Technical Outside Rear View Mirrors for 1940 Ford - opinions?

I'm trying to choose outside rear view mirrors for the wife's 1940 Ford Sedan. Leaning towards the bolt on "swan neck" style, but I'd like to hear some thoughts and opinions. Hinge style? peep mirrors? Pros and Cons? Where is the best place to get them?

This is our first "Hot Rod" so I'm reaching out to those with the experience. Thanks in advance!

 

I've used the Hinge mount such as they are. I have new swan neck type but haven't put them on. No matter what you use, they are difficult to see very much out of. No matter what they are small and difficult to see much behind you.

 

I've got "clip ons" on the doors, drivers is good, passenger side not so much, Swans in the trunk. This is on a coupe.
Paul in CT

 

I don't have a 40 car but I am working on a 41 truck, I am going with peep mirrors on both doors.

 

I use the swan mirrors on all 40's we do-placed properly they work well. Beware--there are different length arms. Also make sure they have two attachment points not one-can send a close up pic as well.

 

Thanks all!
olscrounger - do you have a particular brand or model you prefer?
Thanks again!

 

No one has mentioned those side moulding mirrors which mount between the hood and the door. I have been told that they are useless.

 

I've used a 4" peep mirror on the driver's door for years, but in all honesty, it isn't the way to go.

 

I can't remember where I got my mirrors nor what the brand was but they were very similar to those shown here on eBay. But mirrors were flat and I couldn't see crap so I found some curved stick-ons that were the exact diameter with a stainless steel Edge it worked out pretty good.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Chevy-Chro...079084?hash=item1a57bbdc2c:g:KTYAAOSwMmBVy0a9

 

I have one of DRAKE's cowl mount swan style mirrors on my driver side. They are useless on the passenger side.
If you adjust it properly it does allow you to see what's on your left. Not the best, as it's too small. 40's have a huge blind spot and such a tiny rear view mirror.
But, the mirror is better than nothing. What would be best is hidden a rear mounted camera with a portable monitor inside your car. Hinge pin mirrors were not an option for 40 Ford cars. Don't mess with your hinge pins as you will damage your paint. Plus removing the pins is difficult.

 

Hinge Mounts For My Vote... ..

 

I got mine from Drake. Driver side is good. Passenger side works but not as well as what I would like.

 

Here are pics--these are SoCal-note the length and sweep of the arms--not all the same

 

I use 4” peep mirrors on my Pontiac they are limited in what you can see, but the aim is key. Get the aim right and you can see what you need to see, like the garage door frame.

 

Are hinge mirrors originaly truck mirrors?

 

No matter what you decide on, make sure you can still open the wing window without bonking into it. Also, make sure the wing window does not block the view of the mirror.



These are So-Cal swan necks with a parts store blind spot convex mirror stuck on. Way better than just a flat mirror.

-Abone.

 

Thanks ALL - great input! Very much appreciated!

 

I was given a present of 2 motorcycle mirrors curved glass and powdercoated.plan is to shorten stems make brackets to mount .weld them to the stems and powdercoat black again after .mount with stainless fasteners /locknuts and a support inside the door.thats the plan!

 

You have think like you have a truck They make adjustable “innie/outies”.

 

Do they make any in 5 or 6 inch? I wouldn't want them to stick out like a sore thumb but I also couldn't see that well out of the 4 inch I had on my aviator, they were hinge mount.

 

I just can't bring myself to drill any holes in the door or cowl!

 

I know where you are coming from need to be pretty sure its what you want

 

Understand but on every one we have done the car was in finish paint when drilled-no problem if careful. Just did a black 40 std a few months ago--have done many

 

I have mounted swan neck mirrors on my 40 coupe in basically the same place as olscrounger did, and later added Fatties mirrors to them and have excellent vision from both sides. I took some pictures to compare the original mirrors on the swan necks and the Fatties. I will see if I can find them.

 

I like the mirror at the top of the door the best.

 

Another vote on the swan neck style. Careful placement and you will enjoy the fact you are able to get purposeful use on both sides. I also installed a “Fattie” on the passenger side.

 

Regardless of the style, order replacement convex glass from Hagan's. The convex glass improves the
field of view considerably. You can break the glass out of the existing mirror and use RTV to glue the
convex glass in place....

 

On my 36, yea I know it's not a 40, had the hinge mount mirrors. They were decent for what they were, I put a stick on convex mirror on the passenger side just so I could see a bit better. I never had a bit of trouble backing up or see what was around me. Mitch

 

I thought the original swan necks were mounted in place of the short cowl trim piece. I know people say the passenger side mounted this way is virtually worthless, but as for the driver's side I can't say. Mine are sitting on a shelf waiting for me to build my Tudor.

 

3 of my rides came with those stupid little clip on “peep” mirrors. Completely worthless. My dentist uses bigger mirrors. On the ‘35, I used the swan neck mirrors from So-Cal. On the ‘56 wagon, we went back to stock mirrors in the stock location.