TR2/3/3A TR3A Rear View Mirror

[71TR6]

I didn't think it possible but I was able to replace the mirror in my TR3A frameless rear view mirror. The old one was pretty ratty around the edges and I cracked it when I tried to reinstall it after refurbishing the mirror frame. I was unable to find anyone who sourced a replacement but I found a local glass shop that could cut me a mirror. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to get the 3/32” original glass thickness. He had 1/8” thick mirror material so I decided to try it and order one. I’ve attached an image so you can see the difference.

I figure I'd post to inform anyone who tries this in the future that to use the thicker mirror, I had to slightly straighten and then pre-bend the tabs over a piece of 1/8” steel to accommodate the thicker mirror. After sliding the mirror in from the side, I placed the mirror assembly face down on a piece of aluminum and gently tapped the back side of the mirror over each tab to peen each in a bit to retain the mirror. There isn't much of each tab holding the mirror but I was pleasantly surprised to discover the mirror was well retained and I didn't crack it in the process.

I hope this helps anyone who wants to attempt this in the future.

PS- I had to buy a square foot of mirror glass for the one mirror I needed so I had the glass shop cut duplicates and lightly bevel all the edges so I have a few extra. If anyone is interested in one, PM me.

 

[Snowkilts]

Many years ago I did something similar on my '60 3A.

I got a rear view mirror from a junkyard car for the replacement mirror and got a glass place to cut it using the old one as a template. It was one that has a lever that you flip at night to dim the headlights behind you. Now I can do this on my TR. It works quite well. I don't have a lever; you just move the mirror a bit until you see the dimmer set of headlights.

The mirror is quite a bit thicker on the bottom than the original. The existing tabs would not hold it, so I made a little bracket out of sheet metal and attached the bracket to the back of the mirror assembly with a couple of small sheet metal screws as shown in the potato quality photo. This has worked flawlessly for 25 years or so.

The silvering on the back of the mirror appears to be starting to corrode a bit. If I ever replace it I'll try to seal it with something.

 

[71TR6]

Great idea! I hadn't thought about using a junkyard mirror glass.