Why do some people put there left/right side mirrors out on the fender area? Also, some only put 1 (driver side).
Is there any authenticity/OEM homage involved with this or is it just a personal preference?
Where were they on the original 356's? Door right?
Zulu
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Yes...I agree. For me, out on the fender but up more toward the windshield looks the best. That is why I am asking, I know it is my car and I can put them where I want...but just wanted to know if there was a "correct" OEM location.
ZULU
Also depends on the mirrors. Aero look better on the fenders but Durant and Talbot look better on the doors. Try to get one for the passenger (or both) sides with the convex mirror glass.
A very long treatise on what I have learned about Speedster mirrors:
First, Tom is right.
But that's true about most of what he writes, not just the stuff about mirrors.
I think the aero mirror was designed to be positioned close to the driver (on the door), as its surface area is pretty small. When you move it way out on the fender, the angle of view gets so narrow as to be pretty much useless.
So usually, if only one is installed, it's on the door, close to the driver.
But if you put one on the passenger side door to match, you now have to turn your head too far to the right to look into it. The long, swoopy mount sets the actual mirror pretty far back. So, when they're installed on both sides, they're usually mounted on the fenders. Of course, this makes the one on the passenger side even farther away and even more useless than the one on the driver's side.
This long, swoopy mount issue could be why some people prefer the Talbot style mirrors and similar models. They're less problematic when mounted on the passenger door.
But there is something of a fix for aero mirrors. Sierra Madre (among others) carries a convex version of the glass - made in (OMG) Deutschland - which fits into the cheapo Chinese repop mounts. (The aeros are in two parts - the mount that screws onto the car and the mirror which is completely separate from the mount). The convex glass goes a long way towards making the driver's side mirror useable when mounted out on the fender. But the passenger side is still pretty much useless.
In my opinion, the aero mirror is one of the few doodads you can stick on a Speedster without screwing up the looks too much.
You see how opinionated we can get around here about something as dumb as a mirror?
Mitch - that's pretty dang funny! 
You see how opinionated we can get around here about something as dumb as a mirror?
No, no, NO! I'm right, and you're WRONG. Let's have a heated argument about it, where we call each other names, and act all superior and stuff.
This is, after all, the internet.
I'm feeling just half-dumb, I only have one mirror.
I've been installing side mirrors for 40 years....
OK Stan, if you insist :-)
If you can't rig mirrors on your doors to the point of using them for what they were intended for, consider "driving" your car on a trailer. I've got mine on the doors, both sides, 40,000 some miles in the last three and a half years...no incidents....rain or shine. I know....maybe not in the right spot for some of you, but they do work.
Seems like the best solution would be standard, door mounted mirror on the driver's side door and convex on the passenger fender.
Simply put...many, many years of reading 132-column software printouts, and then many more years of reading other people's dumb-ass reports on computer screens have left me with eyes which, un-assisted, can't see diddly between zero and four feet. At half a mile, I can easily read most of the script on the side of a race car, but up close.....forgetaboutit. My bi-focals don't help in this instance, because they focus at about 12" - 16" away.
If I mount the mirrors on the door, two things happen: 1.) I have to turn my head slightly to see mirrors (either one) and 2.) I can't see what's in it, anyway (beyond 20" begins to blur).
If they're mounted on the fender about four feet from my head, two different things happen: 1.) I can see the image in either one very clearly and 2.) I only have to move my eyes, not my head, so reaction time is shorter.
But that's just me, right?
Yup...I think the best thing might be what ever works for the driver .
I have mine of the doors, convex both sides. I wish I had mounted them further forward on the doors.
May I suggest no mirrors at all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (:
You mean just rotate your squash a little to see Stu???
Mike - Photo or measurement of your placement please. I have OEM stainless steel Durants ('65 356C) - they look best on doors - just not sure how far forward I can go.
The inner edge of my mirror is about 7 1/2" behind the back of the windshield post.
For OEM correct, it depends on the year. Most 356 replicas are based on 1955-57
Porsche 356A's which I believe had them mounted on the door at the factory.
I have a CMC and I wish mine were mounted on the doors so I could use them to see behind me. IMO, out on the fender they are worthless.
I'd move mine back to the door if I didn't have to repaint the entire car to cover the old holes.
For OEM correct, it depends on the year. Most 356 replicas are based on 1955-57
Porsche 356A's which I believe had them mounted on the door at the factory.
I have a CMC and I wish mine were mounted on the doors so I could use them to see behind me. IMO, out on the fender they are worthless.
