LH 1940 Convertible "Peep Mirror"
 

Hi,

I've been thinking and searching for years to get a decent right side mirror for my 40 convertible. I need the mirror when backing out of garage and at all times when the top is up. I have the cowl mounted ones now and like the look but the RH one is pure ornamental. So, a few days back I thought I'd experiment a bit.

I bought a pair of peep mirrors from a after seeing a guy’s 32 roadster with mirrors that I wanted. Well, the mirrors he sent were a little different and wouldn’t work well on the 32 so I put them away. BTW, I modified; heat, bent and polished the straight rod original type on my 32 roadster so it is now useful. The mirror is 3" in diameter and similar to this one. Could be the same one used to tap to 3/8-24".


https://www.speedwaymotors.com/Unite...or,419198.html

One of the nice things with the peep mirrors I bought is that the mirror arm was tapped to 3/8-24 thread. There was stud in the arm that was easily removed. I decided to use a 3/8” socket head Allen bolt and someway make a bock for mounting. I cut a piece of aluminum I had to about 7/32” X 13/16” X 2” long. I reduced the height of the socket head such that the Allen key socket was shallow, but still adequate.

I had to cut it out of a block so had to make three straight cuts with a hacksaw guided by some angle iron to keep the cut straight and perpendicular. Now onto the drill press to drill a not quite perpendicular 3/8” hole through and then 9/16” to within about 5/32” shy of the front side. I had planned to clean the bottom of the 9/16” hole with an end mill but found it was not necessary. I mounted the rough block to the stainless 40 windows frame, adjusted the mirror head and all looked good. Then on to the files, blue nylon 240 grit wheel, Scotchbrite, 400 grit paper and then polishing buffer.

I assembled with blue Loctite and used 3M VHB double side tape to stick to the window frame.

We'll see how it is on the road in a few weeks.

Glenn

Re: LH 1940 Convertible "Peep Mirror"
 

Looks good. I put clamp on ones on my 33 phaeton top irons and they give me a bit of confidence while driving. I also used 3" mirrors and a convex one on the right side. I didn't have to drill any holes for my installation.

Re: LH 1940 Convertible "Peep Mirror"
 

Thanks Deuce!


Yeah I didn't want to drill any holes either. I'm going to see how this goes with a flat 3" mirror but may change to a convex one, hopefully I can find one with the same mirror flatted shaft.


Glenn

Re: LH 1940 Convertible "Peep Mirror"
 

Hi ya Glenn,
I am a firm believer that the right hand mirror was offered only for aesthetic reasons. Certainly Ford knew the right mirror was useless. Plus, the right mirror was not offered to nearly the end of 1940 passenger car production.

I like what you did to solve the issue. That looks nice.

Re: LH 1940 Convertible "Peep Mirror"
 

Thanks Kube!!


Glenn

Re: LH 1940 Convertible "Peep Mirror"
 

May I suggest a convex self adhesive mirror on each side? You'll be able to find ones that will fit over your current peep mirrors.
I get good rear visibility in the 41 convert using them with the top up. Perspective and judging distance is a bit challenging, but you have a good field of rear vision.

Re: LH 1940 Convertible "Peep Mirror"
 

Thanks for the suggestion fortyonerag,


I have some convex stick-ons that I'll try. I also bought what I hope is a direct convex replacement mirror head that I bought from Ebay yesterday. I'll give an update in a few weeks.


Glenn