Steve, Brian‘s screen is an all-screen version without the raised air cleaner bubble. That pretty much guarantees it was not from a 1973 or 1974 car
I have two spare center screens and one is markedly longer than the other. Still trying to figure out what the longer version was installed on. The shorter version matches the one on 2511. I am beginning to think the long one was from the very very early cars prior to VIN1285. Mine both attach with sheet metal screws, not the Dzus fasteners used on the lighter cars
before Brian started his thread I was trying to put together a full set of the three covers for a PCNC member lacking all three, as I already had the center and the Rh side cover. I have located a seller with the LH side cover so I think I have managed to find a complete set for that owner.
I have also been in discussions with an owner in Australia who is likewise missing all 3 of his factory screens. His car is prior to VIN 1285, so I am thinking the long screen may actually be correct for his car.
I am still unclear as to why Brian’s screen is not a correct match for his side covers. Either he has the long version of the screen or there is some side-cover fitment issue.
if you study the parts book you will find there are apparently five different versions of the engine cover assembly. But other than part numbers there is nothing physically describing the pieces or how they differ from each other. Note the two very small subsets marked with blue arrows.
I will be making a few vendor phone calls to see if any of them perhaps fully understand the characteristics of the five versions.
Doug‘s suggestion of fabricating a center screen is not that difficult of an endeavor. Some half inch angle stock, screen and a TIG welder, along with some careful bending of the angle stock, doesn’t seem like too difficult a project.
A very quick Google search turned up some likely prospects, but not an OEM match. Not sure that is really a critical problem, as the screens are painted black, and very seldom have any direct sunlight that could highlight the differences. And how often would a fabricated screen be directly compared to an OEM screen?
if I learn anything of value from my phone calls I will be posting it in this thread.
Larry