Side Mirror

All of the Ford side mirrors from that era had mounting bases with screw holes set far apart.

If you want to be 100% period correct, the chrome Mustang mirrors are the real deal, although the original owner may have elected to install something else. The most common replacement mirror 30 years ago was the pointed Ford sport mirror, that was painted body color.

The Vitaloni "Baby Turbos" are relatively inexpensive, readily available, and have a mounting base that has one "slotted" mounting hole that will adapt to the spacing of the holes in your door, whatever that may be. In the looks department they resemble the Vitaloni "Turbos" that were used on Panteras in the eighties. It would make a good interim mirror until you find something better.

cowboy from hell

quote:

I want this car to be absolutely stock and correct.

Well then, you won't have ANY mirrors.

They came off the boat with none, nothing, nada, zip. There weren't any stashed inside in the glove box, and De Tomaso s.p.a. didn't ship anything over in a box to be installed upon arrival. I have seen a car with no mirrors, and the owner said he had repainted it and found no holes, filled or otherwise, for any mirrors.

The usual was for the LM dealer to hit the stockroom and grab the squarish mirror, probably the same as you bought. The pointed 'stang mirror was also used, but I have seem more of the squares than the pointies.

Now, De Tomaso DID install mirrors on Panteras, but not on the USA cars. For whatever was used for the Euro Panteras, I'll have to assume George is correct with the Vitaloni Turbos. I've got the '79-'84 Dodge Colt mirrors on 2511, as do (seemingly) hundreds of other Panteras.

Good luck - though whatever you choose won't, technically, be 'stock'.

Larry

Larry is technically right about the Panteras coming off the boat with no mirrors, but a concours judge in the US would knock points off for any mirror that isn't period correct, like the chrome Mustang mirrors or the "sport mirrors", and I think that's where BP's head is at.

I've seen Panteras that were driven off the dealer's lot with no mirrors, others that had only a driver's side mirror, and others that had both mirrors. Usually the chrome Mustang mirrors, the sport mirrors were installed less frequently. However the sport mirrors became a popular upgrade during the seventies, owners traded in their chrome Mustang mirrors for sport mirrors. So you see, even 30 years ago, what to do with the mirrors was a concern with Pantera owners.

My Pantera had the sport mirrors installed, as far as functionality goes, they are worthless, couldn't see a thing behind you, I installed convex mirrors on the glass, that helped a bit.

THe earliest mirrors on Euro cars I'm aware of were the Vitaloni mirrors called "Californians". See a pic below. The "Turbos" came along some time in the '80s. Coz's factory 1981 GT5 has Californians installed. BP from the angle of your picture your mirrors look a bit like Californians, if so, they are still available, and are as period correct as anything else.

I suggested the Baby Turbos simply as a way to have attractive mirrors that actually provide some rearward vision without having to poke any further holes in the door panel.

cowboy from hell

George, Thanks. I can see now that I've got one good passenger side "Californian". I think this type mirror is "correct" enough for me. I just need one more for the driver's side. Are they sold in pairs or individually? Brian

quote:

Originally posted by lotuspete:
George, Thanks. I can see now that I've got one good passenger side "Californian". I think this type mirror is "correct" enough for me. I just need one more for the driver's side. Are they sold in pairs or individually? Brian

Brian,
They're sold in pairs. I've got a new drivers side Californian I'll sell. PM me.
Dan

I've only purchased them in pairs. I don't know why they wouldn't sell them individually, however. My source for Vitaloni mirrors is Aardvark International, contact info:

http://www.talbotco.com

(562) 699-8887

They also sell on e-bay, the lady I've communicated with is Marcia Hall. They're located in Whittier California.

cowboy from hell

There is an NOS set of California mirrors on ebay right now.

Search under Pantera will find them.

Larry

the "buy it now" price of those mirrors is a good price for a new pair of Vitaloni mirrors. My advice, buy it now.

Never hurts to have a spare on the shelf, as you have found out.

cfh

Hey George! That is exactly my mirror. Same color and everything. When you are driving down the highway they flop up anddown in the wind. Can't see nothing out of them but you can guess how fast you aregoing by how fast they go up and down.

Can you not tighten the hinge? I like those mirrors and had been thinking about them. I have that issue of having a Mustang sport mirror so I'll have holes that don't match.

quote:

Originally posted by popsrcr:
Can you not tighten the hinge? I like those mirrors and had been thinking about them. I have that issue of having a Mustang sport mirror so I'll have holes that don't match.

Sure you can tighten the hinge, but it still flops up and down at speed.

JB Weld :-)?

DeTom,

Mirrors flapping in the wind like that could make it dangerous to drive your car during pheasant season!

You need some friction between the base & the mirror. Install a "Nord-Lock" washer between the mirror & base, this may require filing a bit of the mirror away to make clearance for the wahser.

You'll find the washer at McMaster Carr.

cowboy from hell

My '72 UK spec car (mostly Euro spec but with steering wheel on the other side) came with no door mirrors.
All you have is the interior mirror. Getting into the garage and parking is interesting .

quote:

Originally posted by george pence:
DeTom,

Mirrors flapping in the wind like that could make it dangerous to drive your car during pheasant season!

You need some friction between the base & the mirror. Install a "Nord-Lock" washer between the mirror & base, this may require filing a bit of the mirror away to make clearance for the wahser.

You'll find the washer at McMaster Carr.

cowboy from hell

But George, I would lose all sense of speed then. It made it seem like I am going faster than what I am that way.

DeTom,You are probably right, and I bet your mirrors are more accurate than my Speedo!

quote:

Originally posted by Rapid:
DeTom,You are probably right, and I bet your mirrors are more accurate than my Speedo!

Oh my speedo works just fine, but it is useless information. KPH??? It may as well tell me Mach fractions or incehes per nano-second. Who came up with kilometers anyway???

Hi,

You can find also Vitaloni mirrors at www.barrac.it, the italian factory that made those mirrors. They still produce them here in Europe for rally cars,Panteras, etc...

They cost around 26 euros each(40 dollars approx) plus shipping(which I dont know how much it is for USA).

Go check it!