What is this part and why do some 911s have it?
 

Looking at photos of 3.2 carreras - what is the circled bumper part and why do some cars have it and others have a reflective sidemarker?

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1418277211.jpg


http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1418277225.jpg

the upper one is European spec while the one in the bottom is American

In original European (or RoW) models it is black rubber. US models have that extra indicator light instead. US models also feature those ugly tube-like headlights, huge wide bumprettes in the back, and less power :)

+1

Are those European rubber pieces available for installation on US cars and/or do we need to convert the lighting?

When impact bumper cars were first implemented, US legislation required side marker lights, European law didn't. That explains the difference. Later, European legislation changed and that's when the side marker lights on the fenders appeared on Euro cars.

Our host sells them. They've gone up in price since I bought a set a couple years ago, naturally.

Left
Pelican Parts - Product Information: 911-505-307-00-OEM

Right
Pelican Parts - Product Information: 911-505-308-00-OEM

Just unbolt the corner lights, pull your wires for the side marker lights out of their sockets and tape the wire terminals to prevent shorts. If you go to sell, or want to return to original, you just unwrap the terminals, plug them back in, bolt the lights back in and you're good to go.

I did mine a year ago. As Will Hung indicated, I got mine here at PP. I did this while I was installing the Ruf replica valance and it was easier to replace. You will have to tape off or zip tie the loose wire of the side marker after deleting it. I plan to tap that wire to the city light bulbs inside the H4s as well.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1418312862.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1418313101.jpg

Found mine at the Parts Haven swap meet about 5 years ago. Early AM score as nobody at the time knew what they were or what car they went on.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1418320179.jpg

No, the things you refer to as "side markers" in the fenders are indicator repeaters, so people (e.g.) alongside you in traffic can see you signalling. They weren't lit when the lights are on.

The UK required indicator repeaters for vehicles "first used" after 1st April '86. When I MOT'd the '77', I had to explain why it didn't have that and also didn't have at least one rear fog light fitted to the center or offside of the vehicle (1980) or rear sear belts (1987).

Euro market cars of this era don't have any side markers, that's a US thang; the front lamp isn't there (it has the 3W "city" or "parking" lights in the Euro H4's instead), and the side part of the rear cluster lens would have no bulb fitted (and the lens would be orange in that location, rather than red).

+1 - Ouch - lot's less power and those other ugly things.

Another bummer is the US is the only reason your owners manual is written in Finnish rather than German.

As the others have said its ROW V US. You´ll also notice in the pics you posted that the ROW car actually has a side indicator above the wheel arch which negates the need for one on the side of the bumper.

Here's a shot showing the fender repeaters on my ROW car and the marker light rubber filler pieces. The other shot shows the bumper turn signals and fender repeaters illuminated. The lights are only ever lit up when the signals are flashing ON. My hazards were mid-flash when this photo was taken. The city lights are also turned on, showing dim illumination in the headlights.


http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1418426360.jpg


http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1418426383.jpg

I like the little air scoops that take the place of the second indicator. I suspect they are only made for the oil cooler side.