Part number??? 72/73 Front Latch Panel for AC Cars

[JP aka LiveFromNY Find all posts View Profile Close JP]

We're struggling to find a correct latch panel with the large blower hole for 72/73 AC cars. The only part # we can find is 901 501 031 22 and that corrosponds to the non-AC panel. Anyone have a correct part number? How about a part number for the large rubber grommet that fits the blower hole? Anything to advance my cause.

[flatsixer aka rstarga Find all posts View Profile Close flatsixer]

Damn JP I finally see something slip by you, gold cad on the locking mechanism of a 73? I know it looks nicer.
Why not just drill a hole to the required size, but it looks like that was done already. As for the grommet, did the diameter change on later cars? I think my 81 used the same size blower.

[JP aka LiveFromNY Find all posts View Profile Close JP]

Damn JP I finally see something slip by you, gold cad on the locking mechanism of a 73? I know it looks nicer.
Why not just drill a hole to the required size, but it looks like that was done already. As for the grommet, did the diameter change on later cars? I think my 81 used the same size blower.

You think for sure? I tend to think that all lower latches up to 1969 were silver with yellow hardware. But after that I'm not sure. My 48k-mile 72S has a yellow plated lower latch but you need to look close as everything open to the air has faded. Look underneath and it's bright yellow. There was also a 38k mile 72T I went and examined when it was listed on pcarmarket.com and it also had a very faded yellow lower latch. The car in my photo was previously restored prior to my restoration but I replated what I believe was the original latch which also showed signs of very aged yellow plating. All that said, I've also seen cars with the silver latches so I can't say for sure. I know over at the old hang there was a discussion once that ended with "maybe both". I'd love to know for sure.

As for the grommet, didn't the hole become square on the later cars?

[JP aka LiveFromNY Find all posts View Profile Close JP]

PS, that yellow car is just an example. Not the car I need the part for.

[flatsixer aka rstarga Find all posts View Profile Close flatsixer]

Maybe different suppliers? My late 73 has silver with yellow bolts since new, although I prefer the look of the yellow and recently replaced my strikers in yellow. I did keep the old ones even though the plastic is broken.
For reference, the 70S that Dave Conklin documented has everything silver.

[longballa 1972 3.2SS Find all posts View Profile Close longballa]

Front upper and lower latch and receiver on every car I've ever worked on including up to 73 are silver. I have seen the rear latches in 73 go yellow but not the front. I have seen the bolts on a 73 front lower latch yellow but the latch and receiver always silver. I like the silver as it matches the ID plate.

[rubyred 2.0L Find all posts View Profile Close rubyred]

My 1973 911T that I bought new at Carlsen Porsche has a gold lower latch in the front and a silver latch up top. Both upper and lower are gold on the rear. My two-owner, low-mile '69S has silver latches but gold bolts. I think all LWB cars had gold bolts regardless of the silver or gold plating of the latches.

[longballa]

Almost every 70-72 I've seen have never had yellow bolts. Hardware is silver just like the latch and receiver. Only the spring is yellow. What's the build date of the 73? I do think there was a transition to the yellow in front later in the 73 year.

[JP aka LiveFromNY Find all posts View Profile Close JP]

My two-owner, low-mile '69S has silver latches but gold bolts. I think all LWB cars had gold bolts regardless of the silver or gold plating of the latches.

I have three very original '69 cars and all three have silver latches with gold bolts. Same as my one-owner, original paint '68 912.

[JP aka LiveFromNY Find all posts View Profile Close JP]

I like the silver as it matches the ID plate.

I also prefer the silver latches with gold bolts. Looks like jewelry.

[JP aka LiveFromNY Find all posts View Profile Close JP]

Any comments from anyone on the latch panel with the round AC blower hole that I'm seeking?

[longballa 1972 3.2SS Find all posts View Profile Close longballa]

Did you call Restoration Design and ask Alex? They might make it.

[JP aka LiveFromNY Find all posts View Profile Close JP]

Did you call Restoration Design and ask Alex? They might make it.

Left them a VM today!

[JP aka LiveFromNY Find all posts View Profile Close JP]

My 1968 912. 66k miles, original paint and never apart, one owner for 50 years.

Front silver latch with gold Kamax bolts.

[longballa 1972 3.2SS Find all posts View Profile Close longballa]

Yeah, I hear you gold bolts up to 69 but I'm a 70-73 guy and have personally tore down one owner survivor cars that were not repainted and the 70-72's have silver latches and receivers in front with silver hardware. Typically the bolts said GOBI on top but I've seen other markings also. I tore down a 72 that was only on the road for 2 years as it was hit bad in an accident and then put in storage until I tore it apart for parts. Silver hardware on all the latches. The hood bolts are also silver with a black spring ring and silver flat washer. The yellow zinc bolts are on the door strikers and bolts that hold the engine lid to the hinges and rear hinges to the body.

[Rick Cabell 2.0L Find all posts View Profile Close Rick Cabell]

JP, I think the reason you can’t find a part number for the panel is because there isn’t one. I believe there was a template that aligned with the other outer 4 quarter sized holes and they simply drilled the large hole.