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MG MGA - Installing Fender Mirrors

I have a 1959 MGA 1600 that has a funky mirror on the door that is not original. I would like to replace it with fender mirrors, one on each fender. Does anyone have the measurements as to where to place the mirror so that it is correct and that I can actually see out of it?
MKB Michelle

My MGA is a 1600 from 1960 with fender mirrors. The measurement from the wing front edge (behind headlight chrome trim) is 44cms to the hole position and is at wing high point. I guess that the wing high point is easiest to find by placing a straight edge between the 2 wings, where it touches is the highest point.

However I have to admit that the view is less than perfect as they are quite far away and small, so have installed a small mirror which clips to the side of the windsreen frame on the inside. Between this and the original mirrors I get a good picture.
Also the wing mirror adjustment requires 2 people or lots of exercise to get the right position!! As they are stuck out on the wing they tend to get knocked when parked.

Hope this helps.

Neil
Neil Purves

Don't put them on the fenders:
1. Viewed area become tiny and therefore has safety implications
2. They get in the way when doing any engine work
3. They get knocked out of ajustment easily
4. It's very hard to adjust the passenger side on your own
5. The passenger side view invariable gets blocked by the rear view mirror
6. It spoils the lines of the car.

Putting them on the doors gives:
1. A bigger field of rearward view (simple physics explains this) and therefore greater safety
2. Protection from being knocked out of adjustment
3. Ease of adjustment from driver seat
4. No obstacle in bonnet area
5. Keeps them out of sight in terms of car aesthetics
dominic clancy

As form follows function, I use convex mirrors 15 inches ahead of the windscreen posts. Lots of good reasons. See here: http://mgaguru.com/mgtech/accessories/at103.htm
Barney Gaylord

Dominic / Barney

I would say that the forward mounted mirror position is okay as long as the mirrors are adjusted correctly. The view is not so bad and there is not really a blind spot.

On the other hand, if knocked they are as useful as a chocolate teapot.
I am thinking however that there is probably a way to adjust back to the original position using a lazer pointer. Hmm. Experiment time coming up!!

Neil
Neil Purves

DON'T DRILL HOLES IN YOUR LOVELY WINGS (FENDERS)
Have a look at http://mgaguru.com/mgtech/accessories/at103c.htm
P Parmenter

Wing (over the wheel) mirrors on my Magnette are excellent even with flat glass. They do need to be set up correctly, and don't get knocked unless I have to lean too far into the engine.
I don't have them on my MGA because I think they spoil the line, and so do door mirrors.

MKB, if you would like to put them on, rather than give specific measurements, they should be central to the wheel longitudinally and on the highest point of the curve of the wing laterally.
Dan Smithers

Definitely a vote for convex mirrors. They give a much better field of view. Mine are placed slightly to the rear of center above the front wheel opening. Maybe 2/3 back from the from the leading edge of the opening. Any further forward and the passenger side (right side) gets in a blind spot from the dash mounted rear view mirror. This is where the factory rally cars mounted theirs. Take a look in some of the books. I find them to work very well in this loction and they are in the swept area of the wipers in case you are driving in the rain (or snow?)

They do get "readjusted" in parking lots and the garage. The convex mirrors are much more forgiving and can be coarse adjusted from outside the car once you learn the correct position.

They do present an issue with car covers that are not shaped for their installation. They are easy to install in this location. They are accessible without removing any mud guards or interior panels. And they are mounted in steel rather than aluminum as they would be on the door.


C Schaefer

My vote is DONT. Don't drill a hole anywhere. The hot rod boys have a mirror that will clamp to the windshield post if you must have a mirror. There are holes in my 58 roadster that are filled by useless mirrors and I hate them. If that car ever gets repainted the holes will be welded shut. I just wish the body guy that did it 18 years ago had listened and closed up the holes back then. Mirrors were a dealer add accesory they did not come standard.
R J Brown

Don't do it. You'll find that everything Dominic listed is true. Take a look at the Bob West windshield mounting brackets below. They are simple, relatively cheap and can be removed without leaving any holes. And you can adjust the mirror from the drivers seat.

Where are you in Florida - I'm in Bonita Springs.




