‘40 right mirror

[sid carey]

I’m not able to see anything out of the right outside mirror on my ‘40 convertible. It mounts on the cowl in front of the upper door hinge. It looks nice, but is totally worthless. I’m considering buying a hinge mirror (part #48-18403) for that side. I guess several of you are using this particular mirror. The mirror head is mounted on the end of a curved rod. Does this mirror offer better visibility? Sid

[Fred A]

Too bad about that mirror design. It is compellingly sleek but only useful to the passenger (left drive). Tough decision. Those swan neck hinge mirrors work well, both sides but there is that price to pay. I never see them in factory photos. Good luck: Fred A

[19Fordy]

Sid, Consider the process of installing a hinge mirror on your 40 as removing the OEM hinge pins might become a nightmare and damage your paint.

It sure would be neat if a discrete rear view camera could be installed under the rear bumper bracket with a small screen inside the car that could attach to the radio grille or under the dash.

[TJ]

Haven't looked at the new backup cameras for awhile, but I do know some are wireless and can be installed in the rear window .Probably a lot easier than fussing with mirrors and they are not to expensive.

[tubman]

I bought a cheap rear view camera a couple of years ago to test our 6V negative to 12V positive converter in my '51. I'm still using it.

[sid carey]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

I’ve been considering a camera, regardless of what I do with the mirror situation. I was considering using a small 12 volt battery for power. I didn’t know they made converters. Sounds like a good idea. But back to the mirrors, in looking at the one on line, I thought I would be removing the hinge pin, placing the mirror on the hinge, and replacing the pin. What am I missing? Sid

[tubman]

Originally Posted by sid carey

I’ve been considering a camera, regardless of what I do with the mirror situation. I was considering using a small 12 volt battery for power. I didn’t know they made converters. Sounds like a good idea. But back to the mirrors, in looking at the one on line, I thought I would be removing the hinge pin, placing the mirror on the hinge, and replacing the pin. What am I missing? Sid

We quit development of our "voltage booster" because it was too expensive since it had unneeded features. The main one was that it changed the polarity from positive ground to negative. Since just about everything these days is housed in plastic cases, you don't need to have the power isolated; just hook up the wires correctly. You can get them from Amazon quite cheaply. Here is a link to an example that costs $9.99 for three. In addition, the current draw on a lot of this stuff is infinitesimal compared to the old days, so you don't need much in the way of amperage out.

https://www.amazon.com/Aceirmc-Curre...255621&sr=8-20

[ssffnomad]

Camera not going to any help backing out of garage or changing lanes. If poster is looking for passenger side clearance.
Stretch

[slowforty]

The only thing worse than a cowl mount mirror is a hinge pin mount mirror. If you put a stick on convex mirror on the right side mirror it helps slightly. I use the mirrors that clamp on the door. unfortunately they all look like crap.

[19Fordy]

Originally Posted by sid carey

I’ve been considering a camera, regardless of what I do with the mirror situation. I was considering using a small 12 volt battery for power. I didn’t know they made converters. Sounds like a good idea. But back to the mirrors, in looking at the one on line, I thought I would be removing the hinge pin, placing the mirror on the hinge, and replacing the pin. What am I missing? Sid

Sid, You are not missing anything. Removing a hinge pin sounds like a straight forward operation if you have the correct tools, technique and luck. However the task of removing your hinge pin can be quite a difficult task, damaging your paint and turning into a project you wish you had never begun. Talk to thers who have removed door hinge pins to learn from their experiences.

Personally, i would not remove any hinge pin on a door that closes, opens, doesn't sag and has no other operating problems. Just my luck, the door would not operate as well once I after changing hinge pins.

[Lanny]

Sid, with the top down you can see pretty good, BUT with the overly large blind spot
the '40 convert top causes, right above the rear quarters, it is hard to spot a vehicle back there.
I used my original cowl mirrors and mounted them on my doors. (pictures below)
My '40 was a very nice car but not a showcar, and I wanted to be able to see what
was beside me and Not be an accident waiting to happen.
I could finally see the blind spots and they didn't look out of place there, for a driver.
I did put the stick on spot mirrors on over the original mirrors .

Click on pics to Enlarge

[47Monarch]

That will help backing up. I think his problem is checking to see if it's ok to change lanes. Same thing with our 47

[Lanny]

47Monarch,,, I don't think your post is directed, as an answer to my post right
above yours, but I'm curious, which post is your answer directed to ?



.

[Zax40]

The mirrors that clamp on the door seem to be the best for visibility. You could just add one to the passenger (right) side in addition to the ones you have and remove it for shows.

[Lanny]

Originally Posted by Zax40

The mirrors that clamp on the door seem to be the best for visibility. You could just add one to the passenger (right) side in addition to the ones you have and remove it for shows.

===============================================


Zax, looks like you have a '40 Convert in your avatar. See if you can
find an Upper door seam on your '40 convert




.

[Zax40]

Originally Posted by Lanny

===============================================


Zax, looks like you have a '40 Convert in your avatar. See if you can
find an Upper door seam on your '40 convert




.

I don't understand what you are asking. But this is the style I was referring to.

[19Fordy]

Zax40: Your 40 convert is a beauty.
The photo makes it look like the fenders are a different color than the body.
Is that so?

[Lanny]

Zax wrote: I don't understand what you are asking. But this is the style I was referring to.
================================================== ====

Zax, in your post above, #14, you say to use a mirror that clamps to the door seam.

There is NO door seam on a convertible.

Curious if you have a Close-up picture of how that mirror attaches to the vent frame ?



.

[Zax40]

Originally Posted by 19Fordy

Zax40: Your 40 convert is a beauty.
The photo makes it look like the fenders are a different color than the body.
Is that so?

That car in the photo does not belong to me. Just a shot from the web that shows the clamp on mirrors on a convert clearly.

[Zax40]

Originally Posted by Lanny

Zax wrote: I don't understand what you are asking. But this is the style I was referring to.
================================================== ====

Zax, in your post above, #14, you say to use a mirror that clamps to the door seam.

There is NO door seam on a convertible.

Curious if you have a Close-up picture of how that mirror attaches to the vent frame ?



.

I think you misread. I put seems to, not seam.

But yes, the clamp on style that fits a coupe or sedan will not work with a convertible. I want to say it's a Fiat style clamp on mirror than can be made to fit a convertible. Wish I had more info to share. I know it has been done, but I don't personally have any experience with it.