Color of Heater Knobs

[Bob DiCorpo]

We're all original 356 and 356A heater knobs made only in black, or did Porsche match Ivory, Tan and Grey heater knobs to the color of dash knobs? Thank you, Bob

[Jim Alton]

It's my understanding that all the heater control knobs were black.

I pulled out my hardcopy parts catalog (May 1957) and the only entry it has for that knob is:

34 -- 644.424.791.00 -- Drehkopf, schwarz | knob, black | Bouton noir

Brett Johnson's The 356 Porsche, A Restorer's Guide to Authenticity [1997 edition, page 115] says: "A black twist knob was used from the point the heater controls were moved floorward."

[Jim Alton]

Interestingly though, the very similar VW knobs are available in:

Black
HEATER CONTROL KNOB, black, 1955-1964 Bug, through 1967 Bus

Wolfsbürg West Part # 113711623ABK

113711623ABK.jpg (4.12 KiB) Viewed 451 times

Grey
HEATER CONTROL KNOB, Grey, 1955-1964 Bug, through 1967 Bus

Wolfsbürg West Part # 113711623AGY

113711623AGY.jpg (3.22 KiB) Viewed 451 times

Ivory
HEATER CONTROL KNOB, ivory, 1955-1964 Bug, through 1967 Bus

Wolfsbürg West Part # 113711623AIV

113711623AIV.jpg (5.01 KiB) Viewed 451 times

if you want to color-coordinate your interior it will only cost $ 4.50 (+ $ 1.00 for a new roll pin) to try but playing with that roll pin can't be much easier than the door handles.

[Craig Richter]

On some VW models there were circular arrows around a big H. Pretty cute. But all the VW knobs are plastic, and break much easier than Porsche knobs.

[Bob DiCorpo]

Thank you Jim for that information. I have seen a couple of 356's with the Ivory knobs used for the heater controld, but as you pointed out, they're most likely VW control knobs. I'll stick with the black heater control knob with my Ivory dash knobs. Thanks again, Bob