Dan Barton

What will work on a Coupe? I also do not want to drill holes in the fenders.
Barry Sandman
Baz

MKB,

As you've read, there are many good, and all true, pros and cons for having side mirrors and where to place them. I drive my MGA and favor situational awareness while trying to maintain the intrinsic good looks of the car. Hence, my preference is to have at least a mirror on the driver's door in addition to the dash mirror, which tends to vibrate and reduce its usefulness.

When I took ownership of my 1600 MkII in 1969, when I was 16, the MGB was the "new" MG, and I thought the fender mirror on the "B" made it look like a distinguished sports car. Consequently, as my MGA had already lost its mirrors, at that time I purchased a pair of the OEM MGB mirrors at a dealer an installed them. I still have them on my MGA today, as they have historical/nostalgic significance for me. A photo is attached. I found that a mirror on the passenger's door was far less useful than placing the mirror on the passenger's fender (wing). If on the passenger's door, the driver must turn his/her gaze far from the front of the car, whereas if on the fender, that mirror can be positioned so that it is almost an extention of the dash mirror. The mirror does get in the way when working under the hood (bonnet), does take getting out of the car a few times to get it set properly, requires violating that lovely sheet metal, and, of course, lifts a car cover a bit. However, it will stay in place - at least until it gets bumped. It is useful though. And looks great too.

Steve



Steve K

Baz, on the Coupe you can fit a mirror to the vertical window frame bar between the side window and the quarter light. Moss has recently started selling these mirrors. See their catalogue. I also saw a mirror mounted to the edge of the front wing at a local show. Very neat. I've not idea where you can buy one but it looked great. See the picture that I took of it.

Andy


Andy Preston

Fender mirrors are GREAT! No, they aren't for everyone but neither are door mirrors or any other type. A quality mirror adjusted properly will completely eliminate blind spots. If your vision is not good, a door mirror may be easier to use.

Of six MGs I have dual fender mirrors on three of them (MGB, MGBGT, MGYB), single fender mirror on one (MGA), windshield frame mount on one (MGTC) and clip-on vent window type on one (MGCGT). They all work fine but I do personally prefer the wing mirrors.

Keep in mind also that the modern "Lucas" style mirrors are 1" smaller than the originals and the glass is not as high quality. An original Lucas wing mirror is worth its weight in gold for maximum visibility.

Here's are my pros and cons on fender mirrors...

Pro: Fender mirrors have no blind spot when placed and adjusted properly

Con: If knocked out of adjustment, it takes a couple minutes to get them just right again unless you have a helper.

Con?: Door mirrors get knocked out of adjustment as easily as fender mirrors, but are much easier to put back right.

Pro: Fender mirrors are just one of many period-appropriate ways to personalize your car.

Pro: Steel fenders are stronger as a mounting point than aluminum doors.

Null: Considering how much metal is replaced during a restoration, if someone wants to get rid of the fender holes in the future then it will be extremely easy.

Con?: My personal feeling is that door mirrors look too modern on a British car.

Null?: There is no difference drilling a hole in a door than in a fender, except that steel is easier to patch for a future owner.
Steve Simmons

Thanks Andy, I'll look into them both.
Barry
Baz

To throw another option into the mix, I mounted my mirrors on the front wings just ahead of the doors, about 1/2 way between the door and the windshield post. I used a flat mirror on the drivers side and a convex mirror on the passenger side. Visibility is very good. The mirrors are mounted on the stronger steel wings rather than the aluminum dor skin (easier to patch the holes if a future owner wants to remove them).



Andy Bounsall

For those of you that want fender mirrors without the hassle of them being knocked out of alignment check out the Tex website at http://www.texautomotive.com/classic_exterior_mirrors.html and scroll down to

MR109F
Flat Glass
MR109C
Convex Glass Viewmaster© Springback Wing Mirror
Polished Stainless
R1 Head - 115mm diameter
9 Stem - Base 32mm dia.
Hole - 16mm dia.

These are similar to the ones I mounted on my YT back in 61. Stems rotate about the vertical axis and are spring loaded. If someone knocks one out of alignment all you have to do is twist it back into rough alignment and it just pops into it original alignment.

HTH

Larry
58A
49YT
Larry Hallanger

I too have a set of Tex mirrors on one of my cars. They have never gone out of adjustment, even when I knock them pretty hard. See here: http://www.mgnuts.com/mgbgt
Steve Simmons

This thread was discussed between 04/01/2008 and 09/01/2008

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