Attaching Mirrors

[chicagojeff]

Hey all,
well, I've landed my first Elan. A 67 FHC. Arriving tomorrow. Cant wait. I know it needs mirrors, so I ordered a set of the simple flat ones from Moss Motors. Looks like you just drill a hole through and bolt on the reverse side (after taking off the interior panel I presume). Any advice on positioning, drilling, or removing the panel? There is no hole yet. Thanks all. I'm sure I'll be questioning up a storm on this site. Time to join up! Jeff

[types26/36]

Jeff,
Congratulations on getting a car, I suggest you use the search facility to check the previous posts as there has been a few posts about mirrors, just be very sure you can see BEFORE you drill the body.
Brian

[archigator]

Careful that you don't drill through the door into the glass, and careful that your bolt is not too long that it scratches the glass when the window is raised.

Gary
'71 Elan Sprint Coupe

[ElliottN]

Have fun.
Make sure you fit the mirrors with the largest flat washers you can inside the door panel to take the stress off the fibreglass where you've drilled through. Copper washers are good as they will give a bit to any curves where you bolt on.

[chicagojeff]

this may be easy, but since I dont have the car in front of me...how hard is it to take the door panel off? thanks all.

[twincamman]

i mounted mine on the fender to avoid constant vibration from closing the door -- check the position as you may drill into a boxed area e mail me for a pic -- ed

[1964 S1]

Greetings, as wonderful as this forum is, I strongly suggest getting a shop manual. (before removing the door panel to drill holes in your door for a mirror mounting) Did you buy a car with no exteior mirrors?

[twincamman]

did you get a black nose badge on it?--ed

[mac5777]

I made the mistake of drilling holes in my spitfire for new bullet mirrors and after installing them found out that they did not adjust enough to see the traffic. So on my elan I did not make the error again. Where ever you mount them, fender or door, have a buddy hold them and make sure you can see, both sides, before mounting. If I had the option of door or fender, I would use the fender. and a 4 inch mirror. My 2 cents!!!
67 elan coupe LHD
Door mounted

[pereirac]

What about getting a pair of 'clip on' mirrors which clip to the window frame, that way you don't have to drill the body?
My Elan never had wing mirrors (like a lot of cars that age).

It would be a shame to drill either the doors or the wing to fit something the car never originally had

[twincamman]

another option are small formula car mirrors from pegasis--------mounted on the window frame-----I have a set in my super 7 AND THEY WORK A TREAT ---would use them on the elan but the holes were there --but then again -- whats behind you is not important-ed :unsure:

[DrEntropy]

Have a "baby" Talbot (no "French" jokes, please! The Walpres is on the MGB;) onna drivers' side door, 1.5" down from window trim edge (S3, electric window lift) to centre of mirror plinth, and 1.5" back from leading edge of the door to the front of the plinth. Has worked well for me for decades. Backed it with an aluminium plate (.040" "custom made") inside, and a pair of "fender washers." No stress cracks, no interference. There are a few "look-alikes" today which will work just fine as substitutes.

[type36lotus]

I used one of these <a href='http://www.properautocare.com/autobahnmirror.html' target='_blank'>http://www.properautocare.com/autobahnmirror.html</a> as I did not want to drill holes. Also from asking about mirrors on this group many said you cannot get enough adjustment on the passenger side door mounted mirror to make it useful. With the little autoban mirror I can also see behind me over my left shoulder (US driver here).

[mac5777]

Mike, how did you solve the passenger side problem? It appears it is just for the drivers side. Do they make a right side mirror? From time to time I do move to the slow lane and need that passenger side mirror. And what is your ID picture?? My mind will not focus on what i'm seeing.
67 S3 Coupe'

[type36lotus]

I guess I get to use the same response given to me. I turn my head. I really could find no passenger solution that worked well all have a pretty limitied view. so I pretty much gave up and turn my head. On my FHC it is easy to look out the corner of the rear windscreen.