Door hinge cover: numbers and letter

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Maurizio Santini
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Door hinge cover: numbers and letter

#1 Post by Maurizio Santini »

Dears,

I'm having a doubt on the original reasons why Porsche do stamped the last 3 VIN numbers and on top a letter in the back of the aluminum door hinge cover, I'm so questiong you experts about the followings:

- are both stamped with letter R (recht) and L (linke), according to the correct side? If so, why I have here 2 door hinge cover both with L? They comes from 2 diffrent cars, but this should not affects about the letter;

- are the 3 numbers the last 3 VIN numbers, as for all the other parts (doors, hoods, sunroof)?

On the above, is someone aware of differences between Karmann and Reutter, if any?

Many thanks and best regards.
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Mike Wilson
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Re: Door hinge cover: numbers and letter

#2 Post by Mike Wilson »

Hi, Mau:

Lots of people have read your question but no replues. Let me offer my opinion. I don't thing the "L" means "Left". The hinge covers will only fit one way, that is, a right can't fit on the left side and visa versa. No way to mix them up.

And yes, the 3 numbers are the last 3 of the chassis number. On my deck lid and hood latches, only the last 2 are stamped.

Ciao!

Mike
Mike Wilson
Lomita, CA
'63 B coupe

Maurizio Santini
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Re: Door hinge cover: numbers and letter

#3 Post by Maurizio Santini »

Dear Mike, many thanks for your kindly answer.

It seems I hit a unsolved mystery here?
Really I can't figure out the meaning of that L on both side. I assume all (late) cars have.

I'll update my post on the restoration during the holidays time, some progress are done. Same of you, Registry members, are very helpfoul and becomes as such also friends.
Last edited by Maurizio Santini on Thu Jul 19, 2018 1:01 am, edited 1 time in total.

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James Davies
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Re: Door hinge cover: numbers and letter

#4 Post by James Davies »

And as hinted, the earliest Reutter cars have no letter(s) - only a stamping of the last 2 digits of the chassis number. My '53 coupe below.
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Mike Wilson
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Re: Door hinge cover: numbers and letter

#5 Post by Mike Wilson »

Thanks for that info, James. Any idea when Porsche went to stamping 3 numbers?

Mike
Mike Wilson
Lomita, CA
'63 B coupe

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James Davies
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Re: Door hinge cover: numbers and letter

#6 Post by James Davies »

Good question! On other removable parts, they started using 3 digits around the start of 356A T1 production in 1955-56. But some cars around this period will have 2 digits stamped on the front lid and 3 digits stamped on the rear lid, for example, so it seems it varied a lot. Not sure about door hinge covers. Maybe others know?

Are there any letters that are not "L" on these later ones door hinge covers? Could it be Limousine vs Cabriolet?

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James Davies
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Re: Door hinge cover: numbers and letter

#7 Post by James Davies »

Looks like "K" was also used. Discussion here.
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Maurizio Santini
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Re: Door hinge cover: numbers and letter

#8 Post by Maurizio Santini »

Thanks James for the very interesting inputs.

It could be the code of the interior color combination as reported in the kardex and in this catalog?

K exist, but L? Maybe exits only in B model? I have not much model catalogs for check. You fell free to comment, mine is just an idea.
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Re: Door hinge cover: numbers and letter

#9 Post by Mike Wilson »

I know Adam and thers have quite a colection of hinge covers. Maybe they can check for the numbers and letters and what the chassis number is to dial in dates?

Mike
Mike Wilson
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'63 B coupe

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Re: Door hinge cover: numbers and letter

#10 Post by Mike Wilson »

I just checked the original hinge covers on a car being restored. Both had the last 3 digits of the chassis number and both had "L" stamped on them.

Mike
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'63 B coupe

Maurizio Santini
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Re: Door hinge cover: numbers and letter

#11 Post by Maurizio Santini »

As far as we know, 2 letters exists (maybe others are aware of more combinations?).
"L" the much common, and "K".
This is my Reutter certificate, in which beside the color code is listed the "K". But sadly I have not the original hinge covers for then deducts some relations.

Maybe are related to the interiors: "K" for Kunstleder and "L" for Leder...
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James Davies
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Re: Door hinge cover: numbers and letter

#12 Post by James Davies »

Definitely not related to leather or leatherette.

On your Reutter certificate, the "K" stands for kunstharzlack, i.e. synthetic enamel. Previously Reutter used nitrolack up through 1955 on coupes and cabs, which would be indicated on the Reutter certificate with an "N".

Maurizio Santini
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Re: Door hinge cover: numbers and letter

#13 Post by Maurizio Santini »

Thank you James for this clarification, very appreciated.

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