Home  |  Forums  |  914 Info  |  Blogs
 
914World.com - The fastest growing online 914 community!
 
Porsche, and the Porsche crest are registered trademarks of Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG. This site is not affiliated with Porsche in any way.
Its only purpose is to provide an online forum for car enthusiasts. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.
 

Welcome Guest ( Log In | Register )

 
 Reply to this topicStart new topic
> Would drilling a small hole in a PORSCHE center reflector hurt it's value?, 911 OE center reflector cut down for use on a 914
914rrr
post Apr 16 2026, 07:35 AM
Post #1


Advanced Member
****

Group: Members
Posts: 2,046
Joined: 1-July 03
From: McMinnville, TN
Member No.: 874
Region Association: South East States
My 75 1.8 has a really nice but cut-down / modified 911 rear center reflector. I was fiddling with the taillights last weekend and may have disturbed the solenoid wiring for the rear trunk release. Now the button won't pop the rear trunk open.

Many years ago I had a similar set up and drilled a tiny hole in the reflector in order to insert a thin allen wrench to open the rear trunk in emergencies. Since the reflector is already cut and only useful to 914 owners, would drilling a small hole in my reflector decrease it's value? I'm contemplating removing the reflector and going back to the stock set up.

Thoughts?
User is online!Profile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
sb914
post Apr 16 2026, 08:04 AM
Post #2


Surf Guru
****

Group: Members
Posts: 4,629
Joined: 25-November 12
From: Brookings,Oregon
Member No.: 15,191
Region Association: Southern California
I’d go back to stock . Looks better and it’s a pia when it won’t open .
User is online!Profile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
mepstein
post Apr 16 2026, 08:20 AM
Post #3


914-6 GT in waiting
***************

Group: Members
Posts: 20,632
Joined: 19-September 09
From: Landenberg, PA/Wilmington, DE
Member No.: 10,825
Region Association: MidAtlantic Region
Yes but does it really matter if that’s what you need to do to get the lid open.
User is online!Profile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
jd74914
post Apr 16 2026, 08:43 AM
Post #4


Its alive
****

Group: Members
Posts: 4,876
Joined: 16-February 04
From: CT
Member No.: 1,659
Region Association: North East States
If you're so inclined...you can remove the trunk catch with about 3ft of extensions...they will flex enough to get you to the right place putting them on one by one from the engine bay. BTDT. Then got rid of the reflector.
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
914rrr
post Apr 16 2026, 09:32 AM
Post #5


Advanced Member
****

Group: Members
Posts: 2,046
Joined: 1-July 03
From: McMinnville, TN
Member No.: 874
Region Association: South East States
QUOTE(mepstein @ Apr 16 2026, 09:20 AM) *

Yes but does it really matter if that’s what you need to do to get the lid open.


I really don't need to drill a hole to get the lid open, but it would be easier and way more convenient for future snafus. I don't want to drill a hole in it if it substantially decreases the reflector's value / desirability to a subsequent 914 owner.
User is online!Profile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
914rrr
post Apr 16 2026, 10:26 AM
Post #6


Advanced Member
****

Group: Members
Posts: 2,046
Joined: 1-July 03
From: McMinnville, TN
Member No.: 874
Region Association: South East States
QUOTE(mepstein @ Apr 16 2026, 09:20 AM) *

Yes but does it really matter if that’s what you need to do to get the lid open.


I really don't need to drill a hole to get the lid open, but it would be easier and way more convenient for future snafus. I don't want to drill a hole in it if it substantially decreases the reflector's value / desirability to a subsequent 914 owner.
User is online!Profile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
rjames
post Apr 16 2026, 10:41 AM
Post #7


I'm made of metal
****

Group: Members
Posts: 4,450
Joined: 24-July 05
From: Shoreline, WA
Member No.: 4,467
Region Association: Pacific Northwest
It would likely decrease the value of it unless it's in less than good condition already.
I have a cut down reflector on mine (previous owner mod) and had the soleniod fail shortly after buying the car. I went the route of drilling a hole in the trunk floor just large enough to run a bike brake cable through to open the trunk from below. Not a perfect solution either, but works until I can remove the refelctor and patch the holes in the back panel.
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
Superhawk996
post Apr 16 2026, 11:03 AM
Post #8


