Please ejemicate me

[Chickensoup]

Hi all, one of my pipe dreams is to own an early 912 or 911 one day. And i really like the style with the large headlights. However, ive seen cars of the same year with both small and large beetle like headlights. How is this so? is there a name for this? Why was this so? for example, here is the smaller kind,

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=2426636

and here a larger,

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=2402481

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=2425481

are they both interchangeable? or are the fenders different entirely?

Thank you!
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-'85 c10 5.3 LS, 222 cam, long tubes, x pipe, 3 inch spin tech's
-'05 B5.5 TDI Wagon 17in sport rims ;EGR + BSM + ASV Delete, Stage-2 Tune, straight pipe
'65 Tourist Delivery Build
'66 RIP
'69 RIP
Hosea 4:6 "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge"

[Glenn]

US Spec vs European spec.

In the US you had to have DOT approved sealed beams. In Europe you had H4.

As far as I know the fenders are the same and it's an easy swap.

https://www.pelicanparts.com/More_Info/AFS91163110...7wQAvD_BwE

_________________
Glenn
74 Beetle Specs | 74 Beetle Restoration | 2180cc Engine
"You may not get what you pay for, but you always pay for what you get"

Member #1009

#BlueSquare

[Wolfgangdieter]

From the 912Registry-

"In 1968 the United States Department of Transportation (D.O.T.) imposed mandates that would significantly change the Porsche 912 for that year. No longer permitted were glass lenses that had enclosed the headlights, and in their place were large chrome bezels that housed the lenses directly."
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CMC '57 Porsche Speedster Replica and Dolphin boat tailed full pan VW MOD-T Street Buggy

[Chickensoup]

Awesome! thank you guys. So if i see one here with euro headlights im guessing its safe to assume the car was imported here at some point in its life.
_________________
-'85 c10 5.3 LS, 222 cam, long tubes, x pipe, 3 inch spin tech's
-'05 B5.5 TDI Wagon 17in sport rims ;EGR + BSM + ASV Delete, Stage-2 Tune, straight pipe
'65 Tourist Delivery Build
'66 RIP
'69 RIP
Hosea 4:6 "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge"

[Glenn]

[jt912]

The headlights with the covers were used until ‘68. They do have a different mounting system than the “sugar scoop” lights which became standard in 1968. This is seen in the actual headlight bucket on the fender. The ‘68-on lights have three tabs which the headlight carrier mounts to.

[Alan Brase]

There are at least 4 different kinds:
Early European H1
Early Us spec using DOT sealed beam 1965-67
Later "sugar scoop" US DOT spec with sealed beams out in the wind.
Later European H4
Plus, there are various countries' versions of all these: UK and right facing; Italy, France, some Scandinavian countries had different specs.
Front and rear blinkers also had many variations.
So, yes, determining if the car was originally sold in the US or another country, there is a lot to determine.
All cars with the late 1981 type VIN will tell this info from the VIN.
I have a grey market 1979, and it has a DOT applied compliance sticker. and the name of the RI (Registered Importer) Mario's Motors in my case
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Al Brase
Projects: 67 sunroof bug, 67 Porsche 912 Targa, 70 Westy
Dec 1955 Single Cab pickup WANT 15" BUS RIMS dated 8/55, thru 12/55
To New owners: 1969 doublecab, 1971 Dormobile
Vanagons:
80 P27 Westy JUL 1979, 3rd oldest known US
83 1.6TD Vanagon, 87 Wolfie Westy daily driver, swap meet home