door mirrors for my pi resto

[david_lall]

I've got door mirrors on the Triumph, they're actually Stag mirrors with a longer arm. They look nicer, have a larger footprint on the door but don't angle up so well. Personally Charles, I don't like door mirrors and love wing mirrors. They're on my MG and in all honesty, once accustomed to are far more useful than door mirrors. I used to drive an Austin 1300 GT that only had an interior mirror, aside from the fact it went so fast forwards that there was never a need to look behind, one does get used to looking around rather than using door/wing mirrors.

[Graham]

I know that feeling, it's scary!!

Luckily, hole was already in the roof so it was just a direct replacement.

I'm not looking forward to drilling the sills for the trim clips though......

Don't be such a big girl. I've done both cars, no probs and they look unfinished without the trims.

That makes two big girls then, I've never fitteed the sill trims on either of our cars.

[Alan Chatterton]

I will be fitting the trims, I just need to take some brave pills first. Concentrating on getting it running first, minor trim can wait!

[Mike Stevens]

When in 2012 my Stag had its first MoT after the rebuild, the garage thought it should have a driver door/wing mirror. Actually, they were wrong but it had failed on something else anyway (brake lights not working due to the night dimming relay failing on the way to the garage!)

I fitted the original door mirror and that took some guts to drill into the freshly painted door! In the end it turned out OK and rather than the usual self tapping screws, I fitted thread inserts into the door skin.

Interestingly, the mirror was a Trico (?) one which is just the same as a big saloon type - not a 'swept-back' one as usually fitted to the Stag. I've had the car since 1987 with the same mirror, so I reckon it was original. I think this reinforces the thought that they were dealer fitted and maybe that was all that they had at the time!

Just remember, measure twice (or 3 times, or 4...) and drill once!

Cheers,
Mike.

[CAR]

I will be fitting the trims, I just need to take some brave pills first. Concentrating on getting it running first, minor trim can wait!

You get the car, trims and fixings to the National, I'll bring a battery drill and bits with me and we'll sort them.

[Alan Chatterton]

Deal!!

[johnnydog]

Tex make a 'period' door mirror for both sides. However, having used them before, they are slightly different from the original ones in that the plinth is a different profile, and they are definitely not as good quality as the original ones that would have fitted to a late model in the day.
You see the original style ones regularly for sale in autojumbles, but you need to check the chrome base is free from pitting. The head on the repro ones tend to work loose easily which is annoying when they move at speed!
The later reproduction ones ones are easily identified from the original ones, as they have a screw head on the underside of the head near to the pivot, whereas the early ones don't. Also the back of the base (opposite end from the grub screw) is quite straight to the pivot point of the head, whereas the original ones are noticeably curved.
As its a PI, you could consider fitting Radyot (I think that's spelt right) period door mirrors. They came in chrome or black finish, but the black would suit a PI. There is also a variant that had an extending head if you tow a caravan, which just opens out from the mirror head by just slackening a thumb screw. I've got these as well, which I think are very good too.

[johnnydog]

Alan, I removed the rivit from the trim clips on the last car I refitted sill trims to, and used a small stainless steel self tapping screw in its place. I felt this was a) kinder to the metal work, and b) easy to remove at a later date if necessary as there is no rivit to drill out. I also put plenty of waxoyl or similar around the clip and screw, and there is no rust there at all many years later.

[Alan Chatterton]

Thanks John, good idea. I think I'll do that.

[englishbull]

I will be fitting the trims, I just need to take some brave pills first. Concentrating on getting it running first, minor trim can wait!

You get the car, trims and fixings to the National, I'll bring a battery drill and bits with me and we'll sort them.

Form an orderly queue?..................

I do not fancy doing this too my cars either..............

May stick them on