Pantera side mirrors

When I was looking for mirrors, I prowled all the photos of cars on the internet to get a taste of what others have done. Also strolled the parking lot at work to see what cars had interesting mirrors with a configuration that might work.

You have to decide whether you want door mounted or front quarter window mounted. The other choice is vintage style (chrome) or modern swoopy design. It is largely a matter of personal choice and how good you are at fabrication / adaptation.

I went with an aftermarket BMW M3 '95-'99 style. The flag is separate from the mirror so you can have the two tone effect shown in the photo below. There is some significant fabrication to make the flag fit the contour of the glass. Grinding off the mounting bosses and epoxy squeeze to pick up the contour of the glass.

I believe I have got the same or similar type of mirrors. However I had several individuals who told me those mirrors don't look right on the Pantera. I actually bought the camaro mirrors, but I also have mirrors that look like the Ferrari Dino. I can't decide what looks best.

I have two comments:

If showing well at a concourse type auto show is a goal, then the mirrors should be "period correct" as opposed to modern mirrors.

If showing well is not a goal, then there are many excellent modern choices, but one of the mistakes I see in regards to mirrors is using mirrors that are too large or draw too much attention to themselves. For instance there is one very expensive modern exotic car with mirrors that are so large they look like they belong on a full size truck, if they were air foil shaped the car would be capable of flight .

Mirrors should blend into the lines and color scheme of the car, they should be easily overlooked or ignored, or compliment the trim, they should never exist as a focal point. Some mirrors would work better painted flat black rather than matched to a bright body color.

There are plenty of old threads about mirrors. Selecting mirrors is a hot topic for many owners. Searching the word mirror in the coach forum turns up several interesting results.

-G

Two words.... Vitaloni Californians

Actually my '73 came with the Colt mirrors (electric on both sides) and on that car they are growing on me and do look period correct.

Julian

How do you mount the Colt mirrors?

quote:

Originally posted by captaintobeys:
How do you mount the Colt mirrors?

Like most that go on the quarter window they are glued on.

Julian

Dave2811,

Please show me a close up picture of your dummy vent behind the rear quarter window as yours appear not to be dummy. Did you make them?

Johnny

Johnny,

I think that is a shadow, but it does look like a vent in the pic.

John

quote:

Originally posted by Johnny Woods:
Dave2811,

Please show me a close up picture of your dummy vent behind the rear quarter window as yours appear not to be dummy. Did you make them?

Johnny

It is a stock piece. The lighting may be throwing shadows.

If that was a vent it would be great. Fabing it to go to a closed air cleaner. If you did both sides it might allow you to run a "L" closed piece instead of the open Pre-L screen.

Jeff
PS: The mirrors look awesome !

I have mirrors from PI. I like that they disappear against the tinted windows. I know you won't believe me when I say this is the closest shot of a mirror that I could find of my car.


Model Photoshoot 13 by ReverClothing, on Flickr

Yes, I agree that’s a very nice pair of mirrors!

quote:

Originally posted by Steeler:
Yes, I agree that’s a very nice pair of mirrors!

That car had Mirrors???

Wonder what those girls do, when they're not posing... Besides grooming themselves for the next shoot. Heard somewhere that girls like that look so "unobtainable" that they almost never are approached, guys are too shy to approach a girl that good looking. What a shame for them...

OK, a bit off topic, sorry.

I like the idea of opening up the gills to vent more fresh air into the engine bay. Mayby by cutting slits in the bottom of the gills and then fabbing a funnel-tube-like divice on the backside.
A nice and discrete alternative to the big airintakes - not sure how effective it would be, though.

Kritian

quote:

Originally posted by Joules5:
Two words.... Vitaloni Californians

One word...... Agree!

I made new side scoops for my car a couple of years ago. They work great. They supply air to my supercharged 4.6L.
Rick

Are there any options as to the nicest looking mirrors that should go with the Pantera.[/QUOTE]

I used testarosa mirrors on my car and am very happy with them. They extend out far enough that i don't really have a "blind spot" any more I also got rid of the little quarter window. The post for the window was always in the middle of the mirror so i had custom glass made and reworked the door to allow for a more modern one piece glass.
Rick

Those are some very nice scoops. You got the lines just right. IMO your scoops are much nicer than what is being offered on the market today.
Jay

I just wish I had a nice picture of them like RobertVegas has.

Rick,

I agree with Jay. Your scoops are great looking. I also think your mirrors flow nice with your car.

BTW - What material did you build your scoops out of?

Super scoops, I'd buy them if they were produced...

BTW - What material did you build your scoops out of?[/QUOTE]

I made them out of aluminum.

That's how they should have been made from the factory IMHO!

quote:

Originally posted by Rick R:
I just wish I had a nice picture of them like RobertVegas has.

Move to Vegas, we do shoots a couple of times a year. Here is my Porsche and my friend's Diablo:


Model Shoot 14 by ReverClothing, on Flickr


Model Shoot 15 by ReverClothing, on Flickr


Model Shoot 18 by ReverClothing, on Flickr

SORRY FOR THE HIJACK...I HOPE THE PICS MAKE IT WORTH IT!

I absolutely want a set like yours. I have been looking for a set, but they are all ugly and I don't know about putting the fuel filler back under the hatch. Hard to find shocks that hold it up during the winter.

I would like to compile a larger list of the side mirrors that have ben used on the Pantera. Here are Colt mirrors with spacers.

We've seen these on all most every body style offered.

This is a set of 430 Ferrari Mirrors

I am modifying this type of mirror that repositions it level and to a better rear visibility position.

Here it is with the extended mount towers ready to install on the new mount plates.

Test fit on the plate. The new plates will come with a new mounting system preventing adhesion failure.

Looking for more variety photos and suggestions.

I took the chrome bullet mirrors and powdercoated them flat black. There is only one problem; they need to be farther forward for better adjustment. I am going to have to tweak them a little to get the adjustment in range:

A shot with the finished extension to get the proper angle.

Here is a shot of the new mirrors I will be producing soon. The base pictures it the master prototype that I just sculpted (shot black for some pictures) and will be used to make the mold.

Another view---it was temporally taped on to check the rear view position.

A shot of both mirrors together with the right mount freshly sculpted and un-painted. There is allot of shape that needed to be sculpted the new mounts to correctly match them to the mirror shapes. Hard to see in the pictures.

My car sold in Turin in 72 was fitted with this Vitaloni mirror on the drivers side only.

I have changed it for a pair of TEX mirrors fitted to TR6 cars in the early 70's.

I did fit Vitaloni California mirrors which looked OK but I could not see much in the mirrors