Morris Minor Owners Club

I am in the process of rebuilding a traveller what is the general feeling regarding wing mirrors , to have or not to have that is the question

We discussed mirrors recently in this thread: viewtopic.php?p=712857&hilit=door+mirror#p712857

It turns out that the Travellers and LCVs were fitted with wing mirrors from the factory. The other models were not and the wing mirrors were often added at the dealers. I had thought that none of the Minors had mirrors from the factory which was wrong.

So if you want your Traveller to be as original as possible it should have wing mirrors.

Stephen

Well many people, if fitting for the first time, seem to go for fitting door mirrors on the quarter light triangle, probably because that is what they are used to with a modern.
This is allegedly resulting in the drying up of supply of the metal triangles without large holes in them

For period appearance, I prefer wing mirrors.
My Basil had flat glass mirrors when I brought him, which are useless, but I fitted replacement Convex mirrors to the original arms and the view was much improved. For a Traveller, the more rectangular ones (Desmo shape), I think, look very on point.
I find wing mirrors idea for reversing out of the garage and off the drive, letting me see the entire side of the car.
Basil also has a mirror on the driver's window frame.

svenedin wrote: ↑Fri Nov 14, 2025 9:08 am We discussed mirrors recently in this thread: viewtopic.php?p=712857&hilit=door+mirror#p712857

It turns out that the Travellers and LCVs were fitted with wing mirrors from the factory. The other models were not and the wing mirrors were often added at the dealers. I had thought that none of the Minors had mirrors from the factory which was wrong.

So if you want your Traveller to be as original as possible it should have wing mirrors.

Stephen

I believe the fitting of wing mirrors was all due to the Traveller, in a great many jurisdictions, being classed as a 'Utility' or 'general purpose' vehicle, due to the possibility of the interior mirror being useless when the back was fully loaded, thus the external mirrors were required.

My car Xavier (1969) has trapezoid Tex wing mirrors. These have always been on the car during my tenure (36 years) and I believe they were fitted by the dealer. They are similar to the Desmo Boomerang type and spring back. They are the genuine period mirror and some time ago I managed to get NOS convex mirror heads. I was very used to the flat glass but it was not easy switching frequently from my modern car with large modern convex side mirrors to flat glass. The driver's side mirror is fine but it is more tricky to see the passenger side mirror due to shape of the bonnet. Of course the passenger side mirror is essential when pulling in after overtaking and trying to avoid the very dangerous vehicles that undertake (electric bikes and mopeds around where I live).

Stephen

I've just trawled back through the various Construction and Use Regulations, post WWII. Yes I know, I should get out more, but Storm Claudia is outside....

In the 1955 issue, the regulation on Mirrors was simply:

Every motor vehicle shall be equipped either internally or externally
with a mirror so constructed and fitted to the motor vehicle as to assist the
driver if he so desires to become aware of traffic to the rear of the vehicle :

For the 1963 issue of the Regulations, cars were still OK, but 'dual purpose' was now specified for 2 mirrors minimum:

the following motor vehicles, that is to say, every passenger vehicle
adapted to carry more than seven passengers exclusive of the driver
and every goods vehicle, including every dual-purpose vehicle, shall
be equipped with at least two mirrors one of which shall be fitted
externally on the off-side of the vehicle and the other either internally
or on the nearside externally and the mirrors shall be so constructed
and fitted to the motor vehicle as to assist the driver, if he so desires,
to become aware of traffic to the rear and on both sides rearwards

As fitted to Ted

I fitted peep mirrors as well, as the wing mirrors are not that brilliant, and contrary to popular opinion I find them very useful - once you get them fitted securely.

Well, I have wing mirrors and mirrors by the quarter light, they are all as we say in these parts, "neither use nor ornament"
I recall Roy stating wing mirrors were good, as they bend in in strong winds, aiding with streamlining
I miss Roy, he was full of good ideas.

I used to have wing mirrors, think they were both Desmo types. They weren't much use really, and when I changed the wings I didn't bother drilling holes in them for wing mirrors, I fitted Mini style torpedo door mirrors.

Ah, now.
I have considered removing the wing mirrors and replacing them with torpedo side lights.

moggiethouable wrote: ↑Fri Nov 14, 2025 2:13 pm Ah, now.
I have considered removing the wing mirrors and replacing them with torpedo side lights.

More useful would be an indicator as well visible like a side repeater.

Stephen

With a van the rear visibility via wing mirrors is not particularly good. Yes I miss Roy too.

ndevans wrote: ↑Fri Nov 14, 2025 2:09 pm I used to have wing mirrors, think they were both Desmo types. They weren't much use really, and when I changed the wings I didn't bother drilling holes in them for wing mirrors, I fitted Mini style torpedo door mirrors.

They may have been Flat (plane). There's a massive difference in view.
That why I changed to Convex.

Objects in the rear view mirror appear further away than they are, apparently a characteristic of a concave mirror.
I notice this difference between my interior mirror and door mirror

les wrote: ↑Fri Nov 14, 2025 6:16 pm Objects in the rear view mirror appear further away than they are, apparently a characteristic of a concave mirror.
I notice this difference between my interior mirror and door mirror

Some moderns have that warning printed on door mirror glass

Now I am thinking of father Ted and Dougal.
"Dougal, this one is very small, that one is far away"

Im thinking of the bit in jurassic park, all you can see in the mirror is teeth, and things in mirror are closer.....

I don’t find my little round wing mirror much help. I miss Roy too, I’m sure there’s a piccy on here somewhere of him raising a glass of beer.

Conversely, I find my round wing mirrors very useful!

Convex glass makes a BIG difference. I have always found my wing mirrors a great help but they do need to be adjusted correctly