I'd move mine back to the door if I didn't have to repaint the entire car to cover the old holes.
I also have a CMC, and my side mirror is located in the same location. I only have one on the drivers side. I'll assume a convex mirror won't help in this situation.
T
IF...if you intend to drive your car much, there will be a time when you'll wish you had your mirrors in the perfect spot so you can use them like they are intended for.
A two lane change, roof up, in the rain with various idiots around you who can see better and drive faster in the weather will have little sympathy for you. Think ahead lads, your insurance agent will thank you along with your relatives. Common sense applies here. Vanity might be better in second place.
I have the Aero mirrors which look like the OEM Porsche mirrors. Right side is convex thank goodness. Without that I'd see nothing on the right side. But seriously, have some one hold them in the two positions while you sit in the drivers seat and try to imagine you are on the road (not in your garage) and you NEED to see behind you. I really think if you mount them about 6 inches back from the front of the door, this will be your best visual location. Do this with the side curtains mounted. The mirror surface is small so the closer you bring it toward your eye, the more visability it will give you.
Convex mirrors on both sides plus angling the mirrors correctly can help.
Here's a photo of where mine are (o.k., it's also an excuse to look at my car outside and in better weather than we're having at the present):
There's a convex aero mirror on the passenger side & a flat one on the driver's side.
Until about 17 years ago, I adjusted side mirrors so that I saw the back corner of the car. This is wrong but everyone I knew did the same thing. I didn't learn the right way to do it until I met someone whose dad was really into cars and racing. In case some of you aren't doing this on your cars, this is basically what he said: http://www.cartalk.com/content/avoiding-blind-spot-5
Doing this dramatically reduces or eliminates blindspots. Having done this with the aero mirrors, I see cars coming up on my left and right as soon as they transition out of my rear-view mirror all the way until they're visible in the corner of my eye.
Ted,
Is there a reason not to put convex on both starboard and port sides?
Not that I'm aware of. Jack Crosby put them on both sides and recommends it. I just didn't do it because I'm cheap and was o.k. with portside visibility (or is it larboardside?) after adjusting the mirrors properly. I found the convex mirror absolutely necessary on the starboard side, however.
Zulu - FWIW, here is the mirror set-up on my VS;
I have only a driver side mirror located on the fender and fairly close to the windshield post (closer for better viewing from my driving/seat position and old eyes). Works well with or without top or side windows.
When I have my board in the car, I have a big blind spot on the passenger side (note mirror location on driver-side fender)...
...to address this blind spot without major undertaking, I McGuyvered an old suction-cup phone-holder with a convex mirror attached with adhesive tape...
...and apply when needed to a strategic location on my windshield. It gives me a look at what's on my right-rear quarter so I know not to pull into that lane...
...allowing me to continue as the most Guapo Hombre in all of Southern California!
...P.S. - It also works well with top up, windows on, and luggage on luggage rack!
Ted,
Is there a reason not to put convex on both starboard and port sides?
If you don't have mirrors mounted already, I can't think of any reason why you wouldn't use what ever set up works best. The reason I said 'one' was because I currently only have one mirror on my car. I don't want to put a second one way out on the fender, like the existing one. Putting a second one up where I feel they should be would look odd. I'd rather wait to install the second one after I get it painted... eventually.
T
Holy Moley -----Mirror Mirror on the Car who's the fairest of them all!!!!! (:
Sorry Zulu, I've been away for a few days.
Have there been any other opinions about mirror placement?
I once briefly owned a 240Z that was set up for Lime Rock racing.
The engine had to be stock but everything else was fair game: A fuel cell. Roll bar cage. Three point retrains with a quick release chest button...and a back crippling, kidney crushing suspension like my dining room table... Terrible daily driver!!
But it had a marvelous rear view system. Across the top of the windshield for a length of about 14" was a series of five flat segmented mirrors reflecting an undistorted panoramic view of everything between 3:30 and 8:30. Esthetically it might look odd-ball-ish on a speedster or spyder, but it certainly eliminated blind spots...and told the PO to which side Paul Newman's Porsche was making a move!
I have the Talbot Jr's on the door. Very good views both sides. They are painted to match the body with some chrome showing.
Marty -
BEAUTIFUL Car. Not to get off-thread (but I am), where did you get the pedal covers?
craig
Thanks Craig. Double check fitment over VW Pedals. They have many options. My setup is different. I also don't have the heal and toe lip.
http://www.rennline.com/Rennli...tinfo/P70.60/SILVER/
