Here's Looking at Cha'

Hey All
What is your feeling on the install of wing mirrors on my 59 TR3A. As I'm completing body work, I should drill holes in the wings now for mirrors, if desired. My car had no wing mirrors (although it does have a radio antenna hole). For all you TR3 drivers, do you use your wing mirrors and if so, do you find them both useful? I don't want to add bling if it isn't useful when driving. Here are photos from the recent UBSCC meet, with some wing mirror examples for your enjoyment.
Pat


Gee, who's car is this??

I've got them on my car, and at times they are a pain in the butt, especially the one on the driver's side. It's too easy to knock them out of whack, and is a pain to set them right again...probably the easiest way is with someone helping you. When I purchased them, the passenger's side came as wide angle, like most cars come today. I'd like to try one of those on the driver's side also, as I think it would help. As it is, you really need something for side viewing. I've seen side view mirrors on TR3s mounted closer to the driver, and I think even on the windscreen stanchion, but personally, I think they look best on the wings. I also turned the mirrors up just enough to clear the opening of the hood, and that cut down on them getting whacked out of kilter.

So, maybe others who have them mounted elsewhere will post some pictures and you can decide from that.

Pat...I had them on my original TR3A back in college days. They seemed to always get bumped and could not use them. One day the drivers side got bumped hard enough to put a crease in the fender...so when I painted that car...off they came! Todays car has no fender mirrors...but I did find one of the mirrors that clips on to the side of the windshield frame. Goes on very easy with a allen wrench. I do like that mirror. Have it on when I do road trips all the time. If it gets bumped Bingo! can easily adjust from the drivers seat.
But again...its you car...do as you choose! Gil NoCal

I have them on the Herald, they look neat, but I needed to glue a round mirror on so that they would be even slightly useful. They do a better job at plugging the hole in the wing than seeing who or what is on the side.

I have convex wing mirrors on both sides. Very useful IMO, and worth the occasional hassle of having them knocked out of alignment. Especially helpful when trying to change lanes, and some huge SUV is trying to get high on my exhaust fumes (blocking the view from the center mirror or looking behind). I tried driving the TR3 briefly without them (it wasn't drilled when I got it), but quickly added them as I felt blind without.

FWIW, I believe Tex offers some "breakaway" mirrors in a similar style. The stem is spring loaded, so it (hopefully) will pivot harmlessly when the mirror gets bumped. But they were a bit pricy last time I looked, so I haven't tried them yet.
https://www.texautomotive.com/classic_exterior_mirrors.html
(Note that the "spring back" mirrors require a larger hole.)

Here's a shot of TS13571L (before I put the proper "small mouth" front apron on) already wearing mirrors.

If you add them, drill the holes before you paint the car

Hondo

When I got a respray the body guy welded up the hole for the drivers side convex wing mirror I had removed (he also thoughtfully welded up the holes for the rear TRIUMPH lettering). I decided to omit the mirror for awhile -- that was 12 years ago now.

https://www.tubechop.com/watch/428675

I do have a little clamp-on mirror that Moss used to sell that attaches to the windscreen stanchion.

Pat Great picts .
The mirror on the drivers side is useful. The mirror on the passenger side not so much, because in my driving position the rear view mirror on the scuttle blocks the passenger mirror. In my own opinion the TR3's look better with both mirrors. If you are going to the Scottish games on labour day weekend you can drive my car around and see for yourself Pat.

Dan,

I installed convex wing mirrors on my TR4A after the restore in the mid-80s which was my daily driver and I found them very useful and functional at least on that car.

Scott

I have one on my drivers side and can't say its very helpful and like the other posts is very difficult to keep it aligned. I cover my car in the garage almost all the time and inevitably move the mirror every time I take the cover off.

Pat --
Your sidebar claims CA as home. I believe CA law <span style="font-style: italic">requires</span> the installation of a driver's side mirror on your car. It needn't be on the wing, but it needs to be on the car.



This mirror is made by Keith Brown in Australia. I think a LHD version is available. More info is at https://www.tr-register.com.au/Files/forsale.htm. Scroll all the way to the bottom. Forum member, vivdownunder, knows the guy -- and may be able to help you score one, if you want.

tinman58 said:

Pat Great picts .
If you are going to the Scottish games on labour day weekend you can drive my car around and see for yourself Pat.

Click to expand...

Hi Dan
I work at the Pleasanton Scottish games every year. Is a huge amount of fun.
Hope to see you and hope to get a ride in a supercharged TR-3
Pat

Pat,

I have them on my 3B and love them. They work great and look great.

Paul

Never had them. I did buy two convex mirrors years ago, but doubt I'll install them for the same reason as mentioned above.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:]The mirror on the drivers side is useful. The mirror on the passenger side not so much, because in my driving position the rear view mirror on the scuttle blocks the passenger mirror. In my own opinion the TR3's look better with both mirrors. If you are going to the Scottish games on labour day weekend you can drive my car around and see for yourself Pat.[/QUOTE]<span style="font-size: 12pt"><span style="color: #003300">I agree with tinman58 on all accounts with an additional comment; The aftermarket convex mirrors from the big 3 are slightly MORE convex than the original Lucas ones. I was fortunate to obtain an original pair from a friends Morgan plus4 before he let it go back to the old country in a shipping container. The lesser "fisheye" effect is a considerable improvement when you compare the two side by side. I went the additional route of putting a convex lens in my scuttle-mounted rear-view mirror. Now all I have to do is paste a sign on my windscreen "Objects in the mirrors....."
FRank </span></span>

Hmmm. I think this pick says it all for me



This is after I beat the stretched out holes flat. It looked REALLY bad before I did. Until I am to deaf to hear traffic and too old to turn my head to look for it, I think I'll leave them off mine!

John