Best type of exterior mirrors

[mtnjag]

I was afraid it involved some welding. I like it though, just don’t have capability to weld.

[peters3103]

I had twin, wing mounted bullet mirrors on my Mk2 and they were too far forward to be of any use. My E-Type came with no mirrors so I bought a round 3” window frame mount one. I found this too close to focus so instead clamped it, like others here, on the top of door. Good viewing, doesn’t vibrate, looks good (in my opinion) and no holes drilled. Win, win, win, win.

[PeterCrespin]

I had twin, wing mounted bullet mirrors on my Mk2 and they were too far forward to be of any use.

Correct, basics laws of reflection. The further the mirror is from the eye, the narrower the field of vision. Convex mirrors expand the field at the cost of smaller imsges. The last thing you want in a mirror miles away is a tiny image. Bonnet mount mirrors look nice if you put form over function, but as practical driving aids they are a poor choice. If you have to look round to be certain of the situation you might as well not have drilled the holes.

The closer the mirror to your eyes, the bigger the field of view and the larger the image, pari passu. Hence door mirrors have been a legal requirement on new cars for ages and wing/bonnet mirrors don't pass muster.

[peters3103]

Pete, bonnet mount mirrors looking nice is, like most things, subjective. I always disliked them on my Mk2 but wasn’t prepared to fill holes and repaint so put up with them. Incidentally, the git who fitted them didn’t even check to see if they could be adjusted sufficiently to use from the drivers seat before fitting so they were just there for show (or not!)

[PeterCrespin]

I think they look stupid too, because you know by their position that the view is terribly compromised, even if the driver has hawk-like vision.

I was being uncharacteristically polite.

Since it clearly doesn’t suit me, I’ll revert to type :-)

[mtnjag]

Hi Steve,

I picked up a mirror from Summit Racing which appears to be the exact same mirror you have.
I find i cannot mount it on the door edge and use pads inside or outside. Mount is too tight.
Dont really want to screw the set screws into the underside of the flange into the paint/metal or mount the metal face of the mirror to the outside of the door without some kind of pad.

Does your mirror have pads that fit between the sheet metal and mirror mount?

Thanks
Layne

[bitsobrits]

Layne,

just verified my mount has a rubber(?) pad insert. My door edge measures right at .100" along that edge.

Clamp opening on the mirror base is about 3/8" wide, without inserts. (pads on both sides)


Link for the mirror I used: https://www.speedwaymotors.com/Universa ... ,7548.html

[mtnjag]

Hi Steve

Yep, see the pad on bottom.

Pad on both sides or is it metal to paint on the top?

Can't seem to find room on either side for a pad on this one although it comes with a formed pad that is made for the top of mount, mirror to outside.

Thanks,
Layne

[bitsobrits]

Edited my last post: Pads on both sides. As I recall I made both pads myself. Thin one on the top side, thicker on the bottom.

[mtnjag]

Thanks Steve, good info.

The mirror I got has a 1/4" opening, that would make the difference alright.

Got mine from Summit at same price, looked the same, I get stuff out of Reno in one day, and I had a free freight order to give to give them so I went with them. Oh well, I'm out $16. Maybe the mount will bend open more or I'll use it for something else.

I'll check with Speedway. Thanks for the link.

Layne

[bitsobrits]

I looked at my top pad and it's very thin plastic. I believe I used one of my wife's ultra thin cutting boards.

Perhaps you could use something similar on both sides? A 1/4" opening should leave plenty of room for some type of material to minimize paint damage.

[bitsobrits]

Also should note I eyeballed the clamp opening dimension, so 3/8" is not a direct measurement.

[mtnjag]

Thanks.

One way or the other the gap in my mirror will not allow any pads or shims to avoid metal contact top and bottom. We'll see what works out.

[Helter]

Hi,

I'm looking for this mirror, someone know where I can find one ?

Thanks

[Gfhug]

That is an unusual mirror, do you really want that style as many find the door pillar mirrors referred to by Heuer in post 11 are a very good option and save drilling holes in doors? I know from my own experience of fitting mirrors in the position you show that it can be very difficult to get the correct position.

Geoff

[Helter]

I don't know for the moment, yes, unusual, but very correct result I think.

[Gfhug]

Harry, I’ve not seen any mirrors like them on any E Type photos I’ve seen. Can I suggest they are one of the last items you need to find when rebuilding your car and to use the ones suggested above before looking for anything different. Have fun.

Geoff

[Helter]

Yes you're right, so many things and work to do before thinking of the mirrors

[dlgis]

I recently spent ages deliberating about which mirrors to fit and as others have suggested went for some that attach to the window frame so I’m not drilling holes in the door and regretting it later. I bought the Fosseway ones and they have stayed put up to my gps recorded max speed so far of 67mph

[DWW]

I also went for the Fosseway window frame mirrors, I get a reasonable view of what is happening behind me and 80+mph on the track did not shift them.