1966 912 Washer Fluid Bag?

[Miniwerks]

I recently purchased a restored 66 912 Coupe and the last detail to finish the car is finding an original washer fluid bag. I understand there are no reproductions so finding an original in good condition may take some time. Has anyone found resources here or abroad that may be good to watch on a regular basis? I have not even found a good photo of what I am searching for. Sierra Madre Collection sells one for a 356 but nothing for the 912. Mine was built Oct/1965.

[Miniwerks]

The more I look into this the more I understand how rare these are. Apparently very few originals survived. Hopefully one of the vintage parts suppliers will make reproductions at some point.

[Jaems]

The bag was use only up to July of 1965.

It was changed to a white hard plastic box reservoir for the 1966 model year. On page 41 in the "911 & 912 Porsche Restorer's Guide to Authenticity" shows a picture of this reservoir. It was under the front lip of the trunk in front of the battery. It was not convenient to fill until the next version in 68.

[Miniwerks]

Interesting as mine does have the hole for the bag in the fender but production date was October 1965 according to the COA but as we all know, the COAs are not always accurate. The mystery continues...

[Jaems]

The COA is correct from when the car leaves the factory. The fender could have been from parts left over from the short run of 65 model year of 912s, the new stamping were not finished yet, or the fender didn't get to the line until later. The 65 model 912's ended at the end of June of 1965. The 1966 model year started in August of 65. Parts, like fenders, hood, and etc., are run in batches and only if the new model year has a change will the next model year have that change. Otherwise the parts are carried over into the next model year.

Also the washer pump will be down by the battery for the 66 model year. For the 65 model year it should be up by the right/passenger fender with wiring for it.

You COA should also give a US delivery. Unless it was a later imported as a used car. 1965 model year cars were only sold in Germany. Do to the 356C was still being sold until the end of the Jun model year. The 65 912 production was started in April of 65 at the end of the 356C production. However, the factory still had 356C's to be sold.

[Miniwerks]

Thank you Jaems, I was not aware of this, fascinating insight! Appreciate it.

[peter leinberge]

Our car is an early '66 model # 452174 factory delivered in (I was told) Sept. 1965 The '65-'66 washer pumps were in the cowl area on the passenger side, behind the opening where the bag is mounted, held in place by 2 zip ties. If you look carefully you'll see the mounting bracket up under the cowl. All bets are off if the car has been clipped or rusted/repaired in that area.

[JT912]

My October 14,'65 #452698 has the washer bag by the hood hinge.

[Jaems]

Like the 356 series cars when the factory made a change. They waited until they ran out of the old parts. Since this change was only a minor change. The factory did it during the 66 model year. When, you would have to see which is the earliest vin# with this change. The same was done during the 68 model year with door handles and rear grills.


The parts sent to the Dealerships in the 66 model year would of been of the newer changed fenders. Since this was of a completely new design car. Though the US delivery 911's started in 65. The dealerships probably had some of their body parts. The early 911's were known for being tail happy. There were a lot of those cars with rear end damage.

The change was probably do to potential leaks/failure of the washer pump/lines in the wiring under the cowling or not. Or more cost effective to stamp the fenders without the hole for the washer bag. That was why the 66-67 hard plastic tanks were hard to fill. They were just stuck under the front lip of the trunk.

Well we know that John's 14 October build still had the washer bag. It would be interesting to see when the change started coming off the line and which coach builder did it first, Karmann or Porsche. This is the first time this about the 912 washer bags has come up.

[Miniwerks]

That would be very interesting to learn when the changeover happen. My vin is 452795 build date 10/27/65. Trying to track down a non-usable bag, have contacted European Collectibles and will try Beverly Hills Car Club. Given the volume of cars they turn over, they may have something that could work as a donor for reproduction.

[pattehoo]

Hi,

This is such an interesting thread! My car is from October -65, too and originally delivered to Italy. The vin is 452742 and as you can guess, it has the washer bag by the hood hinge. Unfortunately the system has been changed to a later version.

[Miniwerks]

I got lucky and found one at EASY. I asked Jim if he had a non-usable bag so I could send to Sierra Madre Collection. He replied "no, but would a good one work?". Never occurred to me he might have a good one! Could not believe my luck. Here it is, just arrived, will do some careful cleanup. Still on the hunt for a non-usable bag to use as the donor for the reproductions.

[haul]

peter and me will meet in one week at straehle swap and also have a meeting with a nice guy who is already quite far on the road for reproducing the washer bag complete with inner tube and else what is needed to make us happy...
we will sure report on 91bbs
with best regards