Repro '42 - '48 Cowl mirrors

[meric42]

I am considering buying cowl mirrors and have been doing some comparisons from different vendors, i.e. Bob Drake, Carpenters and C&G.

Carpenters are $100 each while Drake and C&G sell theirs for around $70 - $75 each.

Does anybody know if there is an appreciable difference in the quality on either of these suppliers?

I see that Carpenters come with the rubber pads whereas Drakes are sepatate and C&G don't seem to list the pads.

I have been dissapointed with 'Vintique' branded parts in the past so would prefer not to be supplied from that manufacturer again.

As always any/all advise is very much appreciated.

 

[TTTT8]

Just a note. Had them on my '48. Could not even see the passenger mirror from the driver's seat (the A pillar is in the way) and the driver's side is so low it was nearly useless. Took them off, sold them, put the stainless back on, and got the after market ones that attach to the door frame. That was my experience.

 

[millersgarage]

I bought some because they look great, but ya, almost worthless on the car.

 

[woodiewagon46]

TTTT8 is 100% correct that it is impossible to see the passenger side mirror when it is mounted on the car, don't waste your money.

 

[42guy]

Unless they have changed the design, they don't have the correct design for 42 or 46 cars. The mounting cowl does not the grooves in the trim. The mirrors are solid like 47 and 48 trim.

 

[Ian NZ]

I made up a cowl mirror for our 1947 Coupe, copying it out of a picture in the '1946-1948 Ford Closing the Years of Tradition for sales. data. accessories' book, and it works very well, as I can see everything. The mirror in this book looks different to the reproduction ones.

 

[Graeme / New Zealand]

I brought some from Drake. Good quality but about as much use as a chocolate fire guard for seeing out of. The one on the right side is OK but I brought them to fill in the hole where the cowl stainless strips were missing. I also got a pair of straight arm "peeps" to clamp on the door. The curve down peeps didn't give me enough vision when mounted on the top of door where they are usually mounted, probably because my new seats with fresh padding sits you relatively high. You can adjust the base of these mirrors to mount then lower down on the door. but the straight arm ones allow you better vision I feel.

GB

Ps the Drake ones have rubber pads.

 

[tiger.1000]

Ian.....now that's what I call a PROPER job !

 

[Aceman44]

I agree withe above comments on the right side mirror. I use a convex peep on both doors. They are acceptable. My cowl take off mirrors are for sale. I will ship to any USA location for 85$.

 

[peewee2you]

Ian, in building your own it's look similar to orginal, but would also be nice when someone does state they built their own, how and what they used in lieu of the original so that one may also build their own that would actually be of use when mounted on a their car. The one thing I could never understand is when the original mirror's were made why in tarnation they didn't make the mirror base match the width of the side moulding, drives me crazy.... just the way my mind works.

 

[19Fordy]

Nice job Ian. Please share your knowledge as to how you made that mirror.

 

[supereal]

The mirrors sold by Carpenter and other vendors are made by Drake. They are very good pieces, but the base is not quite as wide as the stainless strip they replace. Drake says that was always true of those mirrors. The driver side works fine, and the right side is not visible from the driver side, but it does match with the other mirror for looks. I have used peep mirrors on some cars, but the convertible will not accept them because there is no top edge on the doors.

 

[Ian NZ]

Ian, in building your own it's look similar to orginal, but would also be nice when someone does state they built their own, how and what they used in lieu of the original so that one may also build their own that would actually be of use when mounted on a their car. The one thing I could never understand is when the original mirror's were made why in tarnation they didn't make the mirror base match the width of the side moulding, drives me crazy.... just the way my mind works.

I built that mirror 40 years ago from the picture in the 'Ford sales.data.accessories' book as per the photo I supplied, when reproductions were not available. Personally, I now do not like the base on the reproduction ones, as it does not match the trim on my 1947 coupe.