it is correct. (the number is correct but it is hard to tell if the stamping is correct and original)
The flairs were welded on, and it was done very well. I do not see any indication that the door or tank was ever there.
Rich

[210bhp]

The very first 72model, an 911 T bought in the USA by Nick Moss here in the UK, and restored by him did not have the external oil filler door. It was built in march 71 and was constructed from a previous years shell by the factory. The original colour was fraise and had other 71 features. It had been repainted.
Early 911S Registry

Regards
Mike

[gt3racerich]

Thanks Mike
Would you (or anyone) happen to know what VIN would indicate an early 72 car?
Also would you have a link to information on that car. The 71 features it had, etc.
Thanks, Rich

Edit: I see that the vin for the fraise car is 0011.
The car in question above is much later than that. (anyone know how many were made for 72?)
Any chance it was a very late 72 using a 73 body?

[Porchcar guy]

Wouldn't there also be evidence of the oil door pull at the rear of the passenger door opening ? Even if it was a weld over the recess, there should be some sign if it ever had it. This would be in the same place on the body that the drivers side has the engine cover release.

[javadog]

Originally Posted by Porchcar guy

Wouldn't there also be evidence of the oil door pull at the rear of the passenger door opening ?

That same stamping was used in later years, so "they all look alike" in that area.

Without the VIN of the car in question to play with, all I can add is that some countries titled a car as whatever year it was first registered in. SO, a '72 could be titled as a '71, '72 or '73.

JR

[fryardds]

Rich,

Hard to help if you don't list the VIN. You are asking about how many were made for the '72 model year but we have no idea what model you have. Photos of the VIN stamping would help too.

Another number to look at would be the seven digit production number under the lower left dash pad. A '72 coupe would be 102XXXX.

[gt3racerich]

Brian
I had someone get upset with me when I was asking for some help related to a car he was selling. I am not looking to get anyone upset so I do not want to show the complete VIN without permission. I would think this would do: 911 210 27XX.
I only have cell phone photos of the stamping and you can't tell anything from them.
Rich

[ossiblue]

Several years ago, when I was shopping for an early car, there was a 72 advertised on this site than did not have the oil door. The owner posted the VIN (it was a 72 VIN) and photos of the car--I believe it was light blue. The owner stated it was an early 72 model year that did not come with the side tank. All this was five or more years ago and I assumed the seller was being honest. That being said, I assumed from then on that there were a few 72's without the side tank.

The partial VIN you posted is for a 72 T coupe, produced somewhere after 2700 other 72's. The source I use indicates there were only 2931 total 72's built that began with 911210... That means the VIN you posted was only 231 cars from the end production, which would make me think it should have the oil door.

[javadog]

I agree with the above assessment. I own a '72T with a chassis number in the mid 2300's and it was built in May of '72. I'd surmise that the one you are looking at was built in late June or early July. Very odd that it wouldn'thave had an external oil filler door.

JR

[ossiblue]

Probably the only way to get an idea of what's going on is to find a 72 with a VIN in the 91121028xx range or later and see if it has the oil door. It seems to me if there were over 200 late model 72's without oil doors (because the factory began using the 73 body panels), that more would have surfaced by now. If you find cars with VINs later than the one in question with the oil door, it's a good bet the one in question was modified.

[gt3racerich]

I agree. If it was 5 or even 10 from the 1973 models it would be one thing but at 200 or more I would have to think that is something that would be known.

If anyone could post a clear photo of a good VIN stamp by the gas tank I would appreciate it.
Thanks to everyone for your replys.
Rich

[wayner]

I believe that in 1972, along with the oil tank location, they modified the rear frame rail to add a recess to allow the oil lines to go forward and tuck in tighter behind the tire. I don;t think 71s had this frame modification, but it was kept on 73s even though they moved the tank back again.

Maybe that info will help narrow down what chassis you are dealing with (71 vs 72-23)

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploads21/oil+lines31346430627.jpg