In response to Susan Aroldi's request for a possible supply source of
replacement mirrors, Chip Old replied to the effect that Triumph didn't
have an approved or standard fit mirror and this was left largely to owner
or local dealer. As this observation may apply directly to cars sold and
delivered in the US market, I would not want to offer an alternative view
because I'm ignorant of what went on.
However, a TR4 is the focus vehicle and it was made at a time when
Triumph's vehicle build programme was largely limited to variations on a
steering position, speedo type (kms or miles) and lighting variances. Apart
from those aspects, one car was much like any other almost regardless of
eventual destination.
What I feel some listers may sometimes overlook, is that in the late
fifties and sixties, Triumph supplied and delivered substantial volumes of
cars destined for the US market in Europe - mainly in the UK. At that time,
door mirrors rather than wing mirrors were effectively unknown in the UK.
The reason for not fitting them was based (a) on UK suppliers not having a
suitable door mirror available (b) they required a head rather than an eye
movement to interrogate to view what they reflected, and (c) UK external
mirrors were and still are required to be movable in the event of
accidental contact.
What Susan has briefly described her former mirrors to be, leads me to
think it is highly likely her car might just have been a UK delivery to its
first owner.
Many US visitors collecting their cars in the UK were obviously cautious of
driving on the left and the vast majority of those cars were shipped out of
Coventry or London with wing mirrors on both sides and in this regard,
Triumph certainly had an approved range of mirrors in their official
accessory catalogue. Moreover these mirrors are still available and those
listers who regularly read Practical Classics will see them advertised. The
advertiser is Classic Collection, 143 Cannon Hill Lane, Raynes Park, London
SW20 9BZ.
Of the style Classic offer, the 'D' and MM1 versions are the mirrors
Triumph used to fit and were approved accessories.
John Macartney
"Life at Triumph" in print - unique pictures and lots more. See info at
http://www.toolbox.ndirect.co.uk/triumphbook
ORDER LINE STAYS OPEN UNTIL SEPTEMBER 30, 1998.
Order points are with:
The Author: jonmac@ndirect.co.uk
British Columbia Triumph Registry: michael_bayrock@bctransit.com
Triumph 2000 2500 2.5PI Register: t2000@compuserve.com
Triumph Sports Six Club: bernard@tssc-hq.demon.co.uk
Vintage Triumph Register: HHUMM53@aol.com
The book will NOT be available from shops - only from the Author and Agents
http://www.toolbox.ndirect.co.uk/plates
Give your Triumph "The Coventry Look"
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