Mirrors

PostPost by: elan4me » Tue Sep 14, 2004 11:25 pm

I'm in the final chapter of my 69 elan S4 droptop restoration. The body is back, with a beautiful BRG paint job. When I purchased it the mirror was broken. What type of mirrors were orginal for this car. What other types of mirrors would work? Did they put mirrors on bith sides?
Thanks,
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PostPost by: mac5777 » Tue Sep 14, 2004 11:42 pm

Elan4me, I can not help you on the original equipment. My 67 Elan coupe has a bullet type mirror only on the drivers side (LHD). I had a spitfire and ordered, for both sides, bullet mirrors, 3 1/2 inch, mounted on the doors and there was not enough adjustment to see the traffic. May elan has a door mounted, fully adjustable 4 1/2 inch mirror and I can see. SOOO, don't drill until you can see, not like I did.
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PostPost by: melon.28 » Wed Sep 15, 2004 5:19 am

Hello,

An another Mirror question ? are they anyone to know or have information on this smalls rectangulars mirrors directly attached on the windows frame ?

Thanks.

Melon.28
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PostPost by: cliveyboy » Wed Sep 15, 2004 6:42 am

Try Holden
<a href='https://www.holden.co.uk' target='_blank'>https://www.holden.co.uk</a>
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PostPost by: types26/36 » Wed Sep 15, 2004 7:12 am

Could be wrong here but I dont think any Elan (including +2's) had a door/wing mirror fitted as original equipment, :unsure: I think it was an extra and was up to owners to fit what was available at the time. The bullet mirrors were a popular choice and the Desmo wing mirrors an other. I second the comment about not drilling untill you are sure you can see, my PO fitted a bullet type to the wing/fender and it was useless :( fit the bullet to the door and it works well. :rolleyes:
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PostPost by: type36lotus » Wed Sep 15, 2004 12:33 pm

I gave up on mirrors for my Elan Coupe'. I have fitted one of those little convex mirrors that attach to the inside of the front windscreen, drivers side only. Works pretty good, I can even see behind me over my shoulder out the rear windscreen. I of course would prefer a pair of real outside rearviews, but have not come up with anything that works AND looks acceptable. See <a href='http://nacarcare.com/autobahn.html' target='_blank'>http://nacarcare.com/autobahn.html</a>
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PostPost by: timliggins » Wed Sep 15, 2004 5:21 pm

I fitted my 1970 S4 with the type of mirrors found on MGBs, Midgets etc from the period. They work fine on the doors and come with a choice of wedges to set the angle to the bodywork. Got mine from MG Owners Club
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PostPost by: bvt » Wed Sep 15, 2004 10:26 pm

Mirror Mirror on the wall....

Internal mirrors, the MG one is ok if you just want a mirror to attach to the spoke on a DHC but they are not the correct one, these are unobtainable, i do however have a few very good Repro ones I may part with at a later date.

External mirrors non as std but as stated many peeps fitted bullet types or Les Leston ones on the door.

S4 DHCs also had a Ford mirror that was stuck to the screen after Lotus decided the spoke mounted mirror wasn't very good.
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PostPost by: poiuyt » Wed Sep 15, 2004 11:00 pm

I have one of those black F! type mirrors on the driver's door, installed by the previous owner. It doesn't really adjust enough to see well.

My question: the door is very thin at the top of the door - how do you mount the mirror? On a metal door I'd just use a sheet metal screw, but this won't work here. I don't want to pull the screws to check because I'm afraid I won't be able to get them back in.

You cannot get to the inside of the door in that area without removing the window mechanism.

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PostPost by: elancoupe » Thu Sep 16, 2004 12:00 am

I have Talbot chrome bullet mirrors on mine. They are the type which is made to work on fiberglass, they have a "U" bolt which is inserted through the door, then the mirror base from the inside of the door. This helps "spread" the load a bit. No cracking in 20 years of service, knock on wood.

The passenger side mirror is useless in terms of functionality, but personally I never liked the looks of the car with just one mirror.
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PostPost by: Hamish Coutts » Thu Sep 16, 2004 4:29 pm

Guys,

This is a good site for classic bits. Give them a call, they can offer all sorts of advice on the correct bit for a certain year.

Regards,

Hamish.

<a href='http://www.s-v-c.co.uk/' target='_blank'>http://www.s-v-c.co.uk/</a>
also
<a href='http://collectorscarparts.com/' target='_blank'>http://collectorscarparts.com/</a> - an amazing Aladdin's cave
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