914 Guru
*****

Group: Members
Posts: 7,783
Joined: 25-August 18
From: Woods of N. Idaho
Member No.: 22,428
Region Association: Galt's Gulch
Doh
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
Superhawk996
post Apr 16 2026, 11:07 AM
Post #9


914 Guru
*****

Group: Members
Posts: 7,783
Joined: 25-August 18
From: Woods of N. Idaho
Member No.: 22,428
Region Association: Galt's Gulch
QUOTE(Superhawk996 @ Apr 16 2026, 01:03 PM) *

QUOTE(jd74914 @ Apr 16 2026, 10:43 AM) *

If you're so inclined...you can remove the trunk catch with about 3ft of extensions...they will flex enough to get you to the right place putting them on one by one from the engine bay. BTDT. Then got rid of the reflector.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) this !!!

Hint: tape the extensions and the socket together so they can’t separate in the trunk

User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
Superhawk996
post Apr 16 2026, 11:08 AM
Post #10


914 Guru
*****

Group: Members
Posts: 7,783
Joined: 25-August 18
From: Woods of N. Idaho
Member No.: 22,428
Region Association: Galt's Gulch
Doh!
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
Jack Standz
post Apr 16 2026, 02:23 PM
Post #11


Senior Member
***

Group: Members
Posts: 764
Joined: 15-November 19
From: Happy Place (& surrounding area)
Member No.: 23,644
Region Association: None
Our '74 has the rear modified 911 reflector. A cable with a small handle was run into the engine compartment by the PO from the trunk latch.

It works and no hole in the center of the reflector.

Yes, the hole will impact the value/$ But really, if you make this modification to your 914, the reflector looks better without the hole in it. And some even say the 914 looks better without the modified 911 reflector that doesn't belong on a (stock) 914. You do you, hole or not.
User is online!Profile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
fiacra
post Apr 16 2026, 05:06 PM
Post #12


Person.Woman.Man.Camera.TV. = MCI
***

Group: Members
Posts: 723
Joined: 1-March 19
From: East Bay Region - California
Member No.: 22,920
Region Association: Northern California
I think the more pertinent question is: would being unable to open the trunk decrease the value of my car?

My previous car had a reflector and the diameter of the hole drilled in it was ~1.5mm. I used a small stainless steel rod to open the trunk. It was an Kirschner wire, used in surgery to pin small bones, so not sure how easy it is to get one. Any steel rod should do fine. The hole is so small it was basically unnoticeable. Whatever you do, you need to have some back-up method of opening the trunk. I'd rather drill a tiny hole in the reflector than drill a hole in my car.
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
Jack Standz
post Apr 16 2026, 05:58 PM
Post #13


Senior Member
***

Group: Members
Posts: 764
Joined: 15-November 19
From: Happy Place (& surrounding area)
Member No.: 23,644
Region Association: None
Open the trunk lid with solenoid. If it fails to open, use the cable that you install and stays neatly inside the engine bay.

No hole. Not needed.
User is online!Profile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
« Next Oldest · 914World Garage · Next Newest »
 

Reply to this topicStart new topic
1 User(s) are reading this topic (1 Guests and 0 Anonymous Users)
0 Members:

 

Display Mode: Standard · Switch to: Linear+ · Switch to: Outline

Track this topic · Email this topic · Print this topic · Subscribe to this forum

- Lo-Fi Version Time is now: 16th April 2026 - 06:06 PM
Invision Power Board v9.1.4 © 2026  IPS, Inc.
...
All rights reserved 914World.com © since 2002
914World.com is the fastest growing online 914 community!
We have it all, classifieds, events, forums, vendors, parts, autocross, racing, technical articles, events calendar, newsletter, restoration, gallery, archives, history and more for your Porsche 914 ...