S1 Interior Mirror Query

[Mazzini]

The early mirror seems to be very rare; in my opinion S2 S/E's were fitted with an expensive Lucas mirror (something similar was fitted to E-types and Astons), these mirrors come up on eBay quite often, but at a price.

[Quart Meg Miles]

Mine must have shrunk in the damp, it's only 152 mm long (and I am talking about the mirror) which in English makes it 6" x 2 1/8" and a little under 5/8" shell depth (15 mm).

[AlfaLofa]

Success

I've got hold of an original S1 mirror.

It measures 152mm by 54mm and judging by the 10mm square of residual paint it was originally painted in drab olive.

It was very rusty - but the smoked glass is good for its age.

After de-rusting and etch priming I decided to paint the mirror matt black - which is more in tune with the interior of my car.

[Quart Meg Miles]

Very nice, Steve, keep that ball joint lubed.

[nomad]

Looks good, Steve. My S1 is matt black and original as well.

Kurt
26/3754

[Mazzini]

I like the before and after pictures of the mirror and your thumbnail

[AlfaLofa]

Yes - I'm pretty pleased with the result (considering what it looked like).

There are still a few blemishes - but what the heck.

And I'll grease that ball joint.

Hi Kurt - has the short-shaft cable turned up yet?

[nomad]

Yes, Steve, I've got the cable and thank you. Been busy and, so far, have spaced off sending your other one back!
Will get to it though since we have had nothing but rain lately and it sound's as if it is going to continue. Hope the weather is balmy in N Scotland!

Kurt.

[AlfaLofa]

I bought the bottom mirror on eBay (before I hunted down the original rusty S1 mirror).

It's has taken 14 days to arrive

It's chrome - but otherwise identical to the Elan mirror (excepting the mounting stem).

It came from a 1962 Ford Consul Classic.

So perhaps the mirror fitted to 796 TAR (first post of this topic) was indeed chrome ??

I will now try to find a suitable stem.

But it does suggest that Elan mirrors were manufactured (by Tex) for Ford of England.

[AlfaLofa]

My first post in this thread shows 796 TAR with either a chrome or a silver painted rear view mirror.

I managed to find an original mirror for my car - and then I began a hunt on eBay for a second mirror.

I bought a chromed mirror - identical in all respects except for the stem - which came from a '62 Consul Classic.

I sent the mirror to a restorer/fabricator to have a new stem made.

Results can be seen in the photos.

I hope to get the mirror back shortly!!

[Ianashdown]

:D Success

I've got hold of an original S1 mirror.

It measures 152mm by 54mm and judging by the 10mm square of residual paint it was originally painted in drab olive.

It was very rusty - but the smoked glass is good for its age.

After de-rusting and etch priming I decided to paint the mirror matt black - which is more in tune with the interior of my car.

Just took the mirror off my ‘66 S2. It looks very much like your before picture! The mirror glass is perfect however so the housing is definitely going to be refinished. Mine has a small patch of paint that looks like it dark grey, almost a gun metal. I’ll be looking for something to match after sanding off the rust, zinc primer etc.

What about the stem? Mine appears to have no finish, it seems like dark natural zinc. Should I try to polish the stem or leave it as it is? I’ll have look at the screws to see if the heads can be polished or need to be replaced.

Photos to follow.

Ian

[elanfan1]

Ian,,

Sorry if you didn’t know but Alfalofa (Steve) died several years ago, hopefully someone else will reply.

Cheers

[Ianashdown]

I didn’t know. Apologies to all.

Ian

[Ianashdown]

I spent a little time cleaning the mirror so I could get some ‘before’ pictures.

With a little flexing it was apparent that the mirror was not well attached, so I worked a little to get it out. The original color is revealed! Easier to restore and repaint like this.

It’s a small part, but there are no unimportant parts in a full restoration. I’ll try to find the right color paint tomorrow.

Ian

[Quart Meg Miles]

I have a not that Steve died in 2015.

Here is a picture I took of my original mirror ten years ago before I "repaired" the break between ball joint and support. It hadn't been fitted for decades so the colour is fairly true.