wing mirror

[paulj]

Hi I'm a new member (Paul Johnstone)
just completed restoration of my series1 2+2
and am very pleased with her
but rear view mirrors are a complete dilemma
it seems the series one was not supplied with them as an option
I am loathed to drill the door or wing
and am worried a clip on will at some point fall and damage paint
has any body any recommendation for anything!!!???
cheers

[Moeregaard]

Paul, the "Tex" door mirror was installed on E-Types sold in the U.S., but there are a number of aftermarket mirrors with the period look. I don't if there is a "right" one. The only caution I have is to avoid mounting one on the scuttle, since this may allow water to enter the firewall area with no way to exit. Personally, I hate exterior mirrors, but they make us fit them on this side of the pond.

[paulj]

Hi thanks :D
the mirror thing is difficult but realisticaly with todays traffic you do need that extra view.
lets face it when the E was introduced what was going to pass you !!
many thanks for the tip though
regards Paul

[MarkE]

Paul, I haven't found any period mirror yet that is of any use at all. They give a very small and limited view compared to modern mirrors, and tend to vibrate and blur at speed! I even had very limited success with the factory mirrors fitted to my S3, and these were fitted well into the mid seventies on the XJS and S2 XJ6.

As a biker, I really don't trust modern mirrors that much either come to think of it. A quick look over the shoulder is much safer, and as you say, if someone is overtaking you then you're probably not driving the E type as it should be driven!

[Heuer]

Paul

Have a look at the period pictures here: http://etypeuk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1408 Should give you an idea of what was available and fitted. Another site worth visiting is this one: http://tinyurl.com/yb56c6s Dedicated to the Mini but it has a fascinating section on period accessories and the companies who supplied them. Loads of original '60's catalogues to give you a flavour of the period.

[skiday]

I have fitted 'bullet' mirrors on the bonnet and think they look great. In the sixties, when cars were equipped with so much less stuff than today, people would go out and fit things like wing mirrors etc in places where they thought best. So despite my car not having these mirrors before, I believe they are not out of place or 'wrong' because if I had bought this car new in 1968 I would have put them on just the same as now. They make the car safer and I actually think they make the car look better (although they do cause the bonnet to not stay open unaided. BTW if you were to fit them on the inside of the chrome wing strip or on the doors you would see much less in them. The door ?bolt on mirror? works well in combination.
It is true to say that it was a heart-stopping moment when I drilled the hole, but I'm glad I did it (at least for the moment)
Would you say they look 'wrong'?

If you look at the period pictures that David has given a link to above you will see 'Bullet' mirrors in various places. The crashed E has them in the same place as mine, but interestingly the brown metallic racer #7 has them behind the bonnet ahead of the windscreen on the wing, which is where I would have liked to put them, but I didn't think it was possible due to access.

David, do you have the picture of the girl with the checkered flag jumping up in any better quality? I just love it and would like to print it out.

[Doug Foulds]

I have a small clip-on that fits onto the window channel. I also worried that it was working lose and would fall off so I cut a small piece of rubber from a bike innertube and folded it around the chrome channel. This has worked perfectly, the clamp has never slipped and the mirror works a treat and the best thng is no holes in my baby...! and it doesn't look out of place.

[Heuer]

"David, do you have the picture of the girl with the checkered flag jumping up in any better quality? I just love it and would like to print it out."


Afraid not. I found it on Google images I seem to recall, captured and posted it at the highest resolution available. And even then I had to tweak it in Picasa to get the colours anything like correct.

[paulj]

Thanks for the inner tube idea 8)
I'll give it a go
thanks paul

[bfeng]

I have fitted 'bullet' mirrors on the bonnet and think they look great.

I've got the same bullet mirrors on the cowl just aft of the bonnet line (mine's opalescent blue as well). They're perfect for seeing the blind spot and forward enough to be easier to use than door mounted mirrors. Admittedly, the field of view is not as wide, but if adjusted carefully they're sufficient. This avoids the problem of weighting the bonnet. Note: mine are on an S1, and I don't know if cowl mounting works for an S2 2+2 with the different windshield rake.

John

[Larry Wade]

No mirrors were installed by the factory. Mirrors were a dealer installed item. As such you can pick any period mirror and be correct.

Tex was only one of several options and not a very common one in the US.

I have a Talbot mirror that I like very much! It has a large rectangular face that is slightly convex. This gives an excellent view. Here is my car with the mirror mounted:

http://www.jag-lovers.org/snaps/snap_vi ... 1202933726

You can get them for a reasonable price....if you are patient. A pair of decent ones just sold for less than 100 euro (including shipping) in the US on ebay.

Cheers,
Larry