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BJ7 Mirror Placement

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Steve Huneck

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My BJ7 is an every day driver, well in Ontario ol' man winter defines every day, but I'm planning on fitting side mirrors to add a little comfort on the four lane highway. I've got a couple of questions. Although I think the mirrors look pretty cool way down on the front of the fender, I'm thinking they have to be a lot harder to adjust. Is the coolness factor worth the hassel of trying to keep them adjusted? I ordered two standard Lucas type mirrors from Moss, but should I get a longer mount if I decide to place them on the door? Should I be thinking about somewhere in between? I know this could be like discussing religion, but I'm looking for some experience and opinions.

Steve
 
HI steve, On one car I have the conventional fender mounted Lucas mirrors /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif. They are a bugger to keep aligned. On the other car I have period type racing bullet mirrors once set you do not have to touch them.Even when placing the car cover on they do not change their alignment.-FWIW---Keoke /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/driving.gif
 
Steve:

My BJ-7 is equipt with a dealer-installed Talbot Racing Mirror located about halfway down the fender on the driver's side. The dealer installed radio antenna mounted on the passenger side precluded installation of a complementary mirror in that location. So much for the cool racing attitude.

Anyway, I replace the mirror glass - I found that all parts were still available for the mirror - kept the original housing for the orginal patina; adjusted it once 10 years ago and has not budged since. In traffic it's been very reliable but a quick look over the shoulder is well advised. GONZO
 
I installed the same mirrors about even with the back of the spear. I found having them closer to the driver much easier to use.
 
Hi Gonzo, I have the factory installed Talbot units on one of my cars too.I have one spare and have been looking for one more to replace the pesky Lucas mirrors on my other car. Do you happen to know of a source.?? Keoke /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif
 
To All, Since we are talking mirrors ,in addition to the fender mounted mirrors when I am traveling I have a ski boat mirror attached to the top of and centered on the windscreen.This mirror gives me a panoramic view of the entire road behind me. Should I contemplate a lane change or sense danger I can concetrate on the proper fender mirror or take evasive action it has saved me more than once. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/yesnod.gif -FWIW---Keoke /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/driving.gif
 
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/savewave.gif
HI Mac, Same question where did you obtaain those mirrors??---Keoke
 
I have the bullet on the driver side about half way down the fender too and the same problem with the antenna on the other fender (no radio). My wife talked me into a suction cup mirror for the inside of the windshield so she too could see behind. It is quickly removable and has the panoramic view. I've learned to like it 'cause it makes parking and changing lanes easier. Cheap too. So until I am ready to repaint and fill the antenna hole this is great.
 
Steve,

My BJ7 had the Lucas mirrors mounted forward near the spears and they did get knocked out of position all the time and required a "reverse field of view" technique to get them adjusted by myself (get your eye ball in position next to the fender, look into the mirror and adjust until you see the sweet spot above the steering wheel/seatback). I also found that it was hard to really see much in the mirror with it so far away.

Anyway, with the BJ7 being restored, the mirror holes have been welded in (along with the antenna hole which is going away permently). I am considering remounting the mirrors much closer to the doors so that they can be adjusted from the cockpit. I have checked out a few Healeys with the mirrors close to the windshield pillar and the field of view is much better. There are also some mirrors that clamp to the side glass pillars which I would like to try out before drilling the fenders. Someone else mentioned the suction cup concave mirror which gets mounted near the top of the windshield. I've got one of those and they work well.

Cheers,
John
 
Keoke, I purchased the mirrors through Moss and thought the quality was pretty good. Also, mounting the mirrors farther back as I did, you don't keep hitting them while working on the motor. Mounting them up front over the front wheel well is just a pain when putzing around in the engine compartment.
 
OK Mac, thanks for the information.I need an additional "Talbot" unit, they were made in West Berlin -Germany, to match the one extra I have.---Keoke
 
Hi Keoke, here's some contact information on where to source original Talbot Racing mirrors and parts.

Gunther Hansele
Aardvark International
Cibie USA / Talbot & Co.
Ph 562.699.8887
https://www.talbotco.com

Gunther responded to my inquiries quickly, was knowledgable on the various types of period mirrors for our Healeys and other British marks - turns out that my Healey is equipt with a Talbot Junior Racing Mirror that I have yet to find on another Healey - and was very professional

Keoke, this contact information is about four years old so best of luck with the mirrors. Glad I could help. GONZO
 
Thanks Much Gonzo! I will attempt to contact them tomorrow. I have a set on one of my BJ8's and the heritage certification shows that they were installed at the factory as an option. A friend of mine found one for me at Hersheys some years ago but they are hard to come by.-Thanks ---Keoke
 
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