Analyzing the Le Mans Mini Marcos (6)

Another nice little clou of the Le Mans Mini Marcos' racing heritage has been unearthed by Seventies Car Restoration this week: the wing mirror mystery! While sanding down the left hand front wing the holes for a mirror came to the surface. However, it seemed that it had two different mirrors at some point. I took a dive into the archive to find out more about it, and you guessed it: it made sense. Have a look for yourself with some nice pictorial proof. 

Sanding down the left hand wing unearthed four filled-in holes. What were they for?

Wing mirrors, obviously. But did it have two mirrors then? It did, carry on to below to find out

Le Mans test day on April 3, 1966. The car does not wear a mirror on its left hand wing

And again, now clearer. This is taken on the same day: Le Mans test on April 3, 1966

Three weeks later: Monza 1000 kms race on April 25, 1966. There is now a bullet mirror on the wing

June 18, 1966: on the weigh bridge before the start of the Le Mans 24 hours race. Mirror is still there

But then - in the pit street just prior to the race: the mirror is gone and the holes are taped off

And the whole 24 hours race is driven without the bullet mirror on the car's wing

4 months later: Paris 1000 kms race on October 16, 1966: no mirror, holes are filled and painted over

1967: the car has been repainted in 'Bleu Ciel' with an orange stripe and still there is no mirror

But… in 1975, prior to being stolen, it does wear a new wing mirror with particularly large pole. This one is placed differently, slightly higher up the wing and further to the front. It fits in perfectly

Like this? Mores in this series here:

Analyzing the Le Mans Mini Marcos (1) - Paint layers

Analyzing the Le Mans Mini Marcos (2) - Holes for lights and details

Analyzing the Le Mans Mini Marcos (3) - Petrol tank, roll bar, pedals

Analyzing the Le Mans Mini Marcos (4) - Floors and roll bar