Hi fellers, Are there and GOOD LOOKING aftermarket mirrors for U.S. 328s that replace the non-artistic, line-ruining flag mirrors? One thing that makes the Euro cars look so much better is that the mirrors flow with the curve of the body; the U.S. mirrors, by contrast, look almost like some kind of alien contraption that have been stuck on as an afterthought. Any help/advice you can offer would be appreciated. As a final note, I do not wish to do anything to the car that cannot be relatively easily changed back. Thanks, Scott
If you like the look of the Euro, the obvious option would be to buy used euro mirrors for around $1K for set. A cheaper option is to buy the Vitaloni Baby Turbo mirrors for around $100/pair. This is what I did for my 308QV. They look very close to Euro(same manufacturer), but are not electric, and they required me to make an adaptor piece between the mirror and door. The threads in the door are a standard metric M4 X 0.7 or M5 X 0.8 I forget which, but it means you can easily remove and replace mirrors at anytime.
Hi Chris Thanks for the imput. When you say "adapter piece", can you be a little more specific? Unfortunately, fabricating parts is not my strong suit. :-o Also, where might one fine the origininal Euro mirrors? I'm guessing one of the "ferrari parts stores" on the web? Thanks again, Scott
Scott, I really don't know where to find a euro set. I have seen them on ebay, which is were I got my price estimate, but you might wait 12 months before one shows up again on ebay. Yes, the adaptor takes a little effort, but I still think having a machine shop make 2 for you could be a lot cheaper than a euro mirror set. I wish I had kept the dimensional drawing of mine. It is a piece of aluminum, shaped to the contour of the car on one side and matches the mirror bolt pattern on the other, then painted black with a thin gasket on the car side. I think is looks really good, but to make it look factory, you really have to use or have a machine shop. I'll try to take a picture in the next week.
Check out the Vitaloni Californias. Thats what I have on my QV, so I assume they would fit similarly to a 328. I can post photos of mine if you like, but I am sure someone here has a 328 with the Vitalonis. It did leave a mounting hole as the two are not 100% compatible, but I had that filled in and repainted, which works. Something to consider.... PDG
Thanks very much, fellers. I will consider your insights, and any pics you or anyone else has pursuant to all this would be much appreciated. My best, Scott
This question recurrs every 6 months, and I follow them being interested myself. Dandy_Don posted pictures of a 1985 911 Porche mirror set which I like. These looked alike the Ferrari flag style to pass without close examination as original. It required a new set of holes for a very substantial mounting bracket. One problem with the Ferrari mirrors is the floppy nature of the mounting. An slight hit would easily dent the door panel. Also, they are available (junk yard) for about $300 per set with switches. Here are the pictures and original thread - read it all but find Dandy_Don on page ONE and his pictures on page TWO http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=242775 ___________________________ http://www.FerrariDiagrams.com
Waz, For what it is worth I also think the flags are a miss. My neighbor has his Corvette apart for some re-work and I borrowed one of the side mirrors just to see what it would like and holding it up on the door it looks like it belongs, IMHO. I am planning a re-paint so my mod will be adding the Vette mirrors to replace the flag and give me right side view capabilities.My memory is down to about 1GB lately so I don't remember the year but I think it was a late 70 or early 89s Vette. hiding in the woods, TJ
Here are some pictures of the Vitaloni Baby Turbo mirrors mounted on an 83 308QV. Note the adaptor plate. It's curved to fit body on one side, and flat on the other to mount the mirror. It looks large, but it has to be pretty big to cover hole that the factory mirror wires go through. Plus, it has to cover the two 4mm screw holes, which I think were 140mm apart. Notice that only one screw is visible on plate. This is about as good as I could do with my machining abilities. Also, unlike some of the others on this thread, I didn't have to fill holes and paint the factory holes, although that probably would look better. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Hi Chris and others... Thanks so much for the pics; you did a great job! However...I know that I don't have the expertise to do this, and would likely need to pay a good chunk either to have it done your way...or even more to have it done with a a re-paint and so forth. I'll have to ponder the whole mirror thing a bit more. Again, many thanks, though. Scott
