S1 Wing mirrors

S1 Wing mirrors

Author
Discussion

Andy Lynch

Original Poster:

445 posts

161 months

Sunday 18th February 2018
quotequote all
A friend of mine is restoring an S1, and he needs new wing mirrors.

Can any one tell me what the original were off?

And what people have upgraded to, as the original were next to useless if I remember correctly

Thanks

Andy


Deeman

1,609 posts

181 months

Sunday 18th February 2018
quotequote all
Think there is a set of originals in the bay at the moment. Believe they maybe peugeot

v8s4me

7,234 posts

218 months

Sunday 18th February 2018
quotequote all
Mazda MX5 mirrors are a good choice and still cheap. There's couple on eBay at the moment. HERE & HERE.

Andy Lynch

Original Poster:

445 posts

161 months

Sunday 18th February 2018
quotequote all
Thanks

Will pass on your comments.

Andy

WhatamIgettingmyselfinto

64 posts

83 months

Monday 19th February 2018
quotequote all
v8s4me - Surely if you use those mk2 mx5 mirrors they will point towards the ground...

Kitchski

6,514 posts

230 months

Monday 19th February 2018
quotequote all
The S1 uses some awful universal things, probably from Les Smith. I ditched mine ages ago, and fitted mk1 Fiesta mirrors (which I think suit it OK). Others have used MX-5 mirrors.

The later cars (S3 onwards, though some S3s had the crap ones also) used the Citroen CX mk2 mirrors, as fitted to Chimaera, Griffith, V8S (and Lister Storm, XJ220, AM Vantage, McLaren F1 prototype, Lotus Espirit.....it goes one). They're a big improvement in terms of visibility, though they're a pig to work on when fitted to a TVR as you can't get to the grub screw needed to set them up properly (which you could on a CX). As a result they're often weakened by a combination of them not being set correctly, and the fact many TVR owners continually fold their mirrors in and out when parking in a garage. Eventually the 'toad stool' breaks. It's not a common problem on the CX.
Someone has engineered some extensions to them though, so you can fit them properly. I don't have a link, but someone will probably have one. Immaterial really, as you asked about an S1, so I've wittered on here for a couple of minutes really for no reason at all!

Andy Lynch

Original Poster:

445 posts

161 months

Monday 19th February 2018
quotequote all
Thanks anyway, it was an interested read,

Will the Citroen ones fit an S1?

v8s4me

7,234 posts

218 months

Monday 19th February 2018
quotequote all
Andy Lynch said:
....Will the Citroen ones fit an S1?
I think you'd need to modify the doors. Ignore the comment above about the MX mirrors pointing down. MX5 units are the easiest and most economical way to get a decent pair of mirrors which look "right".

Have a look at THIS THREAD, although these are Mk1 MX mirrors and the ones on the links are later ones but you'll get the idea.

Lots of people have fitted MX mirrors so there should be a picture available from someone.






Edited by v8s4me on Monday 19th February 23:13

Deeman

1,609 posts

181 months

Tuesday 20th February 2018
quotequote all

Kitchski

6,514 posts

230 months

Tuesday 20th February 2018
quotequote all
I've got a pair of black mk1 MX-5 mirrors somewhere, don't need them. Was going to list them on ebay, but let me know if you're after any. I personally prefer the Fiesta/Escort ones - more period-looking.

The comment about the mirrors pointing down might be referring to the mk2 mirrors? They might differ from the mk1?

Citroen conversion would be a lot of work - more so than the MX-5 or Fiesta type.

greymrj

3,316 posts

203 months

Tuesday 20th February 2018
quotequote all
Hi there. First of all I would suggest you and your friend get familiar with the links at the top of this page. One of the most useful is the NEW alternative parts list for the S. It lists all the original sources we have been able to identify, and any alternatives which we have been able to source or identify, often with links to Pistonheads forum discussion on the part and fitting. A real mine of invaluable information.

The original mirrors are Citroen CX. Brodie Engineering, Citroen parts specialists were able to provide spares but to be honest only a few people who are anxious to keep their cars original would bother. The originals do not perform well (I am being diplomatic!) and if you like to see what is going on behind you then an 'upgrade' is a VERY good idea.

There are several alternatives but the most popular appears to be the Mazda MX5. It fits easily, more or less covers the mess where the old CX ones were, the curved shape fits in well with the car, and it is easily painted to match the car and........it actually gives a good rear view!
You want the Mazda MX5 Mk 1 (which is a manual mirror, later ones are a comparative pain to fit).
Another bonus is that there is a very good owners club for the Mazda. Like all old mirrors the internal spring can rust and the glass can break so it is important to get mirrors that are easy to keep in good condition.

