I’ve been trying to do some research on the elusive 1968 Talbot bullet-style racing mirror that came on the “G” version in 1968.
Does anyone have the tech specs for this part? What is the size if the mirror (dismeter) itself, was the lens flat or convex, how long was the mirror from point tip to mirror, etc? I can’t seem to locate this info, so if so done can point me to this, that would be great.
If someone has a G and can measure the mirror and take a picture or two of it, labeling the parts measured, that would be helpful.
Also, if someone has a mirror collecting dust on the shelf and would consider parting with it, please send me a PM or contact me directly via email at kurahee@gmail.com
The link above (mc.net’s thread) talked about Raydot vs. talbot, and someone states that they are the same company. I have no idea if this is true, and when you look at the thread, you will notice it was started ten (10!) years ago, so maybe someone else out there has the answer.
I have found a few pure chrome talbot mirrors that look very close, but I have no idea if they are replacements or not.
Perhaps someone else out there knows some info or has found out anything in the last 10 years. Other than WCCC’s website, I haven’t seen anything else.
On a somewhat related note, Pete Brock (designer of the Cobra Daytona Coupe, among other things) had this to say about Talbot/Raydot mirrors:
In 1964 when the original Daytona Coupe was being assembled, we needed mirrors. As the car was being built as cheaply and quickly as possible (90 days from conception to the track) a couple of old “Raydot” spun aluminum mirrors found in a corner of the shop were chosen. They were never the correct mirrors to use on a race car but they were there. In fact there were few “race mirror” options in those days, so we bolted them on… and that was it. Done.
When the good folks at the factory were developing the Superformance Coupe, the chrome “bullet” Talbots were similar in appearance to the old Raydots and the only traditional “looking” mirror available in South Africa. The cost (and time required) to tool and manufacture our own mirror for the Coupe in South Africa was simply prohibitive, so the chrome Talbots were selected as the least objectionable solution at the time. I was never happy with them and made it my personal quest to find something suitable to replace them. Why? For the simple reason that bullet mirrors are almost worthless. You can’t see anything out of them (except for the rear fender) and that’s dangerous!
Raydot is original, and I hear the same UK company owns both companies these days. Not sure if anything is available. As far as I know it’s original or nothing. They made more Hurst S/C Ramblers and Hurst Olds Cutlasses (not 442’s) with those mirrors than XR7-G’s, but that does not make them cheap to buy.
Thanks for the pics and measurements. They are a great help.
Can anyone tell me the distance between the two holes in the base for the screws? Center to center would probably be the appropriate measurement.
Also, the Wccc catalogue page for the repro has two hidden screws in the base. If anyone has one of these mirrors apart and can tell me what the distance between these two holes is would also be helpful.
Finally, for those of you that have out this mirror on your car, retrofitting it onto a car that did not have the mirror for one reason or another… Did the holes line up with the std. Rectangular mirror, or did new holes need to be drilled?
Thanks all! I have learned a ton about these mirrors!
It screws on to the existing Rivnut fasteners interchangeably with the original Cougar mirror. Since every XR7-G began life as a regular XR-7 the mirror was already installed. So the distance between screw holes on the base is identical to any '68 Cougar.
