Had to bring this back to life...
I was prompted by some recently surfacing photographs I came across, got me thinking. In it's primal version, the 49 's upper bodywork and cockpit surround was a combination of metal and Plexiglas. A super clean looking shape, starting with the formed alloy top cover upper with plastic added, and ending with the tail section sloped at the drivers shoulders. As you can see, the mirrors were mounted in the Plexiglas and finished off nicely in metal towards the body.
Later versions made that season, and run the following year, incorporated the full Plexiglas top section that continued to the end on the monocoque ending at the roll hoop.
Was it weight savings? driver preference? Aero turbulence? sight or exit safety? Pictured below are R1, R2...and R3
In the first versions, Both Hill and Clark had their mirrors fairly close with the small exception of height position.
Hill seen in R3 the following year in South Africa had them mounted morel forward toward the steering wheel.
Whatever the reason, I prefer the early version, if only for it's appearance and classic workmanship ....your thoughts?
