Porsche 914 & 914/6 Tachometers

Front and Center

All Porsche 914 models were delivered with a large 115 mm (4.5 inch) VDO tachometer, situated in the center of the dash cluster. The tachs are black-faced with white print and a red-orange needle, although, as with all 1970-1971 Porsche 914 and 914/6 dash cluster gauges, some units had off-white print (there is no part number differentiation for print color). The tachometer also houses the high beam and turn signal indicator(s). Like most Porsche 914 VDO gauges, the tachometer is a sealed unit with the mechanism accessible only through prying off the molded bezel ring. Problems pervasive to all 914 tachs include needle bouncing, needle fading, lens fogging, lens scratching and bezel wear.

Current eBay listings for Porsche 914 and 914/6 tachometers (compare listed gauges with those pictured on this page to ensure authenticity and model year utilization):

Porsche 914 and 914/6 Tachometers on eBAY

1970 - 1973 Porsche 914 Tachometers

The 1970-1973 and very early 1974 Porsche 914 tachometers are commonly referred to as a "silver button" or "silver center" gauges, because they each have a silver-colored cap covering the needle pivot. These units have deep bezel rings and the majority have glass lenses, although the tachs installed in late model year 1973 and 1974 914s frequently had plastic lenses. These early Porsche 914 tachs, designated part number 914 641 302 10, have a 7000 RPM maximum and 5600-5800 redline, regardless of engine size. As noted above. some of the very early units had off-white print (pictures of both print tones provided). As with all "silver button" gauges, the two-piece, painted steel bezel on these units is prone to rust. The tachometer illustration reproduced at right is from the 1972 Porsche 914 owner's manual.

1974 - 1976  Porsche 914 Tachometers

The 1974-1976 Porsche 914 tach models are commonly referred to as "black center" gauges, because they have do not have the silver-colored cap covering the needle pivot found in the earlier style. These units, bearing part number 914 641 302 12, have shallow, black-painted steel or brass (1976 model year) bezel rings and plastic lenses that are prone to scratching. It is possible that some of the later tachometers came from the factory with glass lenses, but we have never seen one. These tachs also have a 7000 RPM maximum with a 5600-5800 RPM redline, regardless of engine size. For reference, the tachometer illustration from the 1974 Porsche 914 owner's manual is reproduced at right.

1970 - 1972  Porsche 914/6 Tachometers

Porsche 914/6 models were all equipped with an 8000 RPM maximum tachometer with a 6300-6500 RPM redline. The Porsche 914/6 tach, designated part number 914 641 301 10, is the same "silver button" style as the early 914 units. In another documentation mistake, the tachometer illustration in the Porsche 914/6 owner's manual (reproduced at right) shows the redline in the wrong location -- 6400-6600 RPM.

The 914/6 tachometer is nearly identical to the Porsche 911T tachometer, although the redline is slightly narrower (6300-6500 RPM v. 6300-6600 RPM) and the Porsche 911T tach had either part number 911 641 301 00 or 911 641 301 01, depending on the model year (a Porsche 911T tachometer is pictured at bottom right for comparison).