Which Aero Head is Correct?

[Peter Silten]

The latest Aero mirrors offered by NLA et al. claim to be a perfect match for the original Aero mirror. Yet I have beentold that the original Aero had the "Made in Germany" stamp embossed on the in-board side of the mirror head just like the one in the first photograph. The second photograph is of the latest reproduction which has the "Made in German" stamp on the outboard. Which one is correct?

[Vic Skirmants]

If they say "Made in German", then neither is correct. How about " Made in GermanY"?

[Peter Silten]

Vic, you must be seeing things. : )

Thanks for pointing out the glaring aero (pun intended).

[Jim Breazeale]

The "Made in Germany" logo should be on the short side not on the "outboard" side. Putting the logo on the wrong spot just screams "I'm a repro!"

Regards

[Peter Silten]

I thought that was the case. I can only wonder why the so-called concours Aero was done incorrectly.

[Barry Brisco]

Not to dispute what Jim is saying, but I have queried a number of veteran 356ers about the question of which side of the stalk the Aero logo is stamped on, and I have found varying opinions. It seems possible to me that vintage originals were not always stamped on the "inner" side. Given Brad Ripley's expertise in vintage Porsche parts, I would be surprised if he got it wrong...

Best regards,

[Peter Silten]

I am writing an email to Brad and Bruce to find out why the NLA/Stoddard mirror was made the way it was with the "Made in Germany" stamped on the outer side. I can only say that all of the original Aeros I have seen have the "Made in Germany" stamped on the inner side.

[Bob DiCorpo]

Hi Peter,
I didn't know that about the stamp. I went out to the garage to look at the two originals on my 356 and sure enough, they're both stamped on the short side as Jim said. Bob

[Jacques Lefriant]

Hi All
that is what happens when you try to make fakes better/copy fakes and if you do enought the fakes become real. to me the real question is the functionality of the fakes i like the fact that they are slightly imperfect so we can recognize them but if they work better or are pretty so much the better.
jacques

[Peter Silten]

I have been informed that both heads are correct.

[Jim Breazeale]

I have been informed that both heads are correct.

You have been informed incorrecty. I think it is important to note that repro Aero and Ponto mirrors have been around since the 60s. Show me a picture of a very old mirror with the logo on the long side and I'll comfirm it as a repro. One of the giveaways is the shape of the stars.

Regards

[Jim Breazeale]

Peter

Both of the mirrors that are pictured in your original post scream REPRO!!!!!! Neither remotely resemble a correct Aero or Ponto mirror head.

Regards

[Jim Breazeale]

Another fake but closer to the original in my humble opinion

[Roy Lock]

Hi All
that is what happens when you try to make fakes better/copy fakes and if you do enought the fakes become real...
jacques

My favorite saying is "When fiction/folklore becomes fact."
Too many times I have seen "experts" say things that are not so. Then it becomes folklore and then accepted as real.
Not to get off this subject, as an example, for years, the "Porsche" script on the passenger side of the dash in 62 Roadsters. I know for a fact that on my early production 62 Roadster did not come with them. Same with others. When I stripped my car to bare metal, there were no holes. Yet on many cars that have been restored, owners have put the script on. It was conventual wisdom, yet not correct... at least on my 62 Roadster.

[steve shea]

My originals which I have had for a long time have the stamp on the short side. Jim is correct. Also, do the repros have ivory plastic with the mouse holes?