Replacing Wing Mirrors

Sierra Madre Collection has reproduction mirrors they say are concours quality.

http://www.sierramadrecollecti...-356B-T5-p18328.html

The same with Stoddards.

http://www.stoddard.com/porsch...dy-trim/mirrors.html

Or NLA.

http://www.nlaparts.com/store/aero-mirror-p-1199.html

These are the places people who frequent the 356 Registry buy.

Agree with Robert they at least say MADE IN GERMANY vs Taiwan!

Wait, there are now two mirror threads running?

Just posted this on the other, but it relates to what Robert and Greg (Wolfgang) have said.

"Dunno if it's been mentioned yet, but you can get convex (wide angle) glass for the aero mirrors, from Sierra Madre (and others, I think).

If you already have the Chinese repop aero mirrors that VS supplies, this glass will fit them, so you don't have to buy a whole new mirror or drill any new holes. They used to be about $60, but that has now risen to $97 (yikes). This must be due to the current 50 per cent inflation rate we're all experiencing. There's some solace in the fact that these mirrors are much nicer quality than the Chinese repops.

I've got convex glass on both sides (mine are on the fenders). On the driver's side, it made a huge difference. On the passenger side, it's still pretty worthless, but does fill in some of what's usually called the 'blind spot'.

Small mirrors like these are really meant to be mounted close to the driver (on the door). If I had to do it again, that's what I do. The farther a mirror is from your eye, the smaller the angle of view. That's why cyclists can use those tiny eyeglass mirrors to see pretty well behind them - they're mounted about an inch from the eye."

Mitch, I think he wants to replace his rusty originals from VS...

Try calling NLA/Stoddart, ( east coast number, notwest coast #) .  Though not advertised on their web site,  they used to sell just the convex mirror portion for about 25$... this way you don't have to worry about removing and preplacing the portion which screws to the car... just the one bolt that holds the mirror to the mirror mount.

http://www.nlaparts.com/store/...x-mirror-p-3106.html

they sold me two...

Contact # for convex aero-

1 (800) 438-8119

22.50$ in Feb 2015 Per mirror.

I can look up the part number if you need it.  sMC ALSO ISED TO SELL IT... but they charged 64$ . Part number--   1 - [SMC.731.002.05] Aero Mirror Glass, Convex, 356/356A/356B(T5) @ $64.95

After NNL sold me two for less than the price of one at SMC, , I returned the SMC one.

Looks like Vintage Speedster Parts (different than Vintage Speedsters) is out of stock on the Chinese Aero mirrors and the price is not being displayed.  My experience is that the the SMC, NLA and Stoddard mirrors are nice, but the Chinese are not bad if you take care of them.  Additionally, you can (at least could) buy two sets for the price of one from SMC, NLA or Stoddard.  Unless you want the convex version, just buy the Chinese ones if you can find them.  For the same price, you can have two sets, which will last  just as long as the mirrors from SMC, NLA or Stoddard.  After all, they are just mirrors and I doubt that you could tell the difference without looking for the made in Germany stamp on the back.  And, I'm sure the Chinese manufacturers have figured out how stamp Made In Germany on the back of things any how.  I'm just saying.

I have found that all of them rust much too quickly.

But the worst, is the rubber mount flange. My VS (both) cracked (all the way around) in less than a year and the Stoddard replacement (wide-angle/passenger) in the same amount of time.

Car is in a carport with side/end sunshade curtains and a thick Porsche cover.

and no, I didn't use Armorall...

Thanks everybody!  This is all helpful feedback.  I'm going to check cost and availability for all. 

Good to know that the 'good' ones rust about as quickly as the cheaper VS ones; but it may come down to availability.  It's northeast winter here; so I guess a few extra weeks doesn't make much difference.  Apart from getting it inspected and having a bumper replaced, I don't expect to have it on the road in the coming weeks...

Thanks again!

Justin

Also, check with Carey at Beck, I bought a pair from him.  He is a great source for parts!

James

Sacto Mitch posted:

 

Wait, there are now two mirror threads running?

Just posted this on the other, but it relates to what Robert and Greg (Wolfgang) have said.

"Dunno if it's been mentioned yet, but you can get convex (wide angle) glass for the aero mirrors, from Sierra Madre (and others, I think).

If you already have the Chinese repop aero mirrors that VS supplies, this glass will fit them, so you don't have to buy a whole new mirror or drill any new holes. They used to be about $60, but that has now risen to $97 (yikes). This must be due to the current 50 per cent inflation rate we're all experiencing. There's some solace in the fact that these mirrors are much nicer quality than the Chinese repops.

I've got convex glass on both sides (mine are on the fenders). On the driver's side, it made a huge difference. On the passenger side, it's still pretty worthless, but does fill in some of what's usually called the 'blind spot'.

Small mirrors like these are really meant to be mounted close to the driver (on the door). If I had to do it again, that's what I do. The farther a mirror is from your eye, the smaller the angle of view. That's why cyclists can use those tiny eyeglass mirrors to see pretty well behind them - they're mounted about an inch from the eye."

It is amazing how inflation is the blamed for everything and yet the actual inflation rate is so low the Fed was worried about deflation a few years ago. Also all these price increases do not seem related to wage inflation for workers. 

Sorry versed off into politics. 

Sierra Madre Convex takes the day!  Thanks everyone; I knew I came to the right crowd...

Now - who wants to debate inflation?

:-)