Vent (Wing) glass retrofit?

[babu2001]

Tired of looking for my mystic driver's side mirror for my '83 Spider. Same as on the red Spider of the forum. Also, I really think it was a mistake to install them through the glass. So, I'm thinking to install some other mirrors on the fender. I saw someone with electric mirrors from a Le Sabre '88, nice fitting. I'm looking for some electric mirrors from an old Jaguar. Yeah, I know, I like troubles. Electric parts from an old british car... Doing that kind of modification, I'll have to replace the non vented glass since they will leave me with a "nice" hole. Perfect for ventilation though... So, since I need to change them, could I simply install vented one? Is it a simple question of "drop it" (it's glass, careful!! ) and bolt it? Mattew's Parts got a lot of these in stock. Not a pricy conversion. Is a vented glass noisier than a non vented one (when closed, of course )? Water problem? Latches seem to break a lot but as long as I can fin some, no problem. Thanks to all for your inputs.

[maytag]

I've never heard of "vented glass". what is that?

[spider2081]

Hmmm maybe an English vent window????

[spiderrey]

Wing window.

[burgandy81]

Hey Babu,

I have a set of 83 doors that are destined for my 81 that is quickly becoming a mutt. 73 interior, early bumpers and a couple of other anomalies.

My plan was to use an older style chrome round mirror with a combination of rubber and stainless fender washer to mount in the existing hole.

Have you considered any other solutions?

[babu2001]

Sorry guys if my english is not perfect. I'm a frenchie living in "La Belle Province" alias Quebec, in an english continent driving an italian car... But I'll be pleased to see you ordering a "poutine" in a restaurant... Yes, it's the vent glass I'm talking about, or the wing one if you prefer. To answer Burgandy right away, yes I've check A LOT of mirror options. But something you might want to consider right away about using the little chrome mirror is the focus point. Notice how far the original '83 mirrors stuck out so you'll be able to see behind you. Being on the door, you won't notice 'cause it's the natural position, more away from you. I've asked to a friend to hold the mirror at different position and it must be about 4~5 inches from the window to really see something behind. Little chromed mirror will be odd if you do that. And the interior finish will be quite bizarre... Do the same think as me, keep it on the door but be more than careful to prevent rust. That's one of its prefered spot on the Spider... That's what I'll do but with these mirrors :

Electric ones, I like gadgets. So, beside moking my english does anyone knows about my retro fit?

[So Cal Mark]

since your vent windows don't open, the pivots aren't there. I believe you will need the entire vent window frame to do the conversion

[spider2081]

I too found it rather difficult to find a door mount chrome mirror that would work for both sides of the car. The drivers was not overly hard to position but the passenger side became a compromise between matching the position of the driver side and being useful. I'm was not thrilled with how it worked out but recently I have driven another spider with just the driver side mirror and really miss the passenger side.

babo my French would be much harder to understand than your English

[burgandy81]

Hey Babu,

Thanks for the comments regarding the mirror. I will reconsider the mirror plan. I currently have a great looking set of mirrors on the doors now although I cannot see a thing!

Your English is much better than my French!

Cheers

[Boris61]

I have an 84, and the metal closest to the window mount snapped off when I was putting a car cover on it last winter. I tried JB weld and the repair lasted for a couple of months then came apart. Then I tried welding and finally I got an X1/9 mirror for parts but the connection isnt the same. Yesterday I broke down and spent $220 on a new one. If anyone needs the mirror or other parts besides the metal connector attached to the plastic let me know.

[babu2001]

Check mine how it looks right now : X1/9 for the driver side and original one for the passenger. You understand now I can't stay like that forever! It will cost me about the same or less to buy two vent windows with the frames (~80$ shipped + 30$ for latches) and the two electric mirrors from a Jag (~110$) than just one original mirror. And it will look better (In my opinion of course. Who am I to criticize Pininfarina?... ) I have to stop myself on projects, too many at once!!

[Boris61]

Nice looking Azzurra. I too considered doing away with the thru the glass mirrors. I guess they break easily so the window doesn't. Anyway, If the new one gets broken, I'll be looking to you for pictures of the results you get with the Jag mirrors. In the meantime, I really would prefer to keep it as original as possible.