MG MGB and MGB GT Tech Talk
The side mirrors on my 73B have seen better days. Since they don't make the 73 style anymore, Moss recommended using the previous year's mirrors. There's only one problem, when the base plate is put on, the hole at the back protrudes BEHIND the plate. The screws at the front anchor the base plate to the car, but I have no idea what to do with the extra hole that isn't covered. Anyone else have this problem? Suggestions?
The other problem you may find is that they moved the mirror mounting point around by about an inch depending on the mirror. Some mirrors that fit the base will interfere with the window. Others will be too far down on the door.
Check VB - they may have more selection than Moss.
Black tape under the black trim piece that extends far enough to cover the hole and trimmed to match the shape. Fix that fix sometime when you are into a paint job. The wide black and gold stripes on this car are there to cover a series of trim mounting holes the size if the one you have. Up 'til now nobody knew why those wide stripes are there. I can see some of the covered holes because I know about them, but nobody else has noticed and lots of people have looked at it.
I didn't check with other suppliers. I'm very surprised, as Moss has it in print and makes the recommendation.
Might try the Roadster Factory, theBHive or Little British Car Co.
I actually got the pieces from LBCC (was a moss part). I may give Jeff a shout and ask the question. Has anyone done this repair?
The hole at the back is a non-factory hole. The 72/73 mirrors, also the 68-71 left side ones use only the large hole and the 2 smaller ones on either side of it. You will need to camouflage that one until you have a chance to weld it up.
As far as I have experienced the repro mirror bases are the same length as the originals. A thought-you might be able to grind the front 3 holes out enough on the back side of each of them to slide the whole thing backward a bit to cover your extra hole.
Thanks everyone. I think I may end up using the old base plates (which is contoured to the body), filling the back hole and painting it a high-gloss black. Either that, or getting one of those universal plugs from Home Depot and painting it the colour of the car. I guess I'll have to see what looks the worst, then select the other option...lol.
