Best type of exterior mirrors

Talk about the E-Type Series 1

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Lual
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#1 Best type of exterior mirrors

Post by Lual » Tue Oct 27, 2020 10:08 pm

Hi,

Is there any better type of exterior mirrors to fit in a S1 in terms of visibility?

Is it better a “bullet” type on the bonnet over those clip ones on the windows?

Thanks a lot

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Mich7920
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#2 Re: Best type of exterior mirrors

Post by Mich7920 » Wed Oct 28, 2020 7:37 am

Hi,
I prefer bullet on the bonnet.
You don't turn a lot your head to look behind.
I also found it more aesthetic.
Mich
Michel
1965 E Type FHC - On the road / 1963 E Type OTS - on the road after Angus Restoration

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bitsobrits
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#3 Re: Best type of exterior mirrors

Post by bitsobrits » Wed Oct 28, 2020 10:28 pm

3" hotrod mirror clamps to the door edge-no holes! Works well for me. Speedwaymotors.com has them, but should be available from others as well.

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Steve
'65 S1 4.2 FHC (early)

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lopena
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#4 Re: Best type of exterior mirrors

Post by lopena » Thu Oct 29, 2020 12:54 pm

I’m happy with this pair of vintage Talbot bullet mirrors mounted on my bonnet:

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Alan
N.J.

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chrisfell
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#5 Re: Best type of exterior mirrors

Post by chrisfell » Thu Oct 29, 2020 1:45 pm

Many years ago Dad had an Austin Maxi. He had wing mirrors fitted as that was what he was used to, but it also had a door mirror. I drove the car occasionally (usually when I thought no-one was looking - it was a truly awful car) and found the door mirror gave a far better view of the road than the wing mirror, despite each being approximately the same size.

My E once had bullet style door mirrors. One day I will fit them again, in the meanwhile I have clip on door mirrors as a stop gap.

The stop gap has been going for over thirteen years.
Chris '67 S1 2+2

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mtnjag
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#6 Re: Best type of exterior mirrors

Post by mtnjag » Thu Oct 29, 2020 9:50 pm

I have a window frame clamp on mirror which makes quite a bit of wind noise.
Don't really want to drill any holes.
How's the wind noise with the door clamp on from Speedway?
Layne
Car #876005, 62 OTS

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Martin Petschnig
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#7 Re: Best type of exterior mirrors

Post by Martin Petschnig » Fri Oct 30, 2020 9:25 am

Hi, I did it like Steve. I´m happy with the view and there is no need to drill a whole into your bonnet.
Attachments
mirror.jpg
mirror.jpg (176.25 KiB) Viewed 6189 times
Martin Petschnig

Jaguar E-Type 3.8 Coupe 1964
Jaguar XK120 OTS 1952
Rolls Royce Phantom 2 Pullman 1934

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mtnjag
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#8 Re: Best type of exterior mirrors

Post by mtnjag » Fri Oct 30, 2020 2:02 pm

So i see Speedway has both a 3” and 4” mirror that look the same.

Steve is using the 3” and looks like Martin you are using a 3” also.

So how is the wind noise from the mirror you guys?
Layne
Car #876005, 62 OTS

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Moeregaard
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#9 Re: Best type of exterior mirrors

Post by Moeregaard » Fri Oct 30, 2020 3:09 pm

I had a single Talbot bullet mirror attached as far back as possible on the bonnet. It was almost totally useless, but met the letter of the law in California--and it looked cool. A door mirror would have made more sense. I've seen a number of E-Types with mirrors fitted to the scuttle, and I don't recommend this because any water that makes it past the mirror's gasket will drain into the scuttle--not a good thing.
Mark (Moe) Shipley
Former owner '66FHC, #1E32208
Former owner '65FHC, #1E30036

Planning on getting E-Type No. 3 as soon as possible....

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mtnjag
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#10 Re: Best type of exterior mirrors

Post by mtnjag » Fri Oct 30, 2020 3:16 pm

Agree on the bonnet mounted mirror, look cool but not too good in functionality IMO. Had one on the scuttle and did away with it when painted partially for that reason.

Have the little rectangular mirror clamped on the window frame but makes a lot of wind noise, works ok but the round ones look like they would work better and maybe less noise.
Layne
Car #876005, 62 OTS

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Heuer
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#11 Re: Best type of exterior mirrors

Post by Heuer » Fri Oct 30, 2020 4:23 pm

I use the frame mirrors. The biggest problem is the clamp is designed for a flat frame whereas the E-Type Frame is curved. They will invariably fall off at speed, possibly hitting the bodywork or another car. My solution was to grind the part that mates with the frame into a curve to match. I then attached the mirrors placing a piece of inner tube rubber between the mount and frame. Once tightened I trimmed the rubber with a sharp knife so it can't be seen. They have not moved since despite some very spirited driving! Incidentally the supplied nylon cushion is useless.

