Correct outside mirror on a late production 71?

[Tom F.]

My US market car (1971 T with a July 1971 date on the DOT/EPA door jamb compliance sticker) appears always to have had a square outsider rear view mirror. Could this be correct instead of the large Durant round mirror?

Harvey Weidman tells me that the car would have come with flat Fuchs 6x15, and not the deep style that are on the car. Probably, my deep Fuchs were installed in place of 14" wheels by a prior owner. So, it seems that, by July 1971, the trim was getting gradually changed to what we think of as 72-73 trim, making it easy to believe that the car came with a square mirror.

For others who may be into such details, my passenger rear fender does NOT have the indentation for the oil door that appeared on the 1972 models.

[schmidt]

Yes Iam into the smallest details, some would argue to a level of illness. The late 71 cars from about late March on have flat fuchs and from about May or so it appears the flat mirror showed up. The earliest date stamp recorded for a flat Fuch was 3-71 on a May production 911S coupe. I have seen many flat Fuch cars with a round mirror, however very late cars have the flat mirror. The late 71 is the best, the flat wheels, while not having the same visual impact, are better than the deep ones. The flag mirror is superior as well.

[jaudette3]

Yes, I am into the smallest details...

Jeff....

You need to do a data dump from your brain to a readable, more permanent format. Seriously, you're a treasure trove of information.

Cheers,
JohnA

[Bummler]

Jeff....

You need to do a data dump from your brain to a readable, more permanent format. Seriously, you're a treasure trove of information.

Cheers,
JohnA

I'll second that...

[X-Faktory]

Jeff,
I have a 71E with flat 6's. Why do you say that the flat 6's are better than the deep 6's? In what way? I'm always interested in these details too.

regards,

al

[schmidt]

They are stronger than the deep version with the spoke going straight with no curve from the hub to the side of the rim, however this I hope will never be needed by any of us. Also from 74 on the wheel was available as hub-centric with the proper matching hub-centric hubs also introduced in 1974. I will have to look but the safety bead was also more pronounced on the later wheel.

Thanks John, maybe you could convert me to a PDF. I will be down your way soon to see Tim.

[jpnovak]

My 71T targa was built in sept 71 (last 100 or so made). It came with a rectangular side mirror.

[RTincher]

While we're on the subject of '71 model year changes, can anyone (Jeff?) say when the engine grill was converted from chrome/anodized to black? I have an April '71 with a black grille, and have always assumed it was an error in judgement by a PO in the late '70's trying to modernize it. However, I read something recently that indicated that the changeover to black grilles may have occurred in the spring of '71.

Thanks for the help.

[schmidt]

No black grill on a 71. I have seen some of the last of the 71 cars that are original as have many others, never has there been a discussion of a black grill. As you can see from this thread people are coming out of the woodwork with flag mirrors and flat wheels. When I first told people of this year ago everyone told me I was full of crap......go figure, and now. If you think about it Porsche would make small changes most would not notice, a grill would not fit and was part of the update for the new model year. Its like 72 cars dont have black signal lenses.

[Eade Hopkinson]

Jeff,
I have a 71E with flat 6's. Why do you say that the flat 6's are better than the deep 6's? In what way? I'm always interested in these details too.

regards,

al

In speaking with Harvey about this exact subject, he said: The deep 6 heart shape was the first 6", and because of the constuction of the off sets, was very hard to mount a tire on. Soooo, Porsche came out with the deep 6, non heart shape, which was easier to mount a tire on. Then, to make mounting a tire even easier, Porsche came out with the regular 6". According to Harvey, that is why the evolution of the 6" wheel. Harvey, are you out there??? Is what I just mentioned correct??? Hope this helps.