Summershandy Posted March 30, 2018 Share Posted March 30, 2018 When I took my '54 Pontiac out for it's first and only ride last summer (in restoration mode), I found myself looking out the door window for a mirror. Guess that comes from having a truck as my daily. Now that I step back, my ride looks like it's missing something and I think one or both doors could use mirrors. I've looked at MANY styles and positions of them. I didn't like the peeps when I first saw them but now they are growing on me. What I really like are clip on install. I cringe thinking of drilling an aftermarket mirror only to find it doesn't look good. The peeps are at least movable AND removable. I've got my eye on the convex ones. Apparently a lot of owners say it really improves functionality. Feel free to chime in if you've got any ideas or suggestions! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
60FlatTop Posted March 30, 2018 Share Posted March 30, 2018 I never cared for the peep mirrors. The '48 Packard I just sold had a round mirror mounted on the spotlight. I liked the adjustment. It also has a parabolic rear view mirror at the windshield. I liked that for backing up. All my other stuff is newer now. If I had an older car and found a nice door mirror, putting a magnet in the base and slithering another magnet up inside the door might be the way to go. Bernie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Summershandy Posted March 30, 2018 Author Share Posted March 30, 2018 43 minutes ago, 60FlatTop said: putting a magnet in the base Actually thought of that too....thanks Bernie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buick35 Posted March 30, 2018 Share Posted March 30, 2018 I bought an MGB about a year ago and it has round mirrors on the fenders instead of the doors. It took awhile to get use to. I kinda got use to the backup camera in our newer car. Greg. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JACK M Posted March 31, 2018 Share Posted March 31, 2018 Some early cars are narrower in the front and peep mirrors need to be extended to do any good. Don't settle for a short arm if you need a long one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Henderson Posted March 31, 2018 Share Posted March 31, 2018 The negative with the clip-on or clamp-on mirrors is that they often end up chipping the paint where they are attached. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capngrog Posted March 31, 2018 Share Posted March 31, 2018 I don't even know what a "peep mirror" is. I do have "side view" mirrors on all of my cars since it is a safety issue with me. I've found parabolic mirrors to be so misleading as to be beyond useless ... dangerous. I have several cars, dating from 1947 onwards, and I've fitted side view mirrors to all of them. I don't think that they look too bad, but they sure are handy when driving on a multi-lane highway. Cheers, Grog Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Summershandy Posted March 31, 2018 Author Share Posted March 31, 2018 1 hour ago, Dave Henderson said: they often end up chipping the paint where they are attached. something to consider thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
414TATA Posted March 31, 2018 Share Posted March 31, 2018 I'm with Grog.. I don't know what a peep mirror is either. Maybe that's what mine are. If so the mirror area is very small (round 3 1/2" diameter ) and are extremely difficult to adjust. However once adjusted they do the job and I believe are correct for the era of the car. I bought mine from Bob's at a reasonable price. Good luck Wayne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Bamford Posted March 31, 2018 Share Posted March 31, 2018 I didn't recognize the term either but Google seems to know... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 31, 2018 Share Posted March 31, 2018 "Google" is almost always your friend. I had two "peep" mirrors on my Pontiac until I installed my "wind wings". The right one interfered with the mirror so I removed the "peep" mirror and put a very small stick on convex mirror on the outer top of the right wind wing. Has worked great for over 50 years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J.H.Boland Posted March 31, 2018 Share Posted March 31, 2018 19 hours ago, Dave Henderson said: The negative with the clip-on or clamp-on mirrors is that they often end up chipping the paint where they are attached. I installed a pair of peep mirrors on my '40 Packard.I'd rather lose a little paint where they attach than get sideswiped and lose a fender ! Small as they are, they are very helpful backing into the garage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spinneyhill Posted March 31, 2018 Share Posted March 31, 2018 I have clamp-ons at the moment on my 1930 Dodge Brothers, to see if I like them. Other than difficult adjustment, the biggest problem is that I keep bashing them with my shoulder in the garage, so I drape an old tea towel or something over them to improve visibility. To save the paint I made gaskets out of gasket paper to put under them. In the longer term I'll probably go with hinge mounts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cahartley Posted March 31, 2018 Share Posted March 31, 2018 Keep in mind the more forward the mirrors are the smaller the field of vision will be. Door mount them if at all possible. Have a friend try various positions on the passenger side while you are in the driver seat so you get it right the FIRST time........don't ask how I know....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Summershandy Posted March 31, 2018 Author Share Posted March 31, 2018 12 minutes ago, cahartley said: Keep in mind the more forward the mirrors are the smaller the field of vision will be Yes, I read closer to the face the better. I'm going with the convex ones. I think they may work more on the front of the door which isn't really that much farther from my face. I like the lower profile and the better look than top of the door. At least they're movable. 28 minutes ago, Spinneyhill said: problem is that I keep bashing them with my shoulder in the garage, Know what you mean. I've got mirrors on the ends of my drag bars on my bobber motorcycle. Constantly banging in to them! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Summershandy Posted April 15, 2018 Author Share Posted April 15, 2018 I received my mirrors today. I really do like them, or should I say it. I have to option to move or remove them. Definitely glad I went with convex. Also glad they fit where I wanted them because they are no other spots for them. The door is either too tight of a fit or the chrome trim gets in the way. Also remember reading that the passenger side is virtually useless. They were right. So I either run with one or both for aesthetic looks. I am also impressed with the quality for the price. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Summershandy Posted April 15, 2018 Author Share Posted April 15, 2018 Forgot to mention they are clamp on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J.H.Boland Posted April 15, 2018 Share Posted April 15, 2018 Here's the weirdest peep mirror I've seen.It's called the Passing Eye. Properly adjusted,you can look around the big rig in front of you to see if it's safe to pass.They were apparently banned because they caused more accidents than they prevented ! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Summershandy Posted April 15, 2018 Author Share Posted April 15, 2018 Wow cool Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SC38dls Posted April 15, 2018 Share Posted April 15, 2018 (edited) 1 hour ago, J.H.Boland said: Here's the weirdest peep mirror I've seen.It's called the Passing Eye. Properly adjusted,you can look around the big rig in front of you to see if it's safe to pass.They were apparently banned because they caused more accidents than they prevented ! We had one of these on a 50 Dodge when we moved from Chicago to Denver. I remember my dad driving on Rt 6 a 2 lane road at the time and using that to pass big rigs. My mom kept saying how can you just pull out without looking and dad would say the mirrors let me see what coming. I’m still here so it must have worked ok. Have fun. Dave S Edited April 15, 2018 by SC38DLS (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keiser31 Posted April 15, 2018 Share Posted April 15, 2018 Ha....when I first saw passing eye mirrors, I did not understand how they worked. I thought they were some kind of automotive joke. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Summershandy Posted April 15, 2018 Author Share Posted April 15, 2018 At first I didn't understand but just got it....that's crazy! Most our highways here are 2 lane and transports galore so you get quite good at weaving in and out to pass....that and a powerful overdrive! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 15, 2018 Share Posted April 15, 2018 29 minutes ago, Summershandy said: that and a powerful overdrive! What is a powerful overdrive? I always thought a transmission, an overdrive or a rear end on a vehicle just transmitted what power was provided by the engine. All the overdrive does is move the torque curve from one road speed to another. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Summershandy Posted April 15, 2018 Author Share Posted April 15, 2018 1 hour ago, Tinindian said: What is a powerful overdrive? Just another name for "passing gear" we used years ago. That was the word I was looking for. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JACK M Posted April 15, 2018 Share Posted April 15, 2018 The passing eye is on my list of things to look for at swap meets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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