Door mirrors

[Paul Bearman]

Has anyone used the Vitaloni mirrors that Grand Prix Racewear in the UK sell?
I have tried to source a mirror with good all round visibility for the GTD40 but so far with out much success. The 'bullet' type look original but offer poor visibility especially with a flat lense.
I have tried to find a supplier for the Mazda RX7 mirrors that some of you guys in the US are using which look great, but so far every supplier in the UK is telling me these are a non-standard UK item.
I know that some people have used motor bike mirrors, any comments here would be appreciated.

 

[Trevor Booth]

Paul,
RX7's get crashed with "gay abandon" here in Oz. I could probably locate some for you if reqd. What series RX7. I can send to Uk "on the cheap" if you are not in a hurry.

 

[Brett James-McCall]

Trevor,
I think they are the Series 1 or 2 around 84? I also have been looking for a set. May be interested as well if you could get a price. Thanks

Brett

 

[Mike Dozier]

Yep...Series 1....easy to tell from the Series 2 since they are pedastal mounted versus direct door mount of the
newer mirrors. There are actually (3) pieces to each mirror,
the head, pedastal, and base.

MikeD

 

[Paul Bearman]

I thought they were series 1 but 1987.
Trevor, if you can get them then perhaps you could get a pair for myself & Brett. If so please let us know approx price for the mirrors plus postage to the UK.
Brett, send me a PM to confirm either way.
Many thanks Trevor.

 

[Mike Dozier]

86-91 is direct mount(triangle shape) = NG.
84-85 is pedastal mount as seen on several US GT40s.
Pre-84 are also pedastal, but not sure if they same as 84/85.

MikeD

 

[Lynn Larsen]

Paul,

I have a set of Vittaloni Californian mirrors. Alas, I cannot comment on their suitability on the road as my car is still in the #_)*(&$^*(# paintshop.

Regards,
Lynn

 

[Hershal Byrd]

The new Mini Coopers have great looking mirrors. They are a little larger than the RX7 mirrors but I think that's a good thing. While at the Auto Show I checked them out pretty closely and it appears they will fit a GT40 door with no alterations. They might be a bit costly because of the newness but it's worth a look.

Hersh /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Chuck]

Hersh,
I looked at the Mini mirrors today and will check the price tomorrow. Do you think the door contour is the same on the GT40 as the Mini?

 

[Mark Worthington]

I found myself looking at a lot of morrors yesterday after I read Hershal's post. First, you need to rule out all the rectangular or boxy ones. Then you need to rule out all the ones that don't mount to the door on a pedastal...for example all the Fords mount to a triangular plate in the front corner of the side window. Then you need to think of what would look good on a GT40. The Mini mirrors struck me as perhaps a little too big for a GT40. I'll see if I can get some measurements and compare it to the Mazda RX7 mirrors.

 

[Paul W]

I saw a set of Mazda MX5 mirrors today that may work.
Has anybody used these ????

 

[Ricky]

FWIW just remember that with the RX7 mirrors in particular that they are handed. ie LH drive mirrors and RH drive mirrors are canted at differing angles for visibility from the respective drivers seat position. I got caught out having a friend bring some back to OZ from the USA and only realised the problem when they were fitted. I then had to source mirrors locally from a breakers yard (about A$75 complete with control switch etc)

I also considered the "new" mini and MX5 mirrors after the event in one of those "La La land" drives home one night after work and spotting an example of each along the way. I believe the mini ones would work and the styling would fit in quite nicely.

If the door angles are slightly wrong for the mounting you can make a base from Sikaflex by mounting the mirror loosly and back filling with sika from the open side then once cured after a few days torque up the fixing bolts. some Cling wrap applied to the painted door surface before fitting will also mean that the new mounting gasket will be removable after it has set.

Cheers,
RV

 

[Hershal Byrd]

Even the Mazda mirrors needed a base gasket. I used a 1/4" thick piece cut from a rubber mud flap off of a semi trailer. I contoured one side of the gasket so it would sit nicely on the door. Works real well.
I like the mini mirrors. If they look good on a little car like that then they will look really good on the GT. I like the fact that they are slightly bigger. It doesn't hurt that they are alot newer either.

Hersh /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Paul Thompson 'Hooligan']

and there you have it - BMW Mini mirrors on Roy Smarts Mk1 GTD - (electrically adjustable + Heated demist!)

 

Those smiley faces show the real nature of the beast. Looks great. Joe /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[Trevor Booth]

Oz Escort MkI 160 wide 100 high (body dim) base angle 45 deg. All plastic, separate adaptors available for diff slope.

 

[Trevor Booth]

another view

 

[Trevor Booth]

and another

 

[Trevor Booth]

Mazda RX7 Ser I, 160 wide 90 high, plastic body, metal pedestal in 2 parts, 30 deg base angle, elec adj.

 

[Trevor Booth]

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