knighthawk Posted April 17, 2008 Report Posted April 17, 2008 I was just wondering what these cars (my '48 Dodge) had for side mounted rear mirrors ? and where they are mounted ? Quote
Normspeed Posted April 17, 2008 Report Posted April 17, 2008 Seems like the older cars were marketed and sold without mirrors. The dealers installed them as an option. So there may be more than one optional style depending on the dealer. If you check out any of the original magazine ads for new cars, they seldom show mirrors on them. The ad is from an Oct 1948 magazine, that must be the new 49 Pontiac. Quote
Normspeed Posted April 17, 2008 Report Posted April 17, 2008 Gotta be some experts out there. I'll bet the original was a door mount. Can you tell anything by the marks on the rest of the door edge? edit: I see windsor 8's post, looks pretty origninal! Quote
Young Ed Posted April 17, 2008 Report Posted April 17, 2008 There were mopar clamp on mirrors and also cowl mounted mirrors that replaced the belt line stainless on the cowl. Quote
Dodgeb4ya Posted April 17, 2008 Report Posted April 17, 2008 This "Factory Mopar" optional mirror will fit DeSoto and Dodge 1946-8. It`s a genuine Mopar option. They came from the factory on the upper line Chryslers -NewYorkers and Town & Countrys. Jay Fisher on the east coast reproduces them out of brass. Lotsa $$$$$$ ! Bob Quote
Don Jordan Posted April 17, 2008 Report Posted April 17, 2008 I can't get my mirrors to adjust. There are 3 screws on the back of the mirror and every time I adjust them just right as soon as I close the door I'm looking at the street. I sure would like to find some that work. There is a pair on the bay. I saw The Big Sleep with H. Bogart (1946) - he drove a Biz Coupe I'm guessing some where from the late 30s. I found it interesting in all the close up shots of the car there were no side mirrors. Of course he did have a flip down tray for his 2 .38s - Quote
Normspeed Posted April 17, 2008 Report Posted April 17, 2008 Don, you might try setting them and squeezing a drop of red loktite in the socket and let it set up. don't let it drip on your paint. Quote
BobT-47P15 Posted April 17, 2008 Report Posted April 17, 2008 Here's a pic of the cowl mount "swan neck" mirrors from the P15 parts manual. And, also, the type that clamped on the door edge. I think the clamp on kind were the most common. Some were round, some rectangular. I found a used door mount mirror at a swap meet.....it works for me. Probably a universal aftermarket item. Robin in London has some nice round mirrors that go on the door, maybe he can send a picture. Quote
Ed Griffin Posted April 17, 2008 Report Posted April 17, 2008 This was most likely added by the dealer. It's not a swan neck like those mostly desired but I like the fact it was where the stainless moulding went instead of the door. Only reason I say it may be dealer mounted is because of the potmetal pitting looks to be the same age as the spotlight. It could still be a aftermarket but it does mount on the cowl. Hadn't seen many of those. Quote
Robin (UK) Posted April 17, 2008 Report Posted April 17, 2008 Robin in London has some nice round mirrors that go on the door, maybe he can send a picture. I saw Bob's message so thought I should chip in... I have SoCal swan-necked mirrors mounted on the doors. I think they really suit the styling of the car. I had previously tried clip-on mirrors but found that they shake too much to give a clear view - and I really need that clear view when I'm driving through London (on the 'wrong' side of the road) with the top up and have to rely on the passenger side mirror so much! Anyway, here are a few pictures. Hope they help. Robin. Quote
builtfercomfort Posted April 17, 2008 Report Posted April 17, 2008 Here's the cheapest place I have found for this sort of mirror: http://www.wirthscustomauto.com/mirrors.html The quality is about what you would expect for the price - I've ordered from him before (quick ship, I got a turn signal switch) and the stuff was from China. But this was as expected and I was happy. I'm probably going to buy one for my passenger side and if needed, epoxy it into place after adjustment. Quote
Robin (UK) Posted April 17, 2008 Report Posted April 17, 2008 Here are the SoCal mirrors. More pricey, but nice parts. Robin. http://www.est1946.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=124 Quote
Young Ed Posted April 17, 2008 Report Posted April 17, 2008 I've got the SoCal mirrors on my car too. They look nice and I can actually see out of both sides. One of mine does have a little rust coming through from sitting outside though Quote
martybose Posted April 17, 2008 Report Posted April 17, 2008 I've got the SoCal mirrors on my car too. They look nice and I can actually see out of both sides. One of mine does have a little rust coming through from sitting outside though Interesting; both of you guys put your So-Cal swans farther forward than I did on my car. I used existing holes in my door, then had to turn the mirrors inward to see them. Next time I have the doors apart I may have to think about moving them! I'm getting a little rust on mine too; disappointing considering the price. Marty Quote
Young Ed Posted April 17, 2008 Report Posted April 17, 2008 I wanted mine forward to be out of the way of the vent window. Also I put them on while my car isn't finished in case I want to move them. Rather drill holes prior to final body work and paint! Quote
Robin (UK) Posted April 17, 2008 Report Posted April 17, 2008 Interesting; both of you guys put your So-Cal swans farther forward than I did on my car. I used existing holes in my door, then had to turn the mirrors inward to see them. Next time I have the doors apart I may have to think about moving them! Yes, positioned to let the vent window open fully. Quote
blueskies Posted April 17, 2008 Report Posted April 17, 2008 I have the So-Cal mirrors on my '50 too. I think they're great. hit reload if the pic doesn't show... Pete Quote
knighthawk Posted April 17, 2008 Author Report Posted April 17, 2008 thanks guys ! lots a good ideas,,now that you mention it, alot of new car photos in the '50's didnit show any mirrors either. I like the sample where the mirror is mounted on the 4'' strip of 'chrome' just ahead of the door, as I am missing this piece. Any suggestions as to how this is mounted ? Looks like the fenders are bolted here with bolts going INTO the fender ????.......thanks guys....... Quote
FMSPEED49 Posted April 17, 2008 Report Posted April 17, 2008 mirrors? we don't need no stinkin mirrors, jk, But really, I dont have any. Quote
BobT-47P15 Posted April 18, 2008 Report Posted April 18, 2008 Regarding the mirrors mounted on the cowl....somewhere I read a post by someone who said they were hard to see with, and the right side was pretty much useless in day to day driving. You might experiment by holding a mirror in the passenger cowl position to see if it is viewable from drivers seat. Quote
Dodgeb4ya Posted April 18, 2008 Report Posted April 18, 2008 Right side cowl mount mirror is useless! Bob Quote
bigred48 Posted April 19, 2008 Report Posted April 19, 2008 I have one cowl mirror on the left side of the car, it is terrible not because of the location but the mirror is convex the only thing it is good for is seeing if i forgot to put the gas cap back on. lucky for me traffic is few and far between out in the boonies where the car is. Quote
BobT-47P15 Posted April 19, 2008 Report Posted April 19, 2008 One other thing is -- you need a mirror that stands out far enough from the door to see around the "bulge" in the side of these cars. My first mirror was a little short of stem and did not give a good view. The current one is a bit farther out and I can now see better. Quote
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