I bought mine here: https://www.holden.co.uk/displayproduct ... de=090.177
David Jones
S1 OTS OSB; S1 FHC ODB
1997 Porsche 911 Guards Red

Add your E-Type to our World Map: http://forum.etypeuk.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=1810

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JCrosby
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#12 Re: Best type of exterior mirrors

Post by JCrosby » Fri Oct 30, 2020 4:37 pm

I also use the frame mount mirrors and did pretty much the same modifications as David, and also cut a bit away on the bracket so it fit more cleanly. They've been rock solid. Although I'm not a big Concours person, I have participated in a couple, and the JCNA rules in the US would ding you for them being non-authentic, but they remove fast and easy.

Bought mine from Fosseway. He seems to be the only one who also has them with a convex mirror which seems much better for the passenger side.
1965 S1 4.2 OTS 1E10425

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bitsobrits
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#13 Re: Best type of exterior mirrors

Post by bitsobrits » Fri Oct 30, 2020 4:38 pm

mtnjag wrote:
Fri Oct 30, 2020 2:02 pm
So i see Speedway has both a 3” and 4” mirror that look the same.

Steve is using the 3” and looks like Martin you are using a 3” also.

So how is the wind noise from the mirror you guys?

I bought the 4" originally, but didn't seem to be the right scale for the car.

Wind noise is minor, IMHO. And mostly a non factor as I generally drive with the windows at least partially open, and always use an earplug in my window side ear.
Steve
'65 S1 4.2 FHC (early)

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malcolm
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#14 Re: Best type of exterior mirrors

Post by malcolm » Fri Oct 30, 2020 4:58 pm

JCrosby wrote:
Fri Oct 30, 2020 4:37 pm
I also use the frame mount mirrors and did pretty much the same modifications as David, and also cut a bit away on the bracket so it fit more cleanly. They've been rock solid. Although I'm not a big Concours person, I have participated in a couple, and the JCNA rules in the US would ding you for them being non-authentic, but they remove fast and easy.

Bought mine from Fosseway. He seems to be the only one who also has them with a convex mirror which seems much better for the passenger side.

:yeahthat:
Did exactly the same, including cutting away part of the bracket. Works well now.
Malcolm
I only fit in a 2+2, so got one!
1969 Series 2 2+2
2009 Jaguar XF-S
2015 F Type V6 S

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mtnjag
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#15 Re: Best type of exterior mirrors

Post by mtnjag » Fri Oct 30, 2020 5:20 pm

I see Holden has a lot of choices.

My OTS window channel frame is flat, perhaps different on FHCs?

A bit concerned about the door having enough clearance as it’s a fairly tight fit but good to know both options are there.

Maybe the round mirror offers less noise on the window.

Think I’ll pick one up and do a trial.

Thanks.
Layne
Car #876005, 62 OTS

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Martin Petschnig
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#16 Re: Best type of exterior mirrors

Post by Martin Petschnig » Fri Oct 30, 2020 6:25 pm

I did not recognise a difference in wind noise. The mirror came from my fundus and was probably mounted on a Vespa 30 years ago.
Martin Petschnig

Jaguar E-Type 3.8 Coupe 1964
Jaguar XK120 OTS 1952
Rolls Royce Phantom 2 Pullman 1934

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mtnjag
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#17 Re: Best type of exterior mirrors

Post by mtnjag » Fri Oct 30, 2020 7:45 pm

Great!
Layne
Car #876005, 62 OTS

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64etype
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#18 Re: Best type of exterior mirrors

Post by 64etype » Fri Oct 30, 2020 9:22 pm

This is a TEX offering from XKS/MOSS, and I believe SNG among others. I modified the mount bracket to fit over the forward edge of the window frame. It stays put with rubber inserts between the window frame
and the brackets, but even if it came loose it would simply slide downward instead of bouncing down the side of the car. Enlarging the photo gives a better view of the modified bracket.


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Eric

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mtnjag
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#19 Re: Best type of exterior mirrors

Post by mtnjag » Fri Oct 30, 2020 9:28 pm

Looks good. What did you do to modify the mount?
Layne
Car #876005, 62 OTS

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64etype
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#20 Re: Best type of exterior mirrors

Post by 64etype » Fri Oct 30, 2020 9:54 pm

Cut the bottom out of the original bracket "U" and welded in a wider piece that was sized for the window channel (plus rubber spacers).

I might raise them higher on the frame to reduce eye/head movement when driving.
Eric

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