1974 Carrera Coupe - RHD, UK car

[Ferry Man]

For the 'G-series' cars of 1974 Porsche moved to using a new ‘flag’ mirror.
It was chromed and shaped... ...well, a bit like a flag actually.
This is a '74 Carrera (painted a wonderful colour called 'Lime Green') that is correctly fitted with one:

[Ferry Man]

However, they’d only tooled up for the LHD markets and the RHD cars had to make do with the old style round mirrors (that we’re all familiar with from the early 911’s).

This is a period press shot of a 1974 UK, RHD car (not a Carrera) and you can see the round 'Durrant' mirror.

[Ferry Man]

Here's another good reference. This is a UK car and retains the correct mirror.

[Ferry Man]

I was delighted to discover Porsche has re-manufactured the round ‘Durant’ mirrors.
It’s common knowledge that I’m really not a fan of the cheap reproductions that are around.
It’s difficult to get a proper mirror that is made of decent weight steel with secure joints and quality chrome.
The Far East replicas break easily and even if they are not broken they shake & vibrate when driving or just simply won’t adjust to the right angle.
Anyway I purchased a genuine Porsche part and it’s a nice bit of kit.
The pictures tell the story.

[Ferry Man]

[Ferry Man]

I'm not certain where they are manufactured but I'd guess they are probably made in Germany.

[TimB]

Paul

PM sent.

Regards

[Nige]

That just means the label was printed in Germany, the rest of it is still made in the Far East.

[Ferry Man]

OK Nige, a quiz, just for you.
What part is this? (genuine Porsche).

[KS]

Back of the rear reflector panel between the lights...

"Nige"

[Ferry Man]

Keith, you've spoilt Nige's fun.

But yes, well done, good knowledge, it is the rear reflector.

[Ferry Man]

rear reflector.

Not words you normally encounter with the early cars.
But for the new design of bumpers Porsche decided to fill the void between engine lid lower edge and the rear bumper with a newly styled plastic panel.

Now, my panel had become scratched, chipped and the metallic/reflective paint to the reverse was faded and flaking.
It’s a common problem and it’s really not possible to repair them.
It’s not even all that easy to remove an existing panel without damaging the fixings in doing so.

[KS]

Nah - if you look at the code for the photo it reads 'Carrera reflector'. That helps!

[Ferry Man]

Nah - if you look at the code for the photo it reads 'Carrera reflector'. That helps!

Naughty boy.

[Ferry Man]

Your only real option to get the reflector looking like new is to buy new.
So, I decided to buy one.

Only to discover they list at over £500 + VAT!

And there are no aftermarket copies.
It seems that’s because it’s emblazoned with the letters P O R S C H E and as Porsche’s lawyers are so effective, nobody cares to chance their arm in producing counterfeit versions.
So a genuine part is what you need and those are reassuringly expensive.

A new one looks wonderful though. It’s all red and reflective and suchlike, lovely.
What a fine way to waste a monkey of your hard earned.
I’m sure it will make a real difference to the final look of the restoration.
Well that’s what I’m telling myself.