Mirror Question.

Saffs · 12-30-2001, 07:34 AM

Anyone else on a '73 have a black mirror like the pic below? It's on my US spec '73.5 T. It appears a factory style satin finish. But I thought it should be a chrome for this year. If I remember correctly, even the 2.7s using this mirror should have been chrome or colour-coded to the body, prior to the fittment of the elec. mirror in '76.
Anyone any ideas?
Also, anyone got a carpet set, or parts of, in black for a pre '73. About two pieces need replacing as they frayed and are falling apart (the sill pieces on both sides). I like the *faded* original look of them and would rather replace with similar looking bits than new carpets throughout.
TIA

tobluforu · tobluforu's Garage

I'm pretty sure it should be chrome. You can buy those powder coated mirrors from performance products. I have them on my 72.

ex944T · 12-30-2001, 11:52 AM

Saffs, I'm fairly sure that the US spec cars used a stainless steel (not chrome) rectangular mirror in '73. UK spec cars still used the round Durant mirrors which I think suit the early 911 models best.

Andy Boyle(UK)
'69 911E

Saffs · 12-30-2001, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ex944T
Saffs, I'm fairly sure that the US spec cars used a stainless steel (not chrome) rectangular mirror in '73. UK spec cars still used the round Durant mirrors which I think suit the early 911 models best.

I agree, the Durant, looks best - and wasn't it used like up to '76 in the UK?
Can't understand why someone put a black mirror on the car when everything else is chrome looking....

speeder · speeder's Garage

Same reason people replace beautiful original mirror w/ $8.00 plastic "Tornado" mirror, put pinstripes, gold trim, curb-whiskers, etc. on cars. To "personalize".

pwd72s · 12-30-2001, 03:10 PM

Anthony...yep, stainless. But you're in luck...replacements are available. Or, perhaps the one on your car was merely painted? If so, what lies beneath may be what you want.

Saffs · 12-30-2001, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by pwd72s
Anthony...yep, stainless. But you're in luck...replacements are available. Or, perhaps the one on your car was merely painted? If so, what lies beneath may be what you want.

That's the real bugger of it, Paul, it's like a nice powder coated, pro finish to it.....
There's a swap to be done here, with someone who wants a *black look* mirror....

Fishcop · Fishcop's Garage

Saffs, I had one on my 69, definitely not original. I've replaced it with a Durrant 8 months ago. Not too expensive, maybe $50 to $60 USD. Pelican have them.

Cheers

pwd72s · 05:26 PM

Anthony, don't think anyone will be mad at you if you put a round mirror on a '73, but I have seen replacement square mirrors available as well. Keep the black one for e bay? Advertise it as a rare factory optional color, start the bidding at $250? (Just kidding folks!) Edit topic: Yep, Wayne lists both styles. Now to see if I can paste. http://pelicanparts.com/catalog/shopcart/911E/por_911E_exteri_main.htm 2nd edit: I didn't paste well, but just jump to the mirrors listing... Oil & water=Paul & computer

cegerer · cegerer's Garage

I'm looking at a photo in "Porsche 911 R-RS-RSR" that shows the first "1974" RS3.0 right after they finished building it in July 1973. It has a black 72-73 rectangular-style mirror just like yours! Regardless, I think all 73's came with the silver mirror.

pwd72s · 12-30-2001, 06:01 PM

And to beat the subject to death, has anybody noticed that the replacement square mirrors seem to be larger in area than the one the factory placed on my '72? I'm still trying to find out if the '73 mirrors were actually larger, or if the replacements were made larger because of some bureaucratic decree. I've seen RS mirrors identical in size to mine, and they were a '73 model. So honestly, I don't know...

Jack Olsen · 12-30-2001, 06:01 PM

I started out with a pair of the early rectangles (one OEM, the passenger side aftermarket). I didn't like how small they were (passenger side especially was practically useless). I switched to the 74 models' rectangle stainless one, which is slightly larger, and (in my opinion) much more useful. Looks the same, but both sides are available at reasonable prices.

pwd72s · 12-30-2001, 06:06 PM

"The first rule of Italian driving...what's behind you doesn't matter"...a quote from an old movie, one of the parodies of the cannonball. But, that was a DAYTONA, man...and I'm not talking MOPAR. For street driving in traffic? Jack did well...

ghanlon · 12-30-2001, 06:15 PM

saffs
FYI there is a photo of a 1972 911t cabriolet in the book Porsche Cronical on page 80 that has the same mirror as yours. Hard to tell if it was changed after the fact... looked through all the rest of my literature but its the only one I can find. Hope this helps.
gary

Superman · 12-30-2001, 11:31 PM

I've been thinking lately how much I'd like the mirror to be on the passenger front fender instead of the passenger door. I like being able to use mirrors without turning my head so far, but I don't know if there is a forward-setting mirrir option.

cegerer · cegerer's Garage

The only fender-mounted mirror I've seen was a 550 Spyder mirror on an early 911 (driver's side only). It was ordered from the factory by one of the astronauts. Looked pretty cool too!

Randy W · Randy W's Garage

Saffs, your mirror could be a black '74 model used on the 3.0 RS and other Euro 911s that year (maybe Ebay is a good idea!). It is larger than the '72-73 original model and is the same size as the replacement mirrors like Jacks. Both '72 and 73 originals (NLA), including the 2.7RS, were stainless and the same smaller size, Paul. Large Durant style was used on the UK '70-73 911 for both sides and available in that country until about '76. There is a new reproduction of the left small rectangular mirror now (as well as a right which never existed originally). The finish is shinier and construction is not as high quality as the originals, but it works for those that like the smaller look and can't find a really nice original .

Randy Wells

nick-moss · nick-moss's Garage

I have an original UK market brochure for the 74 model year, it shows a single chrome mirror.

Saffs · 12-31-2001, 10:18 AM

Thanks for the amazing help, everyone.
Funnily, my old car, ('75 911S 2.7, black look, no chrome) had a stainless steel Durant on it. Looked a little silly. I feel a trade coming on between me and the new owner of my old car - who is a very good friend too....

tobluforu · tobluforu's Garage

I have the original rectangular drivers side mirror(stainless), Remember, I have the "ricer look" going-no chrome. Any one want it. Or should i keep it in my closet and maybe someday it will be worth 300 bucks?