1972 Granada Mk1 coupe build - Still going... 14-10-2024

[georgeb]

When I was looking at downsising my wheels the other day, I considered black and adding a body coloured pinstripe a la Oldbus' Merc, which looks good, but decided that the Epsom Green wouldn't give enough contrast and as silver (currently fitted) is, to my eyes, too bright, I've gone for the anthracite. Darker, but still a contrast.

Get your man to do one and see what you think, against the blue you've chosen it could look good.

[79cord]

I think a dark grey would display the wheels better where black can be lost in shadows, though must admit I still aren't confident about black outer rims myself, though pinstriping works nicely..
You shouldn't have to worry about 17" wheels looking small upon an older car anyway.
Adhesive stripes obviously should allow you to experiment & play around more with your stripe design, changing when you like. Certainly plenty of factory graphics aren't painted.
If you know what you want though the smooth polish of painted & clearcoated stripes is classy close up.
Guess that means high gloss black stripes rather than satin black.

[eurogranada]

So a little pre paint update. It's holiday season so the car is simply awaiting it's turn to get painted as soon as the painter is back from his holiday.

Still some work was carried out....

I hope you'll be more appreciative then most, cause this modification has not gotten very positive feedback so far. Personally I like what I have done. Not just because of the luxury and convenience it adds, but also from a styling point of view. Also although it may not seem such a difficult enterprise, a lot of work was carried out in the last weeks to make this happen. And make it right. A lot of variables to consider.

So what have I been doing? I have added ford fiesta 2008 upward door mirrors to my Granada coupe doors... Why did I do this? Well a couple of reasons actually. First I had a very hard time finding the original internally adjustable chrome mirrors. The set I finally managed to gather needed rechroming to look the part on an otherwise brand new paintjob. Apart from that, though they are the best looking original mirrors ever fitted to the granada, I always considered them to be one of the least pretty items on the car. The granada coupe is a sporty looking thing, it needed sportier mirrors in my humble opinion. So why not go for bullit style mirrors or something more period correct? Well, availability, pricing, looks and most of all functionality prohibited me. Many are just too small and round to be of any actual use. The coupe shape already makes it hard to judge where the back ends so lousy mirrors would not help at all.

As a continuing theme in my build is adopting more modern comforts like electric windows, central door locking, alarm, remote start, possibly cruise control, an ecu powered engine and automatic gearbox, etc. I had also thought about adding a blinker in the side mirrors or upgrading to electric units. So I started looking at modern mirrors and one of the two best looking types was from Ford itself. And it had some benefits: it was pedestal mounted and construction wise it fit the theme with a black base and painted lid. Also they were not just electrical, but were electrically adjustable, electrically foldable, heated and featured a blinker as well. And, they looked quite sporty without being small. The only thing holding me back slightly was the size of them. But comparison to the originals showed that though they were bulkier, they weren't really that much bigger. Also when my body shop had a fiesta in for a partial paint job and the mirror was just lying around, I was able to hold it up to the doors and car. The doors turned out to have the exact right curvature to be able to fit the mirrors without any mdification to the mirror base shape. That was a big plus. Also I liked how they looked with the car when held by it's side.

So I decided to investigate fitment. I bought some decent imitation mirrors, made a template on steel and paper. I checked how the mirrors could be fitted and how much the protrusion inside the door would be. Care was taken especially to ensure the mirrors would fit at the right angle without sloping down. It all seemed to support fitment.

So yesterday in an effort to fight off some of my burn-out, I bit the bullit and ruined my doors (well at least in the opinion of many oldtimer lovers) by drilling the three large holes I decided I'd need at a minimum.

So that's the reasoning, now here's the pictures. I'll be waiting for the gunfire....

Original versus aftermarket: the difference in size looks bigger in the picture then when held on top of each other



Making the template (the tip at the bottom of the template is for correctly setting the angle of the mirror)




Positioning the template/mirror for good looks and technical ability to get to the rear to fasten it in place






After drilling the holes and modifing the metal insert of the base (originally it needs 5 holes + wiring hole, I converted to two holes + wiring), losely fitted










With the car on it's lift I was not able to get a better shot showing the full car with the new mirrors so the pictures aren't from the best of angles. Still I totally don't think I/it deserves the bashing it has received so far.

So I'd like to also hear from you guys. And don't be afraid to hurt my feelings, that has already been done. So just be honest...

[HmmDK]

Well... At first glance i really don't like it, but then thought about them having side blinks, and the possibilities that opens up for with regards to removal of them from elsewhere on the front of the car...

But still... They look horibly big, modern and streamlined...

But i might change my mind when i see the car painted and out and about so that i can see it in the bigger picture. It certainly fit your objective of modernising it xD

and at the end its a matter of taste, and here yours are the only one that matters 8)

EDIT:

Just went out for a smoke and of course a car with those mirrors cam driving by, they look much larger in the pictures than irl, so i like them a bit more now 8)

[omega]

to me they look to down if that makes sense,i know you cant mount them higher they just look to down cant explain it any better.

