My best recollection is Duetto's were not delivered with side mirrors, these were typically installed by the distributor or selling dealer. In the UK and Europe most were mounted on the wing. In the US this also appears to be the case for early models, however, some dealers did door mount them in the States. In the US '69 1750's had door mounted mirror. As to a second mirror, IMHO, don't do it. I did and regret the holes needed for mounting. The visibility from the second mirror is not worth the clutter.

 

My best recollection is Duetto's were not delivered with side mirrors, these were typically installed by the distributor or selling dealer. In the UK and Europe most were mounted on the wing. In the US this also appears to be the case for early models, however, some dealers did door mount them in the States.

I can't disagree with gbgary's facts or opinions, but personally, I would deviate from what he seems to be advising.

Whenever I see a car with mirrors out on its fenders, I just think it looks silly - you can't see much in them, you can't adjust them. Sort of like a rear-mounted wing on a FWD car

My Duetto has mirrors on both of its doors. It is a relatively late 1600 model, and I assume the dealer put them there. I put a convex stick-on spot mirror on the passenger side - totally non-original, but I can see cars that would otherwise be in my RH blind spot when I'm changing lanes. Rear visibility is poor in a Duetto with the top up - I think a passenger side mirror looks a lot better than a crumpled in back end!

 

Two Duetto's . One with mirrors on the door (Jim's), and the other (mine) with mirrors on the fenders. The door mirrors are easier to use. When I got my Duetto, a friend of mine (tom) who owns a '66 with one mirror on the fender said. "Oh look! You have 2 useless mirrors." He's right! I never trust them. We seem to have a lot of Duettos around Syracuse.

 

I thought the soft rule was 1600s had fender mounted and 1750s had door mounted but if it was dealer installed who knows. I've owned both and the fender mirror is useless and the driver door mirror works.

 

For a while I thought about going to a "bullet" style mirrors and mount them on the fenders (wings). I decided to stick to the Vitalonis on the door (I have left/right new in box set waiting to be installed). After looking at Tom's photo above I think the door mount appears to be a neater application. Definitely install left and right. On Duettos, outer mirrors were dealer installed. Number and location often depended on the customer preference.

 

I believe that this is one of those "Alfa did all of these this way, except for these" examples.
Certainly the Giuliettas and Giulia spiders didn't come with factory ext. mirrors. And none of the Bertone models seem to either.
But for the Duetto, it seems to be the exception to the rule.
If you have the Georgio Nada book on the Duetto spider or access to any of the factory intro pics of the first cars, they all have the same fender mirror in the same place.
When I look at the factory pics, it just looks right !
My Duetto ( a very original one ) had the right holes in the fender and none on the door.
I found no problem adjusting the mirror or any visability problems on the road, especially with the top down as it should be !

 

Over fifty years of Sports Cars...I have found that the British were partial to fender mount Lucas mirrors, whisl Alfa, and other Italians, and even most German (Iv've had my share of all nationalities) prefer dood mounts. I would say that wheterer gives the best vision for you is the one to use. ain't worth tangeling with some nut job, or soccer mom who didn't see you for the sake of origanality !!!!

 

" ain't worth tangeling with some nut job, or soccer mom who didn't see you for the sake of origanality !!!! "
Perhaps taking the bus would be safer. At least everyone could see you. ;^)

 

In Japan (patience, stay with me here) for many years cars were required to have the mirrors fender mounted. The logic behind the law was that fender mounts give a wider angle of view with a smaller blind spot close to the car. This is useful in Tokyo traffic, where motorcycles pass cars at any time, at any speed, while the same lane, or while approaching from any angle like fighter planes swooping in on a bomber (why yes, I did have a KZ 750 when I lived there:devil2: ). In England, with similar roads, I can see the appeal of fender-mounts. I would imagine South African roads to be more open, like those in the States where blind-spot traffic is only an occasional bother and hence the advantage of fender-mounts is minimal.

I never owned a Duetto (sigh) but my 65 Giulia Spider bought in 76 used had only one door mounted mirror, and my 74 Spider bought in 78 was the same. In the day, I was already used to 'good' cars having dual mirrors , and wasn't pleased with the (to my mind) lop-sided appearance of a single mirror. My current Spider, a 71, has dual door mirrors but conspiciously wears a Scuderia Non Originale badge. I can say howerer, that there are no indications inside either front fender of any holes or other indication that fender mount mirrors were ever thought about. I would suggest if you concerned about originality, look in your fenders and doors for patched holes. If the patched holes are in one place and the mirrors in the other you can conclude that the patches mark the original location. However, given what we've seen here, you should be able to mount them where-ever you choose, including leaving them in the trunk.

