Yes! Its the 411/412 way! Just when you think you have it figured out...you find something else unique!
There were technically....appearance wise...three gauges in the type 4's. There was the 411 gauge...which had the longer taller numerals. Then the very late 411...into early 412...which had the shorter numerals...more mph "tics" in between.
Now...all of them to this point were pretty much the same design and had the same warning lights.....two two blinker lights (green/yellow) a green parking light warning light, red oil light, red alt light and blue high beam.
The 74 version is slightly different. It had a different back plate and they ALL had quartz clocks instead of mechanical movement. The used safety orange on the gas gauge instead of flat red. I "think"....I will have to look...That the warning lights were one less...or had slightly different symbols. When you look at pre 74 and 74 side by side...the difference is ntocable. I will check and compare. Ray
Well, until I turn one up, I have placed a wanted ad on theSamba ( http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/ ... ?id=486531 ). This should show what I'm looking for, and it is dated 3/73. It does have that 'florescent safety orange' reserve area you referred to. I believe my clock is quartz (still works great), and only has one turn-signal indicator.
If you look at the photos in the ad, you can see that I had re-riveted the face back on....I tried repairing it, but.........well, I'm still looking for another one .
Travis.....let me look in my parts stash tonight. I am pretty sure that I have a working 1974 fuel gauge complete...the whole gauge unit ...minus the quartz clock....which you can just screw yours in. You are welcome to it for free. I will never use it. Ray
Sorry for the delay...busy weekend. I have two more boxes to get to in my storage unit. I have an entire case of gauges. I will have one for you by today and will let you know the condition. Ray
Whoa, wait a minute, just reread this thread. Your '73 has the twist style sender/float instead of the bolt-on canister type? I have spare '74 gauges in my garage right now from a 412 I parted out, could you use anything from those?
Well, I believe I have won with the Super Beetle sending unit (yes, with the float hanging off of an arm), and now I just need the gauge. I had replaced the gauge once already (when I first bought the car from Jen), and since it has now died, I have tried two earlier gauges....both dead. Unless I am missing something, anyways.
The last one I tried (I bought from a guy in Arlington, Texas), and even though the tank is nearly empty, it goes straight to full. I have tested the resistance of the sending unit, and checked the wiring to-and-from the gauge/sender, which all seems to be good.
I found the gauge- it is sitting on my desk as I type this. The red/orange part is slightly faded. I have no idea of the working condition. PM me with offer- $$$, trades, etc...
Thanks, Ray. We'll have to see how things play out.
I have completed reupholstering the seats in this car, as well as replacing the carpeting behind the back seat, so it's starting to really come together. I installed the seat heaters at the same time, which are a nice addition for my part of the planet this time of year. I'll post some pics on the site real soon.
Right now, my clock is just sitting loose in the dash, and it's missing the fuel gauge. It bugs me every time I get into the car.
Thanks to Ubercrap, I now have a functioning fuel gauge . Man, that has bugged me for a long time....now I don't have to worry about how much gas I had left, and whether or not I was going to run out.
Its the 411/412 way! Just when you think you have it figured out...you find something else unique! 
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