1940 Ford Coupe side mirrors choice

S

steve fritz

Well-known member
I'm about ready to put a pair of outside rear view mirrors on my coupe project.
I see Drake offers two styles. The door hinge pin mount and the other is the cowl trim side mount.
Any experience or comments on either style? Pluses or minuses welcome based on your experience with them.
Thanks again!
Steve
 
I've tried both types on my '40 project, but finally settled on the swan neck mirrors BD and others sell. They are very attractive, compliment all build styles and allow the passenger mirror to actually be used by the driver! Yes, two holes have to be drilled for each mirror, but the results are well worth it, IMO. :)

Added below is a picture taken recently during the last "dry" build, showing the location of the bolt-on swan mirrors. The wing vents had just been removed for plating, but both drivers and passenger mirrors are visible through the wing vents from the drivers seat, resulting in good side and rear vision from both, jfyi.

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The so called "swan neck" mirrors are actually decent copies of the authentic mirrors Ford offered. They were installed in place of the cowl trim so no holes need be added to the body. The right hand mirror was not offered by Ford until late April, 1940. When properly installed, it is useless to the driver.
If "correct" is important to you, the "swan neck" mirror(s) are the only ones Ford installed upon a '40.
 
I also use the later aftermarket "SWAN type" mirrors. They are mounted on the doors much higher than the belt-line. They actually allow you to see what's behind & beside the car.
These mirrors are not required if you only drive your car off & on the trailer.
 
Steve, Stay away from the door pin mounted mirrors as they are very difficult to install. There are many threads about how difficult it can be to remove door hinge pins. I installed only the Drake driver side mirror because it was easy to install as it fit the original cowl trim holes AND it works well for the driver's view. I did not install a passenger side cowl mirror as it's useless for the driver and I didn't want a useless mirror it "sticking out" on the side of my car. Store the little cowl trim piece in your glove box so it doesn't get lost.
 

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I'd guess that coupe probably gets damn good mileage, what with ALWAYS going DOWNHILL like that. DD

303084
 
I purchased two of the hinge pin mirrors and the hinge pin removing tool. I had the convex mirror shipped with each one for the wide angle view capability. I know it's unusual to have the convex on the driver's side but it works just fine. Don't try to remove the hinge pins without the tool. The swan neck mirror just didn't provide enough of a view behind. The PO had saved the cowl trim piece so I just unbolted the swan neck mirror and snapped the trim back in.
I got all of this through Joe's in MA but the products are all from Drake.
 
Steve, I can't imagine that the '40 Ford is very much different than my '46, so I wouldn't recommend the cowl mounted, swan neck mirror for the passenger side. On my '46 it's almost impossible to see the mirror from the drivers seat. Just something to have someone break off.
 
You can place a socket larger than the pin head above and use a c-clamp to drive the pin out using an upside down bolt between the clamp pad and the pin. Sometimes a little persuaion helps as does a second pair of hands. I have read on the Barn about the pin removal tools breaking.
 
I used the Swan Necks on both sides. They really look great, but I can only really use the drivers side mirror to see anything. It looks kool having them both though.

Mike
 
I can agree with others. On my 40 coupe (late 1940 car), it has the swan neck mirrors on both sides. The Right side is absolutely USELESS, they is no way of ever even seeing it while sitting in the drivers seat.
 
I used the type that bolts to the door panel and I am able to see very well from both sides.

Fourdy
 

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I have BD hinge pin mirrors on my 40 coupe and I stuck a concave 4 inch mirror that you can buy from the auto shops on the face of the passenger side one to increase the view.
They work OK and I can see good enough for reversing, lane changing etc.
 
I've got the cowl type on my 48 both sides. Same problem as you others have with the type. I can't see the LH one though , my car being LHD. I got cowl mirrors as I didn't have the the short stainless trim that they replace and at the time you could no get repro trim.

GB
 
My car came with both types but the hinge one's were in place so I left them. Seems like it would be more important to see where your going then to watch where ya been ?
 
My dad’s 1940 convertible had a mirror clipped to the vent window edge. The car did not have a mirror on the hinge or cowl. Are such mirrors still available?
 
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