Vitaloni Mirrors for S4 SE - Original vs Repro
Posted: Mon May 28, 2018 10:44 pm
My 69 Federal S4 SE DHC originally came from the factory (I picked it up myself) with a Vitaloni Sebring Mach 1 side mirror on the drivers side only. Sometime in the 70's or 80's the mirror glass got broken. A car collector/racer friend then gave me another complete Sebring mirror, said to have come off a Ferrari. It was an identical match to the Lotus installed Sebring original. That "Ferrari" mirror is what is now on the car now, for the last 30 years or so. But, I do have the original broken mirror still.
I was considering putting a mirror on the passenger side so I ordered a new "Vitaloni Sebring" mirror (convex). While looking similar, the new Repro mirror has a rolled front edge and is larger overall as well, as shown below, compared to my original (with the broken glass).
"Ferrari" Sebring replacement (original shape) on the car:
Since I don't want mismatched mirrors (if I do decide to put the passenger one on), I either have to purchase another new Repro for the driver's side, to match, or fix my old, original by putting new mirror glass in it and use it on the passenger's side.
The other thing that is different with the Repro is that the offset stand is a separate piece (additional cost) while the one on my car is integral to the base. What I don't remember is whether the integral base was from my original mirror or the "Ferrari" replacement.
I also wonder if I can place the passenger side mirror, which is already quite small, such that that it is particularly useful or not. Or just rely on looking over my shoulder as I have for the last 49 years in my Elan. I just have become used to having a passenger mirror as used standardly on most cars. A passenger side mirror is particularly useful here in the States where you can be passed (overtaken) on the passenger side ("undertaking") on a multi-lane freeway, generally frowned upon (illegal?) in many other countries.
On our US "free-for-all / anything goes" freeways it would be nice to be able to keep tabs on the passenger side lane without craning one's neck all the time.
I was considering putting a mirror on the passenger side so I ordered a new "Vitaloni Sebring" mirror (convex). While looking similar, the new Repro mirror has a rolled front edge and is larger overall as well, as shown below, compared to my original (with the broken glass).
"Ferrari" Sebring replacement (original shape) on the car:
Since I don't want mismatched mirrors (if I do decide to put the passenger one on), I either have to purchase another new Repro for the driver's side, to match, or fix my old, original by putting new mirror glass in it and use it on the passenger's side.
The other thing that is different with the Repro is that the offset stand is a separate piece (additional cost) while the one on my car is integral to the base. What I don't remember is whether the integral base was from my original mirror or the "Ferrari" replacement.
I also wonder if I can place the passenger side mirror, which is already quite small, such that that it is particularly useful or not. Or just rely on looking over my shoulder as I have for the last 49 years in my Elan. I just have become used to having a passenger mirror as used standardly on most cars. A passenger side mirror is particularly useful here in the States where you can be passed (overtaken) on the passenger side ("undertaking") on a multi-lane freeway, generally frowned upon (illegal?) in many other countries.
On our US "free-for-all / anything goes" freeways it would be nice to be able to keep tabs on the passenger side lane without craning one's neck all the time.