So I went up to see Nigel at Motormech last night (thanks for keeping the workshop open so late!). I simply couldn’t wait for ‘Spidey-post’ to get Insy Winsy sent out to me. Even though they assure you on their web-site that they ‘don’t hang around’ (seriously, you couldn’t make this shit up!) I just couldn’t go another weekend without one. I plan to wash and wax it on Saturday you see and it’d break my heart to not see the web in the mirror a short time later, as per Barnacle’s ‘FAQ’.

Anyway, I was introduced to Insy Winsy who, unfortunately, was a little shy and wouldn’t come out from behind the mirror. Nigel said “they’re all like that when customers come in. It’s perfectly normal so please don’t think that means he doesn’t like you”. Fine by me I thought, as long as I get my stickyfoot, I won’t lose that £125!

You’ll note that it was a Sprinty mirror that he’d stayed in. Nigel wasn’t sure whether they have a preference or not, but we both thought it couldn’t be a bad thing! Besides, the only other wing mirror spider in stock was from another coloured Coop and we both figured that if you want a spider that can look after itself, it might be better to pass on a Porto one…

We then taped up the new mirror containing the spider to my existing one, I paid my monies and I was off. It was a bit odd driving with no wing mirror on the left hand side but just made sure I stayed in the outside lane all the way home so I didn’t really need it. Unfortunately I was pulled over by a police officer who wanted to know why on earth I had a wing mirror attached to the front of the existing one. Thankfully my certificate of ownership including the date proved my story. He apologised profusely for delaying my journey but did insist that I place the certificate in the window to avoid any further confusion.



It was really late by the time I got home and so it was dark by the time I got the chance to take a decent photo of the arrangement.



The fitting was still good though so it looks like it’s just a case of waiting now. I’m not too sure on the couple of years wait though! I’ve been thinking of rigging the wing mirror heater to stay on to tempt him over? In fact I’m now wondering how I will be able to tell when he’s moved over - any pointers Nigel?

Oh, on that note. Having read Nigel’s post, it occurred to me that my passenger’s side wing mirror heater had never worked on my car before. When I was prepping it for the re-spray last year, I found that the wires had been bodged before and after a 5 minute fix, I had it working again. How many spiders could I have enticed in only for them to discover the heater didn’t work? Real sinking feeling…

I’ll do my best to get regular updates on, but for now, here he is in the rather odd looking mirror-to-mirror set-up. If you look carefully, you can see a leg poking out. He seems to be quite chilled out which can only be a good sign!

Christ! how thick are its legs!

This has had me in stitches, glad to see the fccuk sense of fun is still strong

His spidey-senses are tingling!

Due to their sensitive nature, UK spiders often stay hidden while the owner is around, only coming out to weave a thick web a) at night or b) five minutes after you've washed the car and put all the cleaning kit away.

However, there will be absolutely no way of knowing when he's made the transition from the old Sprinty mirror to the new one - kinda like Schroedinger's Cat Spider.

I have to say though that Insy clearly took a liking to you - I think this was down to having another Sprinty mirror to live in - they don't like change, especially if going from a strong primary colour to a girly mauve (having said that, I think the Porto spider we have in stock could have grown into the more manly existence he'd have in your Sprinty, but alas, he'll have to stay on the shelf for now)

The biggest sign that he's happy is the dangling of legs from the small gap between the mirrors - it shows that he's right on the verge of making the crossover - never seen it happen so quickly before - have you checked to see if your old spider had left a good looking (but shy) Mrs Spider in your mirror? They're crafty little blighters and they'll often manage to sneak a bit of totty in while you're not looking. Be careful, as pregnant Coupe wingmirror spiders can get quite large and let their kiddies run all over the place.....

Happy to report my mirror spider is alive and well and getting quite plump.

Dear Mr Trappy - I'm afraid the adoption is going to have to be cancelled (you did realise you were in a trial period didn't you?...)

It transpires that the Sprinty mirror (and Spider) that you bought was in a box with a Porto mirror (and spider) and whilst they are generally quite solitary creatures, they had got rather used to each other's company, mostly because I haven't sold a mirror in ages and the box had been undisturbed

Anyway, you can imagine my horror when I walked into the workshop the day after you bought Sprinty Spider, only to be greeted by the unhappiest-looking Porto Spider - she's truly distraught at losing her companion

Have you ever seen a sadder-looking spider....



So - can I have my spider back please?....

Trappy,

A little science article about the Brazillian Wandering Spider, among other things... https://youtu.be/ZZ_BtZ-5O60

If it ended up in a coupe mirror it at least lives upto it's name! Bloody long way to go though!!

Is there any chance of a group buy? You'd have thought my RS specific aluminium expensive mirrors would be an ideal habitat for spiders, but they seem to have snubbed me.

Am I doing something wrong?

I think your environment may be too dry for them, suggest you think about installing a camel spider, however you may need a shoe horn, with a long handle