Rectangular mirrors Thread- 1973-89 911's

[TRE Cup]

There has been several threads posted here on mirrors. Hopefully this can be a definitive thread to dispel myths and provide accurate information.

Please excuse some of my photo work and credit to Roninlb and smdubrovsky for their pix/ diagrams

Starting with the F series chassis Porsche fitted Round mirrors on the pre 73 models and on the RHD (UK version) cars. There was a "right side mirror"- meant for LHD cars imported to UK, but you would never want to install it on your car. Manufactured for VW, it was a paddle style in black plastic that did not match the other side at all ! So.. fugetaboutit on that wild goose chase (been there done it)

The 73 only mirror (LHD) was a small rectangular model. See these pics of a china made reproduction unit. Note on this model repro: They are available in left and right versions. Good news for us , right? Well, not really as the production process leaves some poor crimping around the glass- which also leaves some distortion of the shell too!
Unfortunately this is the ONLY one available for the time being. The importer has been working on getting the process correct with the factory producing them for well over a year. So if you want a accurately sized 73 mirror, this is your only option for a new part. There is no accurate time estimate on when the dealers (inc pelican i believe) will be receiving a "proper" part

[TRE Cup]

Part 2 The BMW rectangular mirror option

Now here is an option for those of you that still want a quality made mirror for both left and right on your cars, but not liking the the much larger 74-75 mirrors. The later BMW 2002 and early 320i had a very nicely made stainless mirror with light blue tinted glass. As you can see from the accompanying pics, they are just slightly larger than the oem 73 mirrors (on the right) and give a nice look once mounted. These have since lapsed from the BMW usa inventory so you can usually find them on e bay. prices have gone up recently as Porsche owners and BMW restorers go looking for them. Expect to pay about $30-80 each depending on the market and condition. They are available in left and right. .

[TRE Cup]

Part 3 74-75 Rectangular mirror OEM

These pics show the bright alloy mirror- fitted to the 911 and 911S in 1974 (912E in 1976) and the black (this one is a reproduction) unit fitted to the Carrera and 75 911S.
Note that the reproduction units are much better than the 73 repro, but nt 100%. But for the price, pretty decent

I've included pics of the bmw mirror for comparison on how much larger the 74-75 mirror is and a side by side with the 73 mirror. So far all of these mount with two screws each. Best to position them so you can access the back side for placing the fastening nuts and washers. The position is the same on the driver side from 1973-1975. The passenger side location is pretty much dictated by how you can utilize it when seated in the driver seat. Again there was no corresponding UK market version. Right mirrors being offered are reproduction
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[TRE Cup]

part 3- pic of 73 VS 75 mirror

[Evans, Marv]

I have a couple of rectangular mirrors I can put on my '69, but I'm thinking of going with a circular mirror. I notice PP (I think) has reproductions. Any comments on those?
ThanX

[TRE Cup]

Part 4 "Flag" mirrors

Starting in 1976, Porsche introduced an electrically operated mirror for the left side only. This was followed shortly by a right side version. Attached with a J hook clamping arrangement, the flag mirrors required a series of holes drilled into the door to accomodate the feet, the J hook (which is the tightening and clamping device) and a hole for the electrical cable to pass thru. Porsche also equipped these cars with a reinforcement plate that was pop riveted to the inside of the door shell. Without this plate, the thin skin of the door will tear as you try to tighten the mirror's J hook further and further- leaving you with messed up paint, torn metal, and a mirror ready to fall off!

The mirrors can be retrofitted to almost any year 911 door shell by purchasing the reinforcement plates Left side p/n 911 531 197 00 and Right side 911 531 198 00 from our host Pelican. The installation of these plates will require the removal of the inner door panels for access to inside each door. I am posting here a diagram that shows accurate placement for the passenger side (Thanks Ronin) The driver side - (for the time being, i have posted some pix - sorry for not doing a diagram- i also have a shop to run !)

The pics of the gold mirrors show the J hooks and slide in mounting pins that as cast as part of each base. You can also note that the passenger side mirror has a different thickness to the base mount- this is so it can be mounted in the correct position on the car and be useful to the driver.

*** NEVER mount the passenger mirror so it is symetrically installed to match the driver side- it would be useless to all but maybe your passenger ! ***

[TRE Cup]

left mirror rough measurements- see pics

more info to come later

[Par911]

Thanks Dave, this is great stuff!!

[TRE Cup]

The repro round mirrors are pretty decent. They have the correct stampings on them and a lot of detail. You would have to have an oem unit to compare the ever so slight differences.

a little more information with regards to the electrical on the flag mirrors. If your car came with one mirror originally, then you would have to purchase all new wiring and a crossover switch to make both mirrors work remote-electrically. This means the 2 harnesses in the driver's door, passenger door harness, plugs, and a cross over harness from left to right side of car, a cross over rocker switch < most cars after 73 had the metal on the dash already punched for a switch. You can feel it between the speedo and the clock when you push against the vinyl covering. Yes, this is not the original position that the factory used for the switch- that is located on the underside of the dash between the gas guage and oil combo guage. BUT it saves you a delicate operation of drilling, filing a rectangle there. You will have to extend the crossover connection wiring from the new left to right harness to reach the clock/speed position

You can forget adding any wiring and use the mirrors manually of course. Just push the glass GENTLY to the position you desire.

If you come across a mirror that flops around in the housing, you will need a new rubber housing base that incorporates the motors. You cannot buy the motors separately.

The electrical mirror bases and mirror glasses are not all the same.

From 1976-1986 the rubber base with motor part number is 911 731 027 05 or 06. I am pretty sure the passenger side mirror rubber base is 911 731 028 05 or 06- pet does not show it anymore !. the mirror part numbers can be either 911 731 035 08 or 07 with a convex one available under 09 suffix. no left or right here as they just swap over. This early set up is easily distinguished without having to disassemble the mirror. If the drain hole on the rubber base (should be pointing down) is round and approx 3 mm in diameter- you have an early style mirror. The glass is held in place by 2 posts and there is a trick in separating it from the base.

1) push the mirror left or right as far as the adjustment will let you.
2) with fingernails pry up on the edge of the glass
3) the resulting space will allow you to take a firm but narrow instrument (we use a flat blade screwdriver with no wider than 1/2" blade) and place it between the back of the glass and one of the 3 posts. NOTE: each post is glued into place on the glass and pushes into a plastic receptacle on the bases
4) Gently twist the screwdriver to pull the mirror away from the receptacle. CHECK with a strong flashlite to see that you are not separating the post from the glass. IF the post is separated from the glass, you can epoxy it back into place. The heating element may be broken, but you can salvage the mirror for fair weather use
5) with the mirror free from its three posts, disconnect the heating wires- no need to figure out if there is positive or negative- if it worked before , it will work again no matter how you hook up these wires. Note that you should use a pair of needle nose pliers to pull these sometimes stubborn connectors off

Late mirrors : From 1987- 91

The base part number is 944 731 027 (and 028 for right) 01 with the glass 944 731 035 02 or 04 with 03 being the convex version

no difference again on the glass for left or right. How do you tell you have late mirrors? the drain hole (again facing down) on the rubber base is oval. This oval is so you can access the mirror retention ring- It twist locks into place. By inserting a small screwdriver (approx 1/8" blade width) in this hole you can shift the ring to remove or install the glass. The motors on these use a little nylon geared ramp so be careful when pushing the glass around. They break easily

As you may have noticed the 944 part numbers, the question comes to mind "Hey Dave, can i use a 944 or 928 mirror on my 911?"
Well, Yes you can!
But you will need to purchase the corresponding 911 bases so they can be used on a 911. 911 731 241 02 is the driver side base . 911 731 242 02 is the passenger side base. with either you will also need the base gaskets Left 911 731 247 00 // Right 911 731 248 00 AND 2 each 999 218 021 02 screws, 2 each 911 731 263 00 J hooks

i forgot to post pix of one side's reinforcement plates fyi- here it is