This section covers the mirrors fitted to the MGA, interior rearview mirrors, wing-mounted mirrors, door-mounted mirrors, and period-style overtaking mirrors. The MGA left the factory without mirrors as standard, mirrors were optional accessories fitted at dealer level or by the original owner.
This means mirror specification on a given car often reflects the preferences of successive owners over sixty years rather than strict factory specification.
Factory-period mirror options
The period-correct mirror options for a factory-original-specification MGA are: Lucas 406, the most common factory-era wing mirror, with a round mirror head mounted on a chrome-plated stalk; Wingard 1C, an alternative period wing mirror, similar in style to the Lucas 406 but a different manufacturer's design; and Desmo Boomerang with convex glass, available from January 1961 onwards. The Desmo Boomerang is a period-correct option only for later 1600 and 1600 Mk II cars; fitting a Desmo Boomerang to a pre-1961 car is technically period-incorrect. The MGA could be fitted with one or two wing mirrors depending on owner preference. When a factory-fitted luggage carrier was specified, a wing mirror was always fitted alongside, the luggage carrier obscured the driver's direct view rearward, making the mirror essential.
Section structure, three sub-categories
The Mirrors section is divided into three sub-categories. Interior & Wing Mirrors covers interior-mounted rearview mirrors (fitted to the scuttle or windscreen frame) and wing-mounted mirrors (fitted to the front wings near the A-pillar). Includes the period Lucas, Wingard, and Desmo options. Door & Wing Mirrors covers door-mounted mirrors (for cars where the original owner or a later fitter chose to mount the mirror on the door rather than the wing) and additional wing mirror options.
Overtaking Mirrors covers competition-style large rectangular or convex mirrors for clear rearward visibility at high speed, typically specified for historic motorsport use or road cars where the owner prioritises road-visibility safety over strict period-original specification.
Competition considerations
For cars in historic motorsport preparation, large overtaking mirrors are essential for safe driving at competitive speeds. The factory-period small round mirrors (Lucas 406, Wingard 1C) give limited rearward visibility and can be supplemented or replaced with the overtaking-mirror specification for competition use.
For cars being restored to concours-correct factory specification, the period small mirrors are the correct choice, with care taken to match the specific mirror to the year of the car (pre-1961 or post-January 1961 for the Desmo option).
Ordering considerations
For factory-original restoration, choose the Interior & Wing Mirrors sub-category and select the period-appropriate mirror (Lucas 406, Wingard 1C, or post-January 1961 Desmo). For road use with improved visibility, the Door & Wing Mirrors sub-category offers better options than strict period specification. For historic motorsport, the Overtaking Mirrors sub-category has competition-style mirrors with larger reflective surfaces. Confirm the car's year and intended use before ordering, mirror specification significantly affects both concours appearance and real-world driving safety. .