Mirrors & Spot Light - Possible Dumb Idea

[Norm's Coupe]

Reg posted the picture of this DeSoto in another thread. However, looking at it gave me an idea. May be a dumb idea but here it is anyway.

I have that pair of Sally Hill modern mirrors that I had planned to paint and put on the car bacause they did work well when holding them up in position. However, looking at the DeSoto I could possibly use my dummy spot lights as rearview mirrors. The only thing I would need to do is change the spot light lens to a mirror on both sides. Flat on the drivers and convex on the passengers side. Will have to do another time study. I think using the dummy spot lights may look better because they would be more period than the Sally Hill mirrors. That is if the spot light mirror idea works.

Any thoughts on my dumb idea? With this post I also hit Zen Master. Think that entitles me to have a dumb idea sometimes.

[blueskies]

That is if the spot light mirror idea works.

Maybe just pick up the spots that have the built in mirror? They work as a fully functional spot, but have the mirror too. I like 'em because you can adjust the mirror with the spot handle from inside the car...

Pete

[Norm's Coupe]

Pete,

That's too easy, don't you know by now we have to make things hard. Really though, while I like the spots on the outside of cars, I do not like the handles messing up the interior of the car. So, the real thing is out of the question.

[Ed Griffin]

Norm, that doesnt sound dumb at all. Matter of fact it would make the car look cleaner without the mirrors and only having the spot lights. I would imagine you would have to have them made unless you got lucky but that wouldnt be a big deal. With the size being so much larger I dont see why you would even need the convex mirror on the passenger side but thats your choice as the rest would be. Good idea, get some use outta them dummies

[blueskies]

...I like the spots on the outside of cars' date=' I do not like the handles messing up the interior of the car. So, the real thing is out of the question.[/quote']

I suppose I'm in the other camp on the spots. I don't like fake stuff on cars. To my way of thinking, dummy spots are, well, dumb.

That said, I think if you put the mirrors in them it would give them some functionality that they would otherwise lack.

Pete

[BobT-47P15]

But will the spotlight end up in a dumb looking position????

[Norm's Coupe]

Ed,

I'll have to check the passenger side first. Not sure if I'll be able to see that side without some interference. The spot may be a little too forward to get a good line of view. I don't have the dummy spots on yet. They are still in the box. I'll just have the wife hold one up there to see if I have a clear view to it before I do anything. I have a place that cuts mirrors about 2 or 3 miles from me, so fitting the glass will not be a problem if I get that far.

The real spots that have the mirrors do extend further from the rear of the spot housing. That may be why those work. The dummies may not extend far enough back to get the clear view.

Pete,

I don't have a problem with using dummy spots or other similar things on a car just for looks. A lot of people run with dummy spots as well as the drag pipes not being hooked up. By the way, I have a pair of those hanging in the basement waiting to be put on the coupe too. They too will be just for looks though. Have no plans of hooking them to the exhaust system.

[Norm's Coupe]

But will the spotlight end up in a dumb looking position????

Bob,

Actually, if you look at the picture of the DeSoto, it looks like those are facing backwards. That's what gave me the idea. Don't think it would look like a dumb position. In a sense they will look like Bullet Mirrors which may look kind of cool. All you need to do to see how they would look is swing yours around that way, then stand in front or to the side of the car.

Of course you vent shield would probably be in your line of vision. I don't have those on my coupe.

[Plymouthy Adams]

I believe if you check the law..dummy or not the lens must be facing that way to prevent a ticket..While moving on highway...though I doubt they would write for a dummy light..is it worth the hassle of being pulled and having to prove the fact...

[Norm's Coupe]

Tim,

Not sure, but believe that law only pertains to when the light is turned on. Like when you see people running around with a broken tail light lens and it is showing a white light.

[Plymouthy Adams]

Norm..got my butt lectured when I had one on my 41 Dodge truck...not worth the fuss in my book...

[BobT-47P15]

You could probably position the light a little better and without the wind things you could see on the driver's side. But I don't think I like the look myself. Might look better using a real, smaller spotlight like the one on the DeSoto in the photo. I am going to look for a real spot at an upcoming local swapmeet the first of June. To see if you can cut off the shaft and make it stay in place like a dummy.

[PatS....]

Maybe when you're finished, you could write a book?

"Spotlites for Dummies"

Make a fortune

[Norm's Coupe]

You could probably position the light a little better and without the wind things you could see on the driver's side. But I don't think I like the look myself. Might look better using a real, smaller spotlight like the one on the DeSoto in the photo. I am going to look for a real spot at an upcoming local swapmeet the first of June. To see if you can cut off the shaft and make it stay in place like a dummy.

Thanks for switching your spots around Bob. You just saved me the trouble of getting mine out of the box. I'm sure it would work out on the drivers side but with that picture of them on the passengers side I can see, I would not be able to see the mirror on that side. So.........like I said. Dumb idea.

[BobT-47P15]

You're welcome, Norm.

Now, are you going to check out your new Sally Struthers streamlined

mirrors??

[Norm's Coupe]

That's right Bob. I already know the Sally Hill mirrors will work great. Tried them already. Will go ahead and paint them to match the car now, then mount them. I'm done playing with mirrors after that.