3 Panel Billet Rear View Mirror

OVERVIEW

When you''re tearing through the dunes in a sand rail or navigating tight city traffic in a classic Beetle, visibility isn''t just a luxuryit''s a critical safety requirement. The EMPI 3-Panel Billet Rear View Mirror is engineered to provide an unparalleled field of vision, effectively eliminating the dangerous blind spots that are common in air-cooled Volkswagens and custom off-road builds. Crafted from high-grade billet aluminum and polished to a mirror-like finish, this assembly doesn''t just perform; it adds a high-end, race-inspired aesthetic to your interior. The rugged construction ensures that the mirror stays steady even when you''re hitting the whoops or idling a high-compression engine that would make standard plastic mirrors vibrate into a blur.

This panoramic mirror system features three distinct glass panels housed in a precision-machined frame, allowing you to see from side-to-side without the distortion found in cheap convex mirrors. Whether you''re running a Baja Bug, a Manx-style dune buggy, or a full-blown tube chassis sand car, the 18-inch span provides a comprehensive view of everything happening behind you. It is important to note that this unit features 1/4-inch-20 threaded holes for mounting, providing a secure and universal attachment point for various bracket styles. Because it is built for custom applications, mounting brackets are sold separately, allowing you to choose the exact height and angle that fits your specific roll cage or windshield frame configuration. It''s the ultimate upgrade for the driver who demands both style and situational awareness on the track or the trail.

FITMENT

This is a universal high-performance component designed for a wide range of air-cooled and off-road vehicles. While it is a "universal" fit, it is most commonly utilized in the following applications:

• VW Beetle (All Years): Ideal for customized street cars and Baja Bugs where a roll bar is present.
• VW Karmann Ghia: Provides a modern, polished look for performance-oriented interiors.
• VW Bus / Type 2: Excellent for improving the rearward visibility in modified transporters.
• Dune Buggies & Sand Rails: The industry standard for tube-chassis off-road vehicles (Manx, Meyers, Berrien, etc.).
• Baja Bugs: Essential for off-road racing and high-speed desert transit.
• Custom Hot Rods & Drag Cars: Fits any application requiring a robust, 18-inch panoramic viewing area.

SPECS

Every EMPI billet component is manufactured to exacting standards. Here are the technical specifications for the AC857850-3 mirror:

• Part Number: AC857850-3
• Material: CNC-Machined Polished Billet Aluminum
• Mirror Type: 3-Panel Panoramic Glass
• Overall Length: 18 Inches
• Height: 2 Inches
• Width/Depth: 1 1/2 Inches
• Mounting Thread Size: 1/4 Inch - 20
• Weight: 2.8 lbs (Heavy-duty construction to reduce vibration)
• Finish: High-Luster Polished Aluminum
• Adjustability: Fixed panel housing (Angle determined by mounting brackets)

PRO TIPS

1. Selecting the Right Mounting Brackets

Since this mirror uses 1/4-inch-20 threaded holes, you have a lot of flexibility in how you mount it. If you are installing this in a sand rail or a Baja Bug with a roll cage, we highly recommend using billet roll bar clamps rather than simple tab mounts. Billet clamps offer more surface area contact with the tubing, which significantly reduces the high-frequency vibrations that can make a mirror useless at high RPMs. Always measure your roll bar diameter (commonly 1.5-inch or 1.75-inch) before ordering your brackets to ensure a snug fit that won''t slip during hard landings.

2. Managing Vibration and Clarity

Air-cooled engines, especially those with aggressive cams or solid mounts, transmit a lot of harmonics through the chassis. To get the clearest image possible from your 3-panel mirror, consider placing a small rubber washer or a thin strip of neoprene between the mounting bracket and the mirror housing. This small amount of isolation can act as a shock absorber, dampening the engine''s "buzz" and keeping your rear-view image rock solid. Additionally, ensure that the 1/4-inch-20 bolts are tightened firmly and checked periodically, as the vibration from off-roading can loosen hardware over time.

3. Perfecting the Panoramic Alignment

When installing the mirror, don''t just center it based on the car''s interior; center it based on your line of sight from the driver''s seat. Because the mirror is 18 inches long, it covers a wide area, but you want to ensure the center panel is perfectly aligned with your rear window or the opening of your cage. Once the center is set, the side panels will naturally pick up your peripheral blind spots. If you''re driving on the street, check that the mirror doesn''t obstruct your forward vision, particularly in Beetles with smaller windshields; mounting it slightly higher toward the roof line usually provides the best balance of rearward visibility and forward safety.