After seeing other peoples various efforts I went for MX5 Mk1 and fitted then with new (stainless) springs and bolts from the club. I fitted the cunning brass threaded rubber inserts in the door to provide an easy location for the mounting screws. You might just get away with stainless self tapping screws if the glass is thick enough, or I think someone glued a plate inside the door to self tap to.



Kitchski

6,514 posts

230 months

Tuesday 20th February 2018
quotequote all
greymrj said:
The original mirrors are Citroen CX. Brodie Engineering, Citroen parts specialists were able to provide spares but to be honest only a few people who are anxious to keep their cars original would bother. The originals do not perform well (I am being diplomatic!) and if you like to see what is going on behind you then an 'upgrade' is a VERY good idea.
I think you might be getting mixed up there, Richard. The originals on the S1/S2 aren't CX mirrors at all. That's the later cars (most S3/all S4 and all V8S). Same as a Griffith, Chimaera and all the other stuff I listed above! hehe They're pretty good mirrors too; certainly give a good field of view. One of the most aerodynamic door mirrors made, from what I've read, hence them being used on all the exotic stuff.

Original S1 mirrors are some universal junk, as far as I can tell. They're quite similar in body to the Rover Metro design (as used on Lotus Elise and MGF), but I don't think they're the same. You're right though - they're bloody awful. Can't see anything out of them unless they're at a 45degree angle. Not ideal!

greymrj

3,316 posts

203 months

Tuesday 20th February 2018
quotequote all
Thank you Richard, I think it may be an age thing!

Kitchski

6,514 posts

230 months

Tuesday 20th February 2018
quotequote all
greymrj said:
Thank you Richard, I think it may be an age thing!
Maybe you've been living with an S1 a bit too long - it does that to you hehe

It'll be me next!

v8s4me

7,234 posts

218 months

Tuesday 20th February 2018
quotequote all
Kitchski said:
.........The comment about the mirrors pointing down might be referring to the mk2 mirrors? They might differ from the mk1?.....
The guy who's selling them has twisted the mirror on its swivel bracket, probably to make the mirror stand up so he can photograph it. banghead

Kitchski

6,514 posts

230 months

Tuesday 20th February 2018
quotequote all
v8s4me said:
The guy who's selling them has twisted the mirror on its swivel bracket, probably to make the mirror stand up so he can photograph it. banghead
Oh I see, I hadn't spotted the links. Yeah that does appear to be the case. Amazing how much cheaper the mk2 mirrors are compared with the mk1, despite the damage.

Andy Lynch

Original Poster:

445 posts

161 months

Tuesday 20th February 2018
quotequote all
Thanks Guys

My friend has decided to refurbish the chrome ones that came with his car.

Thanks again

Andy

greymrj

3,316 posts

203 months

Tuesday 20th February 2018
quotequote all
Kitchski said:
Maybe you've been living with an S1 a bit too long - it does that to you hehe

It'll be me next!
As mine is the only (I believe) S1 with SV8 bonnet it was always bound to lead to psychological problems!!!! I even refer to the car as the 'sheep in wolfs clothing'.

Matter of interest. Mazda MX5 mirrors. My understanding was that the Mk1 MANUAL mirrors were easy but aren't the later a rather different proposition? I don't remember seeing anything other than Mk1's fitted to an S. Have you done it?
(I must get back to that bonnet mounting design, got held up on access to particular tube sizes)

Kitchski

6,514 posts

230 months

Wednesday 21st February 2018
quotequote all
Andy Lynch said:
Thanks Guys

My friend has decided to refurbish the chrome ones that came with his car.

Thanks again

Andy
If they're chrome, then they're not the original ones anyway laugh

Kitchski

6,514 posts

230 months

Wednesday 21st February 2018
quotequote all
greymrj said:
As mine is the only (I believe) S1 with SV8 bonnet it was always bound to lead to psychological problems!!!! I even refer to the car as the 'sheep in wolfs clothing'.

Matter of interest. Mazda MX5 mirrors. My understanding was that the Mk1 MANUAL mirrors were easy but aren't the later a rather different proposition? I don't remember seeing anything other than Mk1's fitted to an S. Have you done it?
(I must get back to that bonnet mounting design, got held up on access to particular tube sizes)
Not sure about the mk2 mirror Richard. If I'm honest, I'm not mad on the look of the MX-5 mirror. Probably why I had a set and then never fitted them! I've never looked in to what's involved fitting them.