S1 Interior Mirror Query

[AlfaLofa]

I've been looking at a few pictures of S1 Elans trying to determine what the original rear view/interior mirror looked like. (Knowing Lotus there were probably plenty of variations)

The Elan of PDXjunkman appears to show a dark (matt black?) mirror:
lotus-elan-f19/few-photos-new-t21980.html

But a period photo of 796 TAR shows a light (perhaps chrome) mirror.

Both these mirrors look very much like those used on MGAs - albeit hanging rather than upright and all the mirrors appear to have asymmetric slopes on the back.

The bottom photos show chrome and stainless MGA mirrors.

Has anybody got a photo of a genuine original mirror?

[rodlittle]

Hi
I dont have a picture now but my 63 S1 has a fairly matt black mirror, with added rust patches round the rim.
As far as I know its orignal
hope this helps
rod

[Mazzini]

I have the same mirror in my S2, but it's painted dull grey. I believe the same mirror was used on Elites as well. MK14 Components sells a very similar replacement.

[Elanintheforest]

I believe that the picture you have of the front and back of the chrome mirror is a reproduction of the MGA Twincam miror....and that's the one you need.

The reproduction mirrors have the 4 tags to hold the glass in, where the originals had the whole rim squeezed around the glass.

Not too sure that you will find an original MGA Twincam mirror any more easily than an original Elan S1 one!

Mark

[cabc26b]

2 silver paint and one mat black - the mat black did not come to me on a windshield frame though so my suggestion would be to go with a silver paint - not chrome. hard-top car mirror is a lighter ( fresh) silver as repainted 5 yrs ago ( hard to see in picture) I would look at finish on dark blue for guidance.

George

[AlfaLofa]

Thanks for all the input.

So painted either silver or matt black/grey is what was "standard".

As well as the stainless and the chrome MGA mirrors that are available, there is also one which is painted gold - so this should be easy enough to repaint in a more suitable colour.

Mazzini - thanks for MK 14 Components lead. I'll send them an email.

[Quart Meg Miles]

Here's a picture of my S1? mirror, regrettably broken where the strut joins the ball joint which has seized up. The mirror itself is tinted neutral giving a bit of eye relief at night.

Steve, let us know what mk14components have got, including price, to save us spamming them!

[AlfaLofa]

Meg - excellent photo !!

Just what I was looking for.

I'll attach the photo to the email I'll send to Mk 14 Components.

[paddy]

FWIW mine looks the same as the Meg photo, except the colour is a matt grey/silver; almost a "galvanised" look.

Paddy

[Mazzini]

Here's a picture of my S1? mirror, regrettably broken where the strut joins the ball joint which has seized up. The mirror itself is tinted neutral giving a bit of eye relief at night.

Elan S1? mirror 106-609.JPG

Steve, let us know what mk14components have got, including price, to save us spamming them!

Same one on my S2.

[AlfaLofa]

I've been in touch with Mk 14 Components - and sent the picture.

Will's response:

"The original mirrors as shown in the picture are no longer available, though it is possible to get something with the correct hole spacing for the mounting in either a chrome or gold backed finish, these are usually about ?14.00 plus VAT".

So just the usual suspects as seen on eBay.

I will have to keep searching !!

[Mazzini]

I dug the MK 14 mirror out and put it next to the S2 mirror and yes, they are very different - sorry should have checked before I posted.

[AlfaLofa]

Mazzini - a great comparison shot.

Any chance of putting a tape measure along side the genuine item?

What annoys me is that I haven't a clue what happened to my mirror.

Here's a picture of the car in the early 70s - and it looks like the original is fitted here - albeit with one of the "wide angle" elastic mirrors attached.

[paddy]

I make it 154mm wide, 54 mm tall at the widest point.

Paddy

[AlfaLofa]

Paddy - thanks for the dimensions.