[The Doctor]

Choosing unconventionally doesn't make it ruined.
Doing stuff that other people don't like, doesn't make it ruined.

At some pics, the mirrors do look quite big indeed, but on the front shot, they look like a perfect fit to me!
I can fully understand why you went for it, and looking forward to see the it in the whole picture

[meltdown]

Wow that's brave, at first I was thinking yee gods, but I think it was just the close-up pic that put me off.
Looking down the length of the front, I think you've pulled it off nicely.

I'm assuming it's going to go colour coded on top with black on the bottom or is it all one colour? (I'm leaning towards two tone)

I'm yet to catchup on this properly, but good on you sir for doing it the way you want to, if we all followed each other think how boring that would be.

[eurogranada]

Jul 15, 2014 9:13:19 GMT HmmDK said:

Well... At first glance i really don't like it, but then thought about them having side blinks, and the possibilities that opens up for with regards to removal of them from elsewhere on the front of the car...

But still... They look horibly big, modern and streamlined...

But i might change my mind when i see the car painted and out and about so that i can see it in the bigger picture. It certainly fit your objective of modernising it xD

and at the end its a matter of taste, and here yours are the only one that matters 8)

EDIT:

Just went out for a smoke and of course a car with those mirrors cam driving by, they look much larger in the pictures than irl, so i like them a bit more now 8)

They are only about 1,25 times as big as originals. And it is definitely the picture that makes them look huge. But the iPhone and lack of room to move about resulted in that.

[eurogranada]

Jul 15, 2014 9:51:48 GMT omega said:

to me they look to down if that makes sense,i know you cant mount them higher they just look to down cant explain it any better.

For one the mirror is hanging on without any fixtures so position is 98% of when properly supported. Wen looking from the front though, the black part of the mirror is level as it should be. As it is on the fiesta as we'll...

So it should be ok once painted and fitted!

[eternaloptimist]

I think they will work nicely - I like them.

[eurogranada]

Jul 15, 2014 10:04:55 GMT The Doctor said:

Choosing unconventionally doesn't make it ruined.
Doing stuff that other people don't like, doesn't make it ruined.

At some pics, the mirrors do look quite big indeed, but on the front shot, they look like a perfect fit to me!
I can fully understand why you went for it, and looking forward to see the it in the whole picture

Thanks for your honest reply! Also to the other posters!

I know it won't be everyone's cup of tea but I was a bit miffed at the negative reactions. It honestly doesn't look bad at all I think.

[eurogranada]

Jul 15, 2014 10:22:47 GMT meltdown said:

Wow that's brave, at first I was thinking yee gods, but I think it was just the close-up pic that put me off.
Looking down the length of the front, I think you've pulled it off nicely.

I'm assuming it's going to go colour coded on top with black on the bottom or is it all one colour? (I'm leaning towards two tone)

I'm yet to catchup on this properly, but good on you sir for doing it the way you want to, if we all followed each other think how boring that would be.

Yep, colour coded! Black base, blue body colour caps. Although I was also tempted to go all black on them by some.

[Clement]

This kind of thing usually isn't to my taste, but frankly if I saw the car in the metal you'd almost have to tell me they're there! They blend in nicely, and the safety bonus is definitely worth it.

[minininjarob]

I think the mirrors are an inspired choice. The originals look a little small to me compared to the not unsubstantial bulk of the coupe body. The shape you have chosen is swoopy but with an edge just like the body shape, and once painted with the body colour will look spot on. Maybe the bigger indicators may help protect the car from being side swiped on mini roundabout and the like!!!

This car will be one of those you look at when finished and just say "wow!", but it will take some minutes before you realise why it looks so good. Small modifications like the mirrors, done with quality and an eye for detail, will improve the look of the car without sticking out like a sore thumb. Too many people just throw something on because it was cheap or "the local scrappy had them" which doesn't always work. I reckon this will be a great custom car when finished - keep it up!

[falken256russia]

old mirrors much more harmonious, these are not for this machine .

[Xenocide]

I quite like them. I'd never have even considered them but I think they work. Good idea .

[SamJ]

I think I actually prefer them to the originals, when blended in with pain it will be quite a subtle mod. I have never like the square chrome "ears" you see on so many cars of that era, always look like an motorfactors parts bin special to me.

[mk2cossie]

Like most when I read the choice of mirrors, I was a bit dubious.
But, having seen the mock up pics I think they work really well Although possibly even better with just the actual base black and the mirror body all colour coded

[79cord]

My first reaction was Nooo, but you do quickly get used to them once the shock wears off & they don't look so bad. Will be interesting to see in colour.
I can also see what you mean about the original mirrors being a bit too square, & wouldn't have favoured 'bullet' style mirrors either. You had me thinking of the slightly more shapely streamlined/shrouded mirrors that many early '70's US fords had.

[concertocharlie]

wait until it's all done and painted, and folded when parked people will love them....