Lotus Europa Community

Lotus Europa Forums => Garage => Topic started by: jbcollier on Sunday,September 04, 2016, 06:14:58 AM

Title: You thought you hated me before, well look at this!
Post by: jbcollier on Sunday,September 04, 2016, 06:14:58 AM

I like door mirrors and I especially like door mirrors that work.  Because you are so low, the Europa is not actually that bad seeing for what is beside you.  However, not having to swivel one’s head to look out the rear window would be nice.  So I fit a pair of these mirrors:

https://www.pegasusautoracing.com/productdetails.asp?RecID=11025

Somewhat crazy expensive but they weight almost nothing — probably would provide lift if you filled them with helium.  They are a good size without being too large and are convex with a wide viewing field so there are no surprises when you need to make a quick lane change.  I believe they are available with plastic housings now which should significantly lower the cost.  That said, the stupid light weight of the carbon fibre means that there is much less likelihood of stress cracking in the fibreglass over time.

https://jbcollier.smugmug.com/Lotus-Europa/i-smcwBrB/A

https://jbcollier.smugmug.com/Lotus-Europa/i-QrHwrDV/A

Now, why are you all going to chase after me with pitch forks and burn me at the stake?  Well, what the sharp eyed among you will have picked up on, I have mounted the mirrors to the door windows!

https://jbcollier.smugmug.com/Lotus-Europa/i-RKZ5kXb/A

(still chrome trim to go around the door windows)

It places them in the absolute perfect position so the mirrors are easily viewed and give an amazing amount of coverage.  Even heretical I was doubtful at first, but, having driven with them, they are there to stay.

John

Title: Re: You thought you hated me before, well look at this!
Post by: BDA on Sunday,September 04, 2016, 07:02:18 AM

I'm envious, John! Those are really nice! BTW, I like the doors, too!

So are you driving it regularly now?

Title: Re: You thought you hated me before, well look at this!
Post by: jbcollier on Sunday,September 04, 2016, 07:21:06 AM

I'm just starting to now that I can see behind me.

Title: Re: You thought you hated me before, well look at this!
Post by: BDA on Sunday,September 04, 2016, 09:27:08 AM

Glad to hear it! She really is a beauty!

Title: Re: You thought you hated me before, well look at this!
Post by: kiwiokie on Sunday,September 04, 2016, 10:35:46 AM

Wow your car looks beautiful!!!  Were the door seals installed in those photos?  I am about to reinstall mine to improve the fit and am doing so without the seals first and then will install the seals and hope that does not change the fit too much.

Title: Re: You thought you hated me before, well look at this!
Post by: jbcollier on Sunday,September 04, 2016, 12:07:47 PM

I installed the doors without the seals first and then fit the door seal.  Oh my gosh, way out, I thought.  All I had to do was trim the rubber inside the clamping section (easy with a fresh razor) and it then fit like a dream.  You can see the rubber that may need to be trimmed here:

http://rdent.com/images/doorseal3.jpg

Title: Re: You thought you hated me before, well look at this!
Post by: jbcollier on Sunday,September 04, 2016, 01:57:05 PM

https://jbcollier.smugmug.com/Lotus-Europa/i-XLvkTWT/A

https://jbcollier.smugmug.com/Lotus-Europa/i-TrmJmgj/A

All that remains for the exterior is to aim the headlights, fit the trim rings and apply the giant flaming chicken to the bonnet!

http://i0.wp.com/firebirdtaclub.com/images2/FirebirdDecal.jpg?w=474

Too subtle?

Title: Re: You thought you hated me before, well look at this!
Post by: BDA on Sunday,September 04, 2016, 02:18:33 PM

Naw, that flaming chicken would set it off nicely! I think flames on the sides would be a nice touch!  :FUNNY:

Title: Re: You thought you hated me before, well look at this!
Post by: 3929R on Tuesday,September 06, 2016, 07:34:41 PM

You must be thrilled with how it turned out!!  :coolpic:

When you do the giant flaming chicken, you best got whole hog=(http://gearheads.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Gold-Pontiac-Trans-Am-CSP17.jpg)

Title: Re: You thought you hated me before, well look at this!
Post by: jbcollier on Tuesday,September 06, 2016, 08:57:17 PM

Great, now I have to get new eyeballs!

Title: Re: You thought you hated me before, well look at this!
Post by: Gmg31 on Friday,September 09, 2016, 11:31:08 AM

I'm giving serious consideration to mini cameras mounted at the rear connected to a rear view mirror that has a built in led screen.  It won't spoil the lines of the car and visibility will actually be good.

Title: Re: You thought you hated me before, well look at this!
Post by: jbcollier on Friday,September 09, 2016, 12:32:34 PM

I fit a single DIN receiver with an LCD screen just so I could get a back up camera. Works well for parking speeds but the cameras have too wide a field for traffic use.