1939 cowl mirror??

50Fraud

50Fraud

Member
I like the '40-'48 Ford cowl mirrors that replace the stainless side trim on the cowl, and line up with the trim on the hood and door.

Bob Drake offers repops of the '40 and the '46-48 mirrors, but they have nothing for the '39. Can anyone tell me with certainty whether or not the same type of mirror was offered in '39?
 

The '39 Ford had door hinge mirrors as an optional accessory; I don't think the cowl mounted mirrors were offered until '40. I have the cowl mounted mirrors on our '47 Convertible and, from the driver’s seat; you can't even see the passenger side cowl mirror. On our '39 CS I have the door hinge mirrors and they are much better for rear vision as you can clearly see both from the driver's position.
 
As Vic says, you're better off with the '39 hinge pin mirrors. The right side cowl mirrors are non-functional, except for letting passengers check their hair and lipstick.
 
Last edited:
I just checked my original '39 Ford Accessories brochures and only hinge mounted rear view mirrors were offered and at the bargain price of $4.00 each.:D
 
50Fraud said:
I like the '40-'48 Ford cowl mirrors that replace the stainless side trim on the cowl, and line up with the trim on the hood and door.

Bob Drake offers repops of the '40 and the '46-48 mirrors, but they have nothing for the '39. Can anyone tell me with certainty whether or not the same type of mirror was offered in '39?
Click to expand...

I have dual spot lights on one of my 39 convertibles. The hinge mirrors hit the spot lights. I tried to bent them a little and broke a few. I ordered the 40 mirrors and have had them on for 30 years. The drivers side is OK
but have to lean over to see the passenger side. Looking at the mirrors the shape that replaces the trim looks more like the 39 trim then the 40.
I never compared vision with a 40. G.M.
 
My car is a flagrantly non-original '40, but I am using '39 side trim. Appearance and function are important to me, authenticity not at all. Sounds like the '40 cowl mirror on the driver's side only is the correct path.

Thanks for all your responses!
 
50Fraud...Glad to see you posting "over here". "Flagrantly non-original '40"...I like that descriptor, and I guess it's very fitting in this case. Go ahead and post a pic or two for the troops. I know what it looks like......and LOVE it. The work and thought that has gone into that '40 is beyond phenomenal. DD
 
I'm having good vision using convex mirrors. On my 2005 Tahoe I have 2 on each side. Rectangular on the mirror mount and a round one on the upper left corner of the mirror glass.
On my Model A, I have rectangular mirrors on the spare tire mirror glass. They are small enough that most folks don't see them.
 
Clem Clement said:
I'm having good vision using convex mirrors. On my 2005 Tahoe I have 2 on each side. Rectangular on the mirror mount and a round one on the upper left corner of the mirror glass.
On my Model A, I have rectangular mirrors on the spare tire mirror glass. They are small enough that most folks don't see them.
Click to expand...
picture.php

thanks that may have just brilliantly solved my problem
 
Best and most useful right side mirror I've found is the convex "peep" mirror that hooks on the top of the door. Can see clearly from driver's seat and wide angle shows much more than standard. I use one on both sides.

MirrorPeep2.jpg
 
I know Tony builds beautiful cars, but I don't know how much you drive them. If driving is a real interest then my opinion is the swan neck mirrors offered by several suppliers are a great choice. I have had both the cowl mount 40's and the hinge pin mount and they don't compare in looks and usefulness of swan necks.
 
Those mirrors look really great.I have a new set of them,but I never could commit to drilling holes in the doors.Ouch!!
 
I was very dissatisfied with the right hand mirrors offered for the older cars, pre '78, they left much to be desired when compared to the modern convex "fish-eye" mirrors.. ie " Caution Object Appear Larger"...
To solve this problem I looked through the fish-eye add-on mirrors offered for trucks.. I found a round fish-eye mirror that was the same size as the stock passenger side mirror on my '59 Ford F100.. I pealed the double stick tape off of the mirror, used clear silicone caulk/glue to attach the fish-eye over the original mirror... Worked perfectly..
I now use the same trick on all of the passenger side rear view mirrors.. I know the reflection is not perfect, however, I have learned that if I can see daylight between my car body/fender and an object on the right side, I have ample clearance...
The majority of '35 trough '40 cars all share the same problem when rear view mirrors are attached to the doors, left or right side, and especially the right, passenger side. The early bodies all "fatten out" from the cowl to the rear quarter panel. The Ford hinge pin mirrors do a good job of compensating for this body fattening, however, the long curved arms tend to look like they belong on a truck.. Actually the Ford trucks and cars shared the same type of hinge pin mirror..
The Volks Wagon hinge pin mirrors of the mid/late '60's worked very well on the '35/40 Fords..
I have the aftermarket "swan" type of rear view mirrors on my '39 conv. Not a Ford... I made brackets to fit where the wind wings originally bolted to the doors, added a convex 'fish-eye to the right mirror, rear visibility problem solved..
 

Attachments

  • 39 Plym mir.brak.3.jpg
    39 Plym mir.brak.3.jpg
    39.5 KB · Views: 36
Old Henry said:
Best and most useful right side mirror I've found is the convex "peep" mirror that hooks on the top of the door. Can see clearly from driver's seat and wide angle shows much more than standard. I use one on both sides.


MirrorPeep2.jpg
Click to expand...

I, now, see how you drive so much. There are TWO of you !
MIKE :)
 
V8COOPMAN said:
50Fraud...Glad to see you posting "over here". "Flagrantly non-original '40"...I like that descriptor, and I guess it's very fitting in this case. Go ahead and post a pic or two for the troops. I know what it looks like......and LOVE it. The work and thought that has gone into that '40 is beyond phenomenal. DD
Click to expand...

Many thanks! This is the car in question, obviously still in process. It was originally a derelict '40 Std coupe:





okiedokie said:
I know Tony builds beautiful cars, but I don't know how much you drive them. If driving is a real interest then my opinion is the swan neck mirrors offered by several suppliers are a great choice. I have had both the cowl mount 40's and the hinge pin mount and they don't compare in looks and usefulness of swan necks.
Click to expand...

Thanks, I appreciate your recommendation. I had a swan neck on the driver's side of my '36, and it was very satisfactory. I realize that the cowl mount '40s are lower, and probably useless on the passenger side. I may end up taking your advice.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top