Original Mirrors, '72 Federal Sprint

[Evante]

Hi All,

Does anyone know the following:

1. what type of side view mirror's were standard on a '72 Federal Sprint?

2. if there was one on the driver's side or one on both sides of the car?

3. where they were placed?

Thanks in advance for your consideration.

Jay S.

[trw99]

Jay, the factory never fitted wing mirrors as standard. Instead dealers and importers provided them if required by the new owner.

It's conceivable that in the US certain States had a requirement for a wing mirror to be fitted in the early 1970s; I don't know. However, the attached 1972 factory press photo of a Federal Sprint indicates no nearside mirror. It would appear that this car has been fitted on the drivers door with a Vitoloni Sebring type mirror, though it is tricky to be definitive due to the angle.

Looking at the road tests carried out by US magazines, the Sprint and Plus 2S 130 all do have the same type of mirror as above mounted on the drivers door.

Tim

[steve lyle]

A driver's side mirror was a Federal requirement, not a state one, just like the Feds had emission requirements, seat belt requirements, etc.. So if the factory didn't fit it, then the importing entity (Lotus NA?) had to before selling it.

I have no idea if my mirror is original, but here's what's on my '72 Sprint. I have seen this mirror on other US Sprints, and I don't recall ever seeing any other type.

RD Enterprises sells what looks like a similar mirror, and they claim it was used on Elans, +2's, and Europas, select "Mirrors" on the left column: https://www.rdent.com

[tedtaylor]

only equipped on driver's side door. I have an original Sprint. the mirror is "plastic-chrome" housing with a triangular (but rounded off) plinth. hope picture helps somewhat.

[Evante]

Thank you all.

My car came with Sebring mirrors that I know were aftermarket. The passenger side one is placed in a position that is all but unusable. I was considering changing the type of mirror instead of repositioning the ones I have.

If the Sebring came with the car originally, then I am more inclined to stay with that mirror and just reposition it.

Thanks again,

JAy S.

[1owner69Elan]

As delivered to me at the factory July 9, 1969:
One Sebring Mach 1 mirror on the driver?s side only. Federal S4 SE DHC.

As per Ted Taylor?s Sprint above.

[pharriso]

Jay, it is my belief that the US distributors (Lotus East etc.) fitted side mirrors on Sprints to meet federal regulations. Driver's side door only. The mirrors were Vitalonis.

Kenny Mance's very original 0251K

This thread has more info - http://www.lotuselan.net/forums/viewtopic.php?f=36&t=42088 , but this is specific to the Federal S4 SE.

[saildrive2001]

I have never fitted any outside mirrors to my car but with the increase in traffic I am finding that it might be a good idea. I have been thinking if anyone has looked at using a camera system instead of mirrors? I would be interested in hearing any ideas as to how to achieve this.