Retro Fit Vent Windows

[davery]

I have an 85 and would like to mount after market side mirrors on the doors. Could the vent windows from a 1979 fit my 85? Would I need to do any mods?

Thanks

[BEEK]

direct replacement

[vandor]

Yes, the complete assembly including the door window's track is a direct replacement.
There is a lot of adjustment in the vent window assembly, so make measurements on where the old one was before you remove it.

[davery]

Yes, the complete assembly including the door window's track is a direct replacement.
There is a lot of adjustment in the vent window assembly, so make measurements on where the old one was before you remove it.

Great. I will go ahead and buy the set I have been looking at. Now I just need to decide on the side mirrors. I am looking at Vitaloni Sebrings, but am unsure on how to mount them.

[davery]

Yes, the complete assembly including the door window's track is a direct replacement.
There is a lot of adjustment in the vent window assembly, so make measurements on where the old one was before you remove it.

Great. I will go ahead and buy the set I have been looking at. Now I just need to decide on the side mirrors. I am looking at Vitaloni Sebrings, but am unsure on how to mount them.

Ok, it seems the set I was looking at does not have the latches. Since they seem to be very expensive, is it possible to remove the glass from these vent windows and put them in my 85? I am replacing the side mirrors and need to replace the vent glass, which has the mirrors attached. I don't really care if the vent windows open, as they do not open now. Since it is a flat piece of glass I could have a piece cut and installed, but I thought this might be cheaper. If this is possible, how hard would it be? Thanks for all the help.

[vandor]

> Since they seem to be very expensive,

Used vent windows should not be expensive.

> is it possible to remove the glass from these vent windows and put them in my 85?

Not likely.

> Since it is a flat piece of glass I could have a piece cut and installed,

That might be easiest.

[divace73]

my curiosity has got the better of me, why would you want to remove the factory installed mirror to put holes in the door?? And if placed in the wrong sport my even impair vision?

[davery]

my curiosity has got the better of me, why would you want to remove the factory installed mirror to put holes in the door?? And if placed in the wrong sport my even impair vision?

I hate the 80's style mirrors on my car. And they do not work very well. And about holes in the door, every Fiat Spider until 1983 had mirrors mounted on the door. Look at the picture at the top of this page. Don't the mirrors look out of place? Maybe it's just me.

[davery]

> Since they seem to be very expensive,

Used vent windows should not be expensive.

.

The ones I was looking at were $50 for both, without the latches. As near as I could tell, the latches would be $50-60 each.

[divace73]

my curiosity has got the better of me, why would you want to remove the factory installed mirror to put holes in the door?? And if placed in the wrong sport my even impair vision?

I hate the 80's style mirrors on my car. And they do not work very well. And about holes in the door, every Fiat Spider until 1983 had mirrors mounted on the door. Look at the picture at the top of this page. Don't the mirrors look out of place? Maybe it's just me.

I do agree those 80's style of mirror is a bad flash back from the era (I can't believe they are on ferrari's as well), however the 'appear' more practical (I say appear cause I have never driven a spider with them).
I'm not too keen on the black flag type either.
When I got my spider, it had some horrible after market mirror that would move every time I closed the door.
I got my self a set of lovely chrome (plastic chrome) units I picked up from Italy but were that small I couldn't see out of them. I have more recently installed the TEX brand and am really happy with the results.

Before with small mirror


After with TEX mirrors

I got the convex anti dazzle type, they are fantastic (compared to my previous ones)
You can always go for the early spider style (personally I never much licked them but do like the type that came out of the coupe and are rare like hens teeth)

[davery]

I do agree those 80's style of mirror is a bad flash back from the era (I can't believe they are on ferrari's as well), however the 'appear' more practical (I say appear cause I have never driven a spider with them).
I'm not too keen on the black flag type either.
When I got my spider, it had some horrible after market mirror that would move every time I closed the door.
I got my self a set of lovely chrome (plastic chrome) units I picked up from Italy but were that small I couldn't see out of them. I have more recently installed the TEX brand and am really happy with the results.

I don't like the flag type either. I do not want a retro look and wanted something that might update the car a bit. I first looked at Miata mirrors, but did not like them. And then I saw these on a spider from a Buick:



I kind like the way it looks and can get a new pair for about %50. Then I found the Vitaloni Sebrings, the same as the Abarth Spider, and was thinking of mounting them to the door. I first thought of making a base for them, as they sit kind of low on the door, but did not want to make this more complicated than it needs to be. I really do not use the side mirrors much anyway, as the ones I have have not worked in years. I can not adjust them, they just droop down.

[ga.spyder]

I couldnt agree with you more on the mirrors on the Pinin badged cars.They look ridiculous on the vent windows! As nice a job as they did on the storage shelf and console on the 83-85 cars,it appears the side mirrors were a bad styling afterthought.I love the Vitaloni Sebrings.

[davery]

I couldnt agree with you more on the mirrors on the Pinin badged cars.They look ridiculous on the vent windows! As nice a job as they did on the storage shelf and console on the 83-85 cars,it appears the side mirrors were a bad styling afterthought.I love the Vitaloni Sebrings.

I love the Sebrings as well, but do not think they will be much use. But that's OK with me.

[divace73]

I have had a though to mount a VW beetle type chrome mirror in place of the plastic unit??

[davery]

I have had a though to mount a VW beetle type chrome mirror in place of the plastic unit??

It's funny you mention that. It seems a lot of the Vitaloni Sebrings end up on beetles.