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Fri Sep 05, 2008 12:26 pm

I have Ghia side view mirrors installed on my buggy (I like the look a lot) but they are impractical as I can't see anything in them. I've been interesed in the repro swan neck mirrors that are advertised on the Samba (http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=145959) but before I buy them I need to know how they attach. I've tried emailing the vendor and ask about the attachment (I would like to use the existing holes in my hood), but I am not getting any response.

Has anyone seen or have these mirrors? If so could you please share with me how they are attached (a picture of the back of the base would be wonderful)?

Thanks for any help you might be able to provide.
Bud

Here's a picture of what I have:

Here is what I would like to use (if I can determine how to attach them):

Fri Sep 05, 2008 6:49 pm

What you have - and what you want - look to be almost identical.
I don't think they will work any better than what you have.
Find a windshield-frame side mount mirror and you'll be better off for it. IMHO.

Fri Sep 05, 2008 7:22 pm

vw (o\!/o) nut wrote: What you have - and what you want - look to be almost identical.
I don't think they will work any better than what you have.
Find a windshield-frame side mount mirror and you'll be better off for it. IMHO.
I agree, visibility wise you'd be better off with these.

Sat Sep 06, 2008 6:47 am

vw (o\!/o) nut wrote: What you have - and what you want - look to be almost identical.
I don't think they will work any better than what you have.
Find a windshield-frame side mount mirror and you'll be better off for it. IMHO.

Guys, I agree they are very similar. The difference between the two are that my mirror "arms" are perpendicular to the base. As a result what I see in them is the rear fender. From what I can see with the swan necks is that they are angled up higher and may be longer thus allowing me to see above the rear fender and out to the sides better.

I did have window-mounted mirrors on the buggy when I first got it. You are correct they provide the best rear view perspective. However, I have a full top with side curtains. I would have to have the side curtains cut around the mounting bracket (which would allow water into the cabin). Also, by removing the Ghia mirrors I would have two holes on either side of the hood :-(

I appreciate your feedback and suggestions. I'd still like to try the swan necks, but I need to determine the mounting configuration first.

Thanks,
Bud

Sat Sep 06, 2008 9:20 am

Most of those kinds of mirrors have a removable mount plate retained by a small set screw. If the hole spacing is different, you could probably swap the mount plate from your current mirror, and if it couldn't be attached with a set screw you could undetectably JB weld the mount to the base of the swan neck. It appears you can reach the mounting hardware inside the hood, so a removable mount isn't really essential.