 

I can see just fine from my fender mounted mirror on the '67. If I remember correctly - the '67 owner's manual cover even shows a fender mounted mirror (I could be wrong - I'm out of town & can't confirm).

As far as safety concerns - fender versus door, 1 mirror versus 2, etc. - I'm pretty sure this is why I have a neck. Only takes a second to glance over your shoulder and be *sure*.

 

Duetto Mirror

I just looked at my owners manual and it does show the mirror mounted on the fender. Not as far forward as the English and early Asian cars, but about 12-18" forward of the door seam. Mine came with the mirror mounted on the door so it must have been a dealer option. I later mounted one on the passenger side. As mentioned it is hard to keep aligned and the vision is suspect at times, but it has saved me a couple embarrassing moments.
Having had several British cars, I can say the fender mount does give you a wider field of vision, but usually takes two to adjust.

 

When I bought my '66 Duetto it had mirrors on both doors. When I stripped it down (bare metal) for a complete resto I found welded up holes in the front fender that matched the mirrors mounts.

I prefer being able to adjust my micros and will put them back on the door.

 

Mirrors

My 1966 (April)(#-0483) production has the mirror on the front fender in a position I believe is original to the car though it is a restoration. Cant attest to whether it is an add-on in the US or otherwise a stock position. Lots of photos show the early cars with the fender mounts only. As above, no other holes in the door or Rt front fender noticed during prep for respray. as far as the booster in these earlier Duettos, mine did not even have the mounting bracket for one. Here's a recent pic

 

All of the factory photos that I have show a 1600 with a fender mounted mirror. The 1750 and 1300 Junior have them mounted on the door.

See here.

 

While we're talking mirrors and keeping them aligned, after tightening down the balls in the mounts, I adjusted them for me and put a drop of Locktite Blue on top of the balls of each one. It helped, particularly on the passenger side. It didn't actually lock them in place, and it doesn't show up as 'blue glue' on them, but don't tell anyone because it just seems wrong, no matter how well it works.

 

Thanks for all of the replies. I conclude that the fender/wing is the "correct" location, the door is the "driver preferred" location, and it wouldn't be a sin to put it on the door. I'm undecided at the moment, so I'll leave the decision until later in the build. Thanks again to all.

Rob

 

"That which is behind me does not matter!"

 

Do what you want

 

but don't tell anyone because it just seems wrong, no matter how well it works.

Now that I know I'm doin' it. What a great Idea. Will they stay aligned even with light bumps, like when you wash the car?
Remember objects not in mirror are usually closer then they appear.

 

For what it's worth (not much!) we bought my '67 Duetto new in 1968 and it came from the dealer with the mirror mounted on the door, where it still is. Factory or dealer? Who knows. No welded up holes in the fender when it was repainted 20+ years ago.

By the way, must be mid-production run since it doesn't have a brake booster nor mount for one but does have ATE brakes.

Kent

 

Tom - I had to do the mirrors twice as they loosened up after I tried to readjust them after the first locktite application. So, I was careful to get them well aligned before reapplication. Now they stay put even when I shut the doors.

Now to get the vibration out of the interior rear view mirror, and I'm all set!

 

I took my duetto over to Vintage Customs last week and was pleasantly surprised to hear the fender holes on both sides had been welded, not bondoed up. I thought I was going to have to pay for some welding where I felt those globs. The original owner had been carefully restoring his duetto when he passed away in the Bay Area somewheres. I'll need some help from Benjy in Walnut Creek with that, or maybe some Bay Area Alfa club members. When I'm done I want to see if his widow is still alive, so I can send her a picture. I hope it will bring her a smile.

I want that mirror on my door. Seems the previous owner had the same idea.

 

I have a 1969 1750 Spider (Round Tail ) original, which has a single mirror mounted on the drivers door. This is a RHD Euro model that was shipped out to South Africa in 1969.

Wing mirrors on the door seems to be a sensible location as mentioned!