Correct mirrors for 1960 Drauz Roadster

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Michael LaRocque
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Correct mirrors for 1960 Drauz Roadster

#1 Post by Michael LaRocque »

Dear All,

We are restoring a 1960 B Drauz Roadster. I am getting ready to send the brightwork off for replating/restoration. However, I am confused by the mirrors.

The existing mirrors are Durant style, possibly repops, mounted on the doors. My understanding was Durant mirrors were not used until later.
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Can anyone enlighten me on the correct style of mirror for this car?

I did a search, but came up with 1700 posts! All of my attempts at shortening the list failed.

Thanks tons for your help.

John Wurner
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Re: Correct mirrors for 1960 Drauz Roadster

#2 Post by John Wurner »

This is the original mirror on my 60 Roadster.
Could have been added by the selling dealer.
John
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Frederic Prince
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Re: Correct mirrors for 1960 Drauz Roadster

#3 Post by Frederic Prince »

hi,

as i understood in extensive research for my car, the first 59 built roadster has this A type mirrors, then they had the Ponto style (somewhere between end of 59 and beginning of 60

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Richard Ferenz
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Re: Correct mirrors for 1960 Drauz Roadster

#4 Post by Richard Ferenz »

Michael,
My 1960 Roadster came with a Ponto-Stabil according to the kardex. Not perfect but still with the car.
September 1959, #86835

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Jules Dielen
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Re: Correct mirrors for 1960 Drauz Roadster

#5 Post by Jules Dielen »

Cant go wrong with a ponto on a t5 or t6b
Jules

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Michael LaRocque
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Re: Correct mirrors for 1960 Drauz Roadster

#6 Post by Michael LaRocque »

Thank you all for the help. We have an early T5, so Ponto Stabil may not be right.

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Chuck House
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Re: Correct mirrors for 1960 Drauz Roadster

#7 Post by Chuck House »

I've seen this type on unrestored early Roadsters. It is similar and sometimes referred to as a "ponto" but is a Talbot Berlin. The Stoddard description says T6 but ignore that.

https://www.stoddard.com/64473100306-nla.html
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Mike Wilson
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Re: Correct mirrors for 1960 Drauz Roadster

#8 Post by Mike Wilson »

From Charlie White's site, Factory accessories:
For the T-5's prior to 1961, an Aero mirror is shown.
From 1961 for B and C models, a Talbot Berlin is shown. Same part number used.

We also know at some point, late B's and C's, the Durant mirror was an option and at some point after the Aero, the Ponto-Stabil was used. I think some of the differences arose depending if the mirror was installed at the time of the build or if it was dealer-installed.

"Porsche...consistently inconsistent..."

Mike
Mike Wilson
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'63 B coupe

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Jeffrey Gamble
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Re: Correct mirrors for 1960 Drauz Roadster

#9 Post by Jeffrey Gamble »

Our early 87009 Roadster was came to the dock sans out side mirror and no local dealer install. Love the fast lines of the Aero Ponto Stabil,
Could be wrong here, the Ponto Stabil has a short arm while the "Aero" model is also a Ponto Stabil w/ a little longer mounting arm and is tighter to the body?

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Mike Wilson
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Re: Correct mirrors for 1960 Drauz Roadster

#10 Post by Mike Wilson »

From what I have seen, the Aero, Ponto-Stabil and Talbit Berlin all have a somewhat ovoid mirror shape. The Aero and Talbot Berlin have longer stalks than the Ponto-Stabil. I had read that back in the day, outside mirrors were not required in Europe (but of course could be ordered). They were required in the U.S. I suppose a car ordered for U.S. delivery could be ordered with a mirror installed or added once it was delivered stateside. This where I think things can get confusing. What mirrors did the dealer have in stock or what did the customer want?

My late '63 B coupe (May 30, 1963) had a Durant mirror on it when I purchased it. When I restored the car, I tried the Ponto-Stabil as that was supposed to be an accurate mirror for the model but I switched to Talbot Berlins as they would have been installed at the factory. Honestly, I like the look of the Ponto-Stabil or the Talbot Berlin but I think the visibility is better with a Durant.

Mike

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Peter Silten
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Re: Correct mirrors for 1960 Drauz Roadster

#11 Post by Peter Silten »

I know that side-view mirrors were not required in California at the time I took my driver's test in 1965. I believe they became mandatory in 1968. I have a Durant on my 63 B that was probably installed by the dealer.

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Mike Wilson
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Re: Correct mirrors for 1960 Drauz Roadster

#12 Post by Mike Wilson »

Thanks for the info, Peter. I know U.S. regs dictated some items like over rider bars.

Mike
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'63 B coupe

chris romney
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Re: Correct mirrors for 1960 Drauz Roadster

#13 Post by chris romney »

My roadster which is a relatively early one, #87641, 3-11-60 build date (single mount transmission) came with an Aero mirror which at least gives you another data point. It was picked up in Europe and the mirror is on the factory build sheet. My understanding is that many 356's were shipped to the US without mirrors, radios or seatbelts which were then installed by dealers, allowing them to make a few extra dollars. This explains why you'll see 356's with all kinds of different mirrors, some of them mounted in locations which almost guarantee you can't see anything out of them.

Chris
 

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