What a view

**Bill** · #1 (**permalink**) 08-07-2003, 09:09 AM

Just wondering about the feelings ya'll have about the type of mirrors that work on a '78 spider. I have the factory rectangular black mirrors with the funky expandable elbow, which are torn and ragged, the glass is foggy and they are in need of repacement.
Thinking about going to chrome round or trapazoid shape.
What are your thoughts?

kjp · #2 (**permalink**) 08-07-2003, 09:15 AM

Just my preference, but the factory chrome ones look great.

**italcarguy** · #3 (**permalink**) 08-07-2003, 09:43 AM

this one would look good. thre is another polished one that has a rectangular shape to it that would be more period correct for the car...imo

meatpile · #4 (**permalink**) 08-07-2003, 10:16 AM

I like the chrome round like in the pic above on my '74.

GianniB · #5 (**permalink**) 08-07-2003, 10:22 AM

Centerline has the trapeziodial chrome mirrors like I had on my '76 Spider on Page 34 of their new catalog. I think they would look more correct than the round mirror IMHO.

Ciao,

**italcarguy** · #6 (**permalink**) 08-07-2003, 10:42 AM

thanks, thats the one i was talking about being more correct. the round one is more for cars from 67-74.

67GTV · #7 (**permalink**) 08-07-2003, 12:31 PM

I never thought there was a "correct" mirror for a particular Alfa. I have seen so many variations, I just thought that Alfa (or the origial dealer) chose mirrors on a whim.

My GTV had a Talbot racing mirror mounted way out on the fender. I bought a pair of the round mirrors pictured and sold the Talbot on eBay for a hundred bones (!).

My other '67 GTV had a trapezoidal Vitaloni mirror (pictured) with three mounting screws. That mirror was most commonly installed on Fiats.

Other Alfas, especially post 1974 Spiders, commonly have the Vitaloni "Baby Tornado" mirrors originally mentioned in this thread by Bill.

So IMO there is no "correct" mirror for your Alfa. But rather which mirror strikes your fancy.

67GTV · #8 (**permalink**) 08-07-2003, 12:45 PM

As I mentioned, I prefer the round Alfa mirrors. I installed one on my driver's door and plan to install another on the passenger side. This brings up another point. Most older Alfas did not come with a passenger side mirror, while most post 1970 Spiders did. I have seen some older Alfas in publications that did not have side mirrors at all, while others had both.

Perhaps side mirror installation was like the previously discussed location of the antenna. It was suggested that the original dealer installed the antennas because Alfas did not come from the factory with radios installed.

Back to the round repro mirrors (pictured) that we discussed. The best prices I found on these come from eBay seller 116_veloce in Israel. Uri's prices are great and shipping is extremely reasonable. His current auctions can be viewed at http://cgi6.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...rid=116_veloce .

Lastly, does anyone know where I could buy one rubber gasket for these round mirrors? I seem to have misplaced mine!

67GTV · #9 (**permalink**) 08-07-2003, 12:51 PM

Check out how far the Talbot was installed out on my fender!

Far out man.

**papajam** · #10 (**permalink**) 08-07-2003, 04:37 PM

A trip thru the 105/115 parts books has, perhaps, further complicated the mirror issue.
The Giulia GT, GTV, GTA, Giulia TI, TI Super and the Giulia Super show no listing for sideview mirrors as supplied by Alfa. So I guess it was up to either the dealer or the owner to install what they wanted and where. Or to not install anything.
The only trapezoid shaped mirror I could find, 105.25.61.017.00, was fitted to the GTC.
Euro 1750 GTVs and Spiders and all Duetto 1600s got a round mirror with no Alfa emblem on the back. Part #105.03.61.017.00.
The 2l Euro GTV got it's own round mirror with emblem that carried #105.48.61.017.00.
The most popular mirror, in the US anyway, 105.64.61.017.00 (which is a Montreal # BTW), was fitted to US version 1750 & 2l GTVs and Spiders and the Euro 2l Spiders. It is also round and has an Alfa emblem on the back.
Since the parts books go only to 1974, I would have to guess that the trapezoid shaped mirrors were fitted no earlier than 1975 (except for the GTC).

Clear as mud?

**Bill** · #11 (**permalink**) 08-07-2003, 07:50 PM

PapaJam, et. all, you folks are amazing! The knowledge you have and your attention to detail is truly wonderous!
Thank you for the input. You have made my selection so much easier.
I assumed Alfa had a standard they followed when it came to the accessory details, because they had such a fine hand in the mechanicals.
I am going to pretend the car never had mirrors and start from scratch (racing Talbots on the front fenders is an intriguing idea).
I will add picts when I have finished the change.
Thanks again for your input.

kcabpilot · #12 (**permalink**) 08-07-2003, 08:08 PM

I bought the trapezoidal ones from Centerline, not correct for a '72 but I liked the shape of them. They look real nice but they stick out a bit and get bumped into by people in the parking lot. The black plastic spacer base was some cheesy material that broke after about a week so now they vibrate alot. I'll have to cut some rubber bases for them. The materials seem okay but the assembly wasn't too great. They were just RTV'ed together and fell apart pretty quickly in my hands. (RTV don't stick to chrome very well) I put them back together with JB-Weld.

Can't remember what I paid, they were probably pretty pricey considering...

meatpile · #13 (**permalink**) 08-07-2003, 09:41 PM

That's one crazy mirror.

Alfapaulic · #14 (**permalink**) 08-07-2003, 09:42 PM

OOps, my copy must have been alittle too big...

Alfapaulic · #15 (**permalink**) 08-07-2003, 09:54 PM

How about this..