door year differences

aways · 12:57 PM

The drivers side door of my '87 targa was moderately dented in a
minor collision and the PO decided to replace the door rather
than go the bondo route. The shop did a very nice job and
the door fits perfectly and the color matches exactly. There is
one problem however, I think the door must be from a different
year 911 because there is a subtle difference in the shape of
the inner front panel near the hinges. When I close the door, the
door panel doesn't depress the push button switch to turn
off the interior light. I will post pictures below to show the
subtile differences in interior door panel shape.
I am just wondering if someone can tell me when Porsche
made subtle changes in the door. Was it year-to-year, or
more likely from SC to Carrera? Would a SC door fit a Carrera?
How about a pre-1978? Any info would be appreciated.
LEFT DOOR (which model year?):

RIGHT DOOR (1987, note the straight raised panel that depresses the button. What model year(s)?):

aways · 08-19-2004, 12:22 AM

Hmmm, OK. Maybe someone with an SC or Carrera can tell me which picture (left or right) looks most like the inside front of their door?

Crachian · 08-19-2004, 01:23 AM

Alan,

If you're wanting to know the model year of the door that was placed on your car, I can't tell you exactly, but I can assure you that there were many subtle changes over the years.

When faced with having to replace the drivers side door on my Carrera, I had to find one from that year for this reason. I never could confirm what to look for (i.e., the differences), only that there were various wiring penetration configs and the only way to be sure is to take a door off of a car of the same year.

Bummer about your light. I can't really tell much from the pictures, but if it's only a small difference, have you tried gluing on a rubber grommet or rubber "tit" to contact the switch?

Series900 · 08-19-2004, 04:11 AM

unscrew the light switch, insert washer, reinstall.

Hald · 08-19-2004, 04:18 AM

According to my parts manual, the doors all have the same part number [L&R differ, of course] from '74-'89.

There are two interior light switch part numbers, however: '74-'79 & '80-'89.

I wonder by how much the door misses or doesn't hit the switch. Assuming the door is properly aligned, maybe the switch could be shimmed to reach the door.

chrisp · 08-19-2004, 04:56 AM

On my SC both doors look symmetric. They both look more like your right side door.

It's hard to believe that they would modify a door tool just to depress a button (that could be much more easily changed). There must be something that needs the clearance under there that required them to create the larger "bump out".

Maybe the part numbers are all the same becuase the newer door fits all previous models. Maybe power windows require more space and the power window door supercedes the old door.

-Chris

Series900 · 08-19-2004, 06:00 AM

Perfectly? they painted your door on the car, inside and out, note the painted hinge pin, nitpicker I am....

Bob's Flat-Six · Bob's Flat-Six's Garage

My 80 SC is like your original door too.
I don't like the pin being painted either. it's a dead give away that the door has been painted. It might keep lube from penetrating the little lube hole too.

Was this door a new repro door or a used door??

Also, You could take some putty and stick it by the switch and see how far off the door comes from hitting it once closed.
You might even be able to take the switch out and just lengthen it's stalk a bit once the rubber is removed.

aways · 08-19-2004, 09:20 AM

I don't like the pin being painted either. it's a dead give away that the door has been painted. It might keep lube from penetrating the little lube hole too.

Was this door a new repro door or a used door??

Also, You could take some putty and stick it by the switch and see how far off the door comes from hitting it once closed.
You might even be able to take the switch out and just lengthen it's stalk a bit once the rubber is removed.

I agree that the painted pin seemed weird to me. I may change
the pins at some point. As for whether the door is a repro or
not, I'm not sure. The previous owner had the work done , and
I'm not sure of the details. How would I tell? The door seems just
like the passenger side door with the one exception of the protrusion near the light button...

Thanks all for the suggestions about how to modify the light
switch. I'll try the putty, and if the gap is small, I'll either extend
the stalk or use a washer.