Keith Nock Posted May 3, 2021 Report Share Posted May 3, 2021 I am thinking of fitting door mirrors to my Mk3 GT6 . it has an overtaking mirror on the quarter light frame but I would like to replace this with a pair of the later spitfire BL oblong ones like I had on my spitfire but am wondering about the correct position as it has quarter lights unlike the spitfire, does anyone have photos and fitting dimension's for drilling Regards Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badwolf Posted May 3, 2021 Report Share Posted May 3, 2021 Keith - You need an assistant to move the mirrors to the best spot for you while you sit in the drivers seat to view. Put masking tape on the doors roughly where you think is best and get your assistant to carefully mark your best spot. Do NOT do what I did, which is find the best place on the driver's door and transfer the measurements to the passenger door for symetry. Looks nice but the passenger door mirror is too far forward. This is for a MkIV Spitfire by the way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted May 3, 2021 Report Share Posted May 3, 2021 its a sure way of having a door full of holes used to call it the pepper pot method if you cant get an assistant get a right big dob of blue tac and double check as BW says its so easy to get it very wrong wise move to not be tempted by bullet mirrors ....passenger side is quite useless Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith Nock Posted May 3, 2021 Author Report Share Posted May 3, 2021 Thanks for the tips .Will do as you say and get an assistant to help. next is do I go for chrome or black mirrors, door handles and bumpers chrome but top wing finisher black Also which is the best make to buy quality more important than price. Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted May 3, 2021 Report Share Posted May 3, 2021 club shop springs to mind pretty much all thats out there are all the same if talking basic and not extended eg like Stag etc. Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badwolf Posted May 3, 2021 Report Share Posted May 3, 2021 I also have chrome handles etc and black rear wing trim. I went for chrome mirrors. They look great. Got them off Fleabay (as ever) some time ago. I think that they are all much the same 'Tex' style, like these... https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/273192573427?fits=Model%3ASpitfire&hash=item3f9b8bd9f3:g:4nwAAOSwE2da63DI You also need them to be convex, not flat. Sorry, can't find which supplier it was, but they were very good (not that that helps you in this case). Out of stock to start off with but kept me informed every couple of days. Had a look around MGBHive looks familiar but not sure, sorry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith Nock Posted May 3, 2021 Author Report Share Posted May 3, 2021 Thanks for the reply's. I will try the club shop first in a week or two .I always like to buy from the club if I can, as they say use it or loose it Regards Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger K Posted May 3, 2021 Report Share Posted May 3, 2021 You might want to think about making up some metal retaining plates for the oblong door mirrors. These are a 'lozenge' sort of shape, with sloping ends. As you tighten the mounting screws, the plate acts like a wedge and holds the mirror rigid. The modern ones are now made of plastic (or cheese) and are pretty useless, leaving wobbly mirrors. If you get a bit of steel bar, and cut and file to shape, then make a couple of holes and tap them, you can have nice, firm mirrors like they always used to be! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badwolf Posted May 3, 2021 Report Share Posted May 3, 2021 I agree with Roger. If, I eventuall get the door repaired, I intend to do something along those lines making sure that the plates are well waxed to prevent rust especially around the holes. I will also take the opportunity to resite the passenger door mirror. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted May 4, 2021 Report Share Posted May 4, 2021 and to add i used rivnuts in the door as the plastic rawlplug idea on the plastic base are pretty useless and agree the old ones are best i guess the change to plastic wobbly is to enable impact removal should you whack a pedestrian I would sooner give them a good smack and keep my mirror Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeteH Posted May 4, 2021 Report Share Posted May 4, 2021 Currently re-fitting the doors to the refurbished shell (13/60). Worth making up some Internal backing plates and bonding them to the inside?, whilst I still have full access?. I have some 3mm Galvanised I could use?. Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gully Posted May 4, 2021 Report Share Posted May 4, 2021 The other clanger to avoid is positioning your door mirror so you can't fully open the quarterlight! I must sit taller than the PO who fitted them and the additional tilt back on the mirror means the driver's quarterlight fouls it. Passenger side is mounted in dimensionally the same position on the door, but the quarterlight clears it. Gully Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted May 4, 2021 Report Share Posted May 4, 2021 1 hour ago, PeteH said: Internal backing plates and bonding them to the inside yes pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeteH Posted May 4, 2021 Report Share Posted May 4, 2021 1 hour ago, Pete Lewis said: yes pete I was going to thank you. But My "reactions" Limit is on for to-day. What`s that all about then?. Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted May 5, 2021 Report Share Posted May 5, 2021 well you asked if you should add reinforce plates and i said Yes does that work ??? PL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badwolf Posted May 5, 2021 Report Share Posted May 5, 2021 Also something to watch out for if fitting mirrors to a soft top (Spitfire in my case), is to check that the mirror isn't in the way of fitting a tonneau cover. The buttons may be ok but remember that the cover has an overhang of about 1" which could be a definite problem if the mirror is too close to the button If you bond a fixing plate inside you will have to be very careful to remove any cavity wax or similar and clean off any residual grease etc. Reapply it well after fitting the plate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Truman Posted May 5, 2021 Report Share Posted May 5, 2021 Be a little careful with the mirror anchor plate my daughters original Sprint around 1994 was so equipped it distorted the sound proofing on the inside of the outer door skin trapping water and we got a rust hole about 2 by 1.5 in where the mirror was mounted on the door I had to cut it neatly out and fit a replacement part perfectly fitted in then sandwiched by an inner piece of steel and a modified mirror plinth, stood the passage of time well! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith Nock Posted June 6, 2021 Author Report Share Posted June 6, 2021 Well finally bit the bullet and fitted them ,found a set I bought 14 years ago in my spares box Spent a few days trying different places to mount and think I have found the best place for vision and not obstructing the 1/4 lights opening. went out and bought a 17/64 HSS bit to get a snug fit and once drilled touched up the holes with a little etch primer with a paint brush. I think they look good Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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