Frank Elder Posted December 4, 2008 Report Posted December 4, 2008 I bought some generic peep style mirrors because they were plentiful and really liked the looks of them, I just don't like looking into them! How rare of a find are the original swan style mirrors[Chrysler models only?] that grace the beltline, and what are the alternatives? Frank M. you must have the answer to this one! 1947 d-24 CC Quote
laynrubber Posted December 4, 2008 Report Posted December 4, 2008 I bought a pair of unique ones from ebay. Something different than everyone else's mirrors.....not sure if i have a pic. Quote
Plymouthy Adams Posted December 4, 2008 Report Posted December 4, 2008 Frankie..there are a number styles of peeps out there..short curved arms..straights.. drop 90's and long lightly bent models. Then you have the difference in the mirror glass itself, from very nice to tinted..I do not like the tint models myself..these degrade the reflection and when viewing the rear a glance is good a stare to define an object..not good..then size of the mirror head from 3 inch up to 5 inch..where 4 is most commmon and adequate on the average. Then when talking swan neck mirrors..you have the standard mopar with trim base that is stock for our cars..(big money if found) then you have after market generics here also..some are better than others..the better will have a mounting stud and a smaller not threaded position fixing stud to prevent rotation of the base. Again tint and mirror head size is an issue of concern. Then lastly but also useable are Lucas style medium length stud mount bases with 3.5 mirror heads of good clarity and also with a right hand mirror with correcting optics to view proper the rear..as these are readily available in aftermarket issue..they are esy to find and rather fairly priced. Selecting a mirror is NOT an easy job unless you are lucky to have all these on hand and someone to hold them in the selected position so to view first hand just what may or may not be best for your car and you. Then keep in mind that most all rear view mirrors for these cars for right side application is purely for cosmetic balance...be it all makes and model..I can attest that Ford, Hudson and Mopar fall in this catagory..sure some other makes do also but I rarely look at them at all....just not interested... Quote
Frank Elder Posted December 4, 2008 Author Report Posted December 4, 2008 Thank you, laynrubber, look forward to seeing your pictures! Tim, your information as usual is very insightful, you are 99.9 % right on the cosmetics, I know this sounds silly but in order to compensate for lack of clear field of sight on the left peep I applied a bubble mirror over the top of the standard mirror and got good results. Just wasn't willing to go that route on the drivers side. Too dangerous. Thanx, Frankie. Quote
Don Coatney Posted December 4, 2008 Report Posted December 4, 2008 I bought these a couple years back from JC Whitney for about 10 bucks each. Quote
Young Ed Posted December 4, 2008 Report Posted December 4, 2008 These are the ones I have on my car. If I get the right one adjusted just right I can see out of it. Its touchy though. Quote
blueskies Posted December 4, 2008 Report Posted December 4, 2008 I have the same mirrors that Ed has. So-Cal Speed Shop Swan Neck Mirrors, I think I paid $99 a pair. Not cheap, but they look like they came with the car, and they don't chip the paint off the edge of the door and jamb like the cheap clip on mirrors that I had previously. Pete Quote
Jim Yergin Posted December 4, 2008 Report Posted December 4, 2008 I agree with Tim, the passenger side mirror is purely for show. Cannot be seen from driver's seat. Jim Yergin Quote
BobT-47P15 Posted December 4, 2008 Report Posted December 4, 2008 I just have a driver's side mirror....a little newer style that I like....purchased used at a swap meet. Has a round head. The first mirror I had did not stand out far enough from the car to see well around the "bulge" in the side of the body. This one stands out just a little further....works OK. Quote
blueskies Posted December 4, 2008 Report Posted December 4, 2008 Here's a quick photo merge of my mirrors from the driver's seat. Hit reload on your browser if the image doesn't show up... The Swan Neck mirrors sweep up, so they can be seen out of the passenger window from the drivers seat. If I were to do them again on my car, I would mount them farther forward on the doors, so that they are visible out of the wing windows. Pete Quote
Young Ed Posted December 4, 2008 Report Posted December 4, 2008 For anyone who hasnt finished their car already I recommend mounting them anyways. That way if you want to change something you aren't wrecking the final paint. I was going to leave mine off until I got the car painted. Then I realized I was better off to install right away when it was easier to repair a hole if something went wrong Quote
blueskies Posted December 4, 2008 Report Posted December 4, 2008 ...Then I realized I was better off to install right away when it was easier to repair a hole if something went wrong... Sound advice Ed... When I mounted my mirrors, I had to "eye-ball" the location as best I could. I figured out where the passenger mirror had to go first, because there was only a small area where it could bee seen through the passenger window from the driver's seat. Once I had that spot located, I then matched that location with the drivers side. Drilling holes in my new paint job didn't make me feel that confident... but it all worked out fine in the end. Pete Quote
oldmopar Posted December 4, 2008 Report Posted December 4, 2008 If you not going for the total stock look and are running 12 volt. You could try a backup camera http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/Product/Pr-p_Product.CATENTRY_ID:2001391/c-10101/Nty-1/p-2001391/Ntx-mode+matchallpartial/N-10101/tf-Browse/s-10101/Ntk-AllTextSearchGroup?Ntt=backup+camera Quote
Frank M. Posted December 5, 2008 Report Posted December 5, 2008 Sorry it took so long to answer. The Cowl Mirrors issued by Chrsler for 46-48 models came in two types. One for Plymouth and the other for Chry-De Soto and Dodge,since they shared the same body. Both types replaced the cowl moulding, but Ply had two studs going thru the body and the other simply screwed on. The Ply mirrors are getting VERY hard to come by in New form,and I have seen them bring as much as $500 a pair and $250 and more for the left side alone. Jay Fisher ( founder of the POC ) remakes them cast in Bronze or Brass--I dont remember which. They look great,and are stronger than the originals,which were Pot Metal. Installing the ply mirrors is a job,as getting a flat and lock washer and nut on the studs thru the inside shell of the body usually winds up with a couple of sets of washers and nut down in the body. I had my hands pretty well cut up when I got them on my Convert,finally. They do look great tho, and well worth the effort. Also----Jay Fishers repops are fairly cheaper,last time I checked. Frank M. Quote
Frank Elder Posted December 6, 2008 Author Report Posted December 6, 2008 Frank M. Comes through again! Thank you. Quote
Brendan D25 Posted December 6, 2008 Report Posted December 6, 2008 I got to do it " Jeepers, Creepers where'd you get those peepers?":D Quote
Frank Elder Posted December 6, 2008 Author Report Posted December 6, 2008 That took longer than I thought it would:) ! You guys got to the gist of the matter rather quickly on the mirror advice, what a decision to make, they all look pretty good to me! Really would prefer to go with the swans, guess its time to save up